Most infants experience initial difficulties with both eating and drinking. They might gag, avoid trying new meals, or refuse to consume some kinds of food altogether. They could have difficulty keeping food and liquids in their mouths simultaneously. These concerns are typical and should only be expected to last temporarily.
A child who struggles to eat or has an eating disorder will continue to have problems. Twenty-five percent of all children will, at some point during their infancy or early childhood, struggle with their ability to eat, which can affect their overall health and development.
An infant may have a feeding problem if they cannot consume enough of the foods and liquids necessary to maintain their health. It’s easy to think that a child is a “picky eater” when they don’t like solid foods, especially when they’re a baby. On the other hand, poor feeding should not be confused with fussy eating, which typically does not begin until the child is an older toddler.
Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties that often accompany feeding issues. The inability of food or drink to flow smoothly from the mouth to the throat is referred to as dysphagia.
I will give you a brief description in this article of what you need to know about poor feeding and how to detect if your baby also has it or not. I will also tell you whether your baby has it or not. For additional information, be sure to read everything through until the very end of the conclusion.
What exactly are the Feeding Problems?
Poor feeding, also known as a disinterest in feeding or a problem receiving the proper amounts of nutrients, is a vague symptom observed in newborns and young infants. This symptom can result from various conditions, including infection, metabolic disturbances, developmental diseases, congenital malformations, and neurological disorders.
Even if there are no other signs, keeping a careful eye on the newborn if they are having trouble feeding is essential because this may indicate that the disease is more serious than initially thought. The term “picky eating” should not be confused with poor nutrition. There are a lot of fussy eaters among children aged 2 to 4 years old.
If an infant cannot get the proper amount of food from a feeding bottle, it can still cause feeding problems. But, there are ways to help babies get the food they need, even if they’re struggling with feeding bottles. If you use a feeding bottle, ensure that the nipple is the right size. If it’s too small, your baby might not be able to get enough milk. If it’s too big, they could get overwhelmed and choke. You can also go for feeding bottles that are designed to help babies with feeding difficulties.
Reasons why infants have trouble eating properly
How can you say your child is experiencing eating difficulties or a disorder? Some common warning signs are as follows:
- Refuses to take in any food or liquid.
- Isn’t putting on weight or developing as one would anticipate
- During feeding, it arches back or becomes rigid.
- When being fed, they exhibit crying or fussiness.
- When eating, it consistently takes a very long time (more than 30 minutes)
- When being fed, the individual either falls asleep or is not alert.
- aversion to foods containing particular textures
- When being fed, drools heavily, coughs or gags, or both.
- She has difficulty chewing food and swallowing it.
- Has difficulty breathing while consuming liquids and solids.
- Regularly throws up or spits up liquids.
- During or after feeding, the individual’s voice becomes harsh or raspy.
- Premature birth contributes to poor feeding. Babies born prematurely generally have trouble feeding because they frequently have not yet mastered the necessary abilities to suckle and swallow breast milk properly.
- Even yet, the frequency of feedings typically rises as the infant develops. If your child was born prematurely and continues to have problems feeding after leaving the hospital, it is vital to continue following up carefully with your physician. This is especially crucial if feeding concerns worsen or do not improve.
Infections such as viral gastroenteritis and congenital disorders such as jaundice are two other causes of this illness. In most cases, poor feeding will improve after treating these diseases.
The treatment of newborns who have difficulty eating
In most cases, a lack of appetite brought on by an infection will improve once the infection has been treated.
The treatment for malnutrition is dependent on the underlying cause. Suppose your child is thought to have an intolerance to milk-based products. In that case, your pediatrician will work closely with you to determine an appropriate feeding regimen and milk baby formula for your child.
Stress management
When your infant isn’t eating well, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with anxiety. Remember that first-time parents may not yet be aware of the differences between severe problems and less significant feeding concerns.
Keep in mind that stress might make problems with feeding worse. If your infant senses that something is wrong, it may interfere with any attempts you make to feed them.
Managing your stress will not fix all of the reasons why you aren’t eating well, but it will assist in many cases.
Even just a few minutes every day can make a difference during this hectic time in your life when it can be tough to find time for yourself. When you feel stressed out while feeding your baby, stop and practise deep breathing.
Final Thoughts
Inadequate feeding in newborns can result in significant health problems such as malnutrition and delayed physical development. To thrive and develop normally, infants must absorb and digest the appropriate nutrients.
Any infant who is having trouble gaining weight should be evaluated by a paediatrician as soon as possible. After an accurate diagnosis has been made, therapy could be required.
In other instances, inadequate feeding can be remedied at home by employing more precise methods and being more persistent. Talk to a doctor if you have any reason to believe that difficulties with feeding could be the source of other concerns.
