Some new parents are surprised to find that feeding their newborn may not be as simple as they thought. You may experience minor problems with both breastfeeding and formula feeding, and occasionally babies have certain health conditions that cause them to have trouble eating, keeping food down and gaining weight. If you have any concerns about your baby's feeding habits, or if you are afraid that she is not gaining weight properly, talk to her pediatrician promptly.
Breastfeeding Problems
Many new moms find breastfeeding difficult and painful during the first few days or weeks. If you have trouble breastfeeding your baby, seek the help of a lactation consultant. Some problems that might occur in the early weeks of breastfeeding include engorgement, nipple soreness, not enough milk and infections. Nipple soreness is often the result of a poor latch or poor positioning; a lactation consultant can help you position your baby better and can check for anatomical abnormalities, such as inverted nipples or your baby's shortened frenulum, and can give you tips on overcoming these obstacles. If you think that you have a breast infection, seek medical help promptly.
Formula Feeding Problems
If you cannot breastfeed your baby, the next best food for her is infant formula. Most infant formula is made with cow's milk, which can cause allergic reactions in some babies. If she is vomiting more than occasionally spitting up, has diarrhea or has a rash, take your baby to the pediatrician to evaluate for a cow's milk allergy. In some cases, she may be able to have soy-based formula, and in others the doctor may recommend a hypoallergenic formula. Do not switch your baby's formula without discussing it with her doctor.
Failure to Thrive
Failure to thrive occurs when your baby does not gain weight as expected. He may also be shorter than other babies his age and his head circumference may be smaller. Many times, the cause is unknown, but it can be caused by birth defects, heart and lung problems or chromosomal abnormalities. As time goes on, your baby's weight may fall to below the third percentile for his age and he might not meet developmental milestones within typical time frames. Nutritional supplements and treatments for underlying conditions can help your baby gain weight and develop normally.
Digestive Conditions
While all babies spit up occasionally, forceful or projectile vomiting warrants a medical evaluation. If your baby has pyloric stenosis, for example, the muscle between her stomach and intestines becomes enlarged, causing projectile vomiting, weight loss and dehydration. Symptoms of pyloric stenosis usually appear when a newborn is between 3 and 5 weeks old, and the condition can be corrected with surgery. Gastroesophageal reflux is another condition that can cause frequent vomiting. While mild cases usually resolve on their own within the first three months of life, more severe cases may require medication.
