Common feeding concerns and what to expect

Feeding problems your baby could have

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 feeding problems which can affect your baby’s appetite.

Here are some of the common feeding problems that babies can experience 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 a day, for at least 3 days a week, for 3 weeks. It’s very common and occurs in up to one in four young babies.

Find out more about colic and what you can do to relieve it here

Crying before feeding

More often than not if your baby is crying before you 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 feeding

If your baby is crying after feeding it could be wind or colic. It’s really important to wind your baby properly after every 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 public health nurse will monitor your baby's weight gain and let you know if they have any concerns at all.

Vomiting

It’s quite normal for your baby to bring up a little 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 GP.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea may be caused by a virus or it could be a feeding issue so it’s best to speak to your healthcare professional 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.