Breast-feeding problems your baby could have
Breast-feeding can be difficult to get the hang of at first, and although it’s a very natural thing to do, your baby’s brand new to it! But sometimes there can be medical reasons behind breast-feeding problems which can affect your baby’s appetite or the way they absorb food and vital nutrients.
Here are some of the causes of breast-feeding problems and the signs which will help you to identify them.
Colic
You'll recognise colic by a flushed face, clenched fists, and legs pulled up to the chest with 2 - 3 hour spells of loud crying, often 15 mins after feeding though it can happen at any time during the first few weeks. It’s very common and occurs about 1-2 in every 10 babies. Find out more about colic and what you can do to relieve it here .
Crying before breast-feeding
More often than not if your baby is crying before you breast-feed them it will be due to hunger. As you get to know your baby you’ll begin to understand what their different cries mean.
Crying after breast-feeding
More often than not if you’re baby is crying after breast-feeding it’s likely to be wind or colic. It’s really important to wind your baby properly after every breast-feed; we can show you how here.
Poor weight gain
It’s natural for your baby to lose weight after birth but they should steadily put it back on. However all babies are different and will tend to do this at different rates. Your doctor will monitor weight gain.
Vomiting
It’s quite normal for your baby to bring up a little breast milk after feeding - this is known as posseting. However if they do this very regularly and it’s more than a little amount they may have reflux, in which case you must speak with your doctor.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea may be caused by a virus or it could be a feeding issue so it’s best to speak to your doctor about it. If you’ve got concerns about your baby’s pooing, whether it’s too much or too little, read our article on stools.
Medical problems
Just like us, feeling poorly can put your baby off their food. If they’re full of a cold with a blocked-up nose it can make it difficult to breathe, which might mean your baby doesn’t want to close their mouth to feed.
More seriously, food intolerances can be responsible for weight loss or difficulty feeding, and it’s worth getting your baby checked out by your doctor if you think there’s something wrong.