Feeding intolerance in infants can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents, often leading to practical as well as emotional challenges in caring for their newborn. All parents naturally want their babies to thrive. So, when feeding them becomes a struggle, it causes undue emotional stress and anxiety.
The discomfort and distress experienced by infants with feeding intolerance can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, leaving parents feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. This sleep disruption not only affects the baby’s well-being but also impacts parents’ ability to function during the day.
Feeding intolerance can also interfere with the bonding experience between parents and their babies. Do you agree that feeding is a fundamental way for parents to connect with their infants? Then you can imagine how this bonding experience gets compromised when it becomes associated with discomfort or stress.
The National Library of Medicine defines feeding intolerance as a combination of clinical signs that collectively indicate a person’s (or baby’s) inability to tolerate enteral nutrition. It also notes how 75% of the babies born with a very low body weight suffer from it.
In this article, we will examine the potential causes leading to feeding intolerance as well as the ways to manage it as a parent. Let’s get started.
Causes of Feeding Intolerance in Babies
It’s impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of feeding intolerance in your baby on your own. This is because there can be multiple possibilities causing it. Below, we’ll explore some of the most common causes that lead to feeding intolerance in babies. One of them can be true in the case of your newborn.
Gastrointestinal Issues
One of the primary causes of feeding intolerance in babies is gastrointestinal (GI) issues. The digestive system of a newborn is still developing and may not function optimally, leading to difficulties in digesting food. Here’s how gastrointestinal issues can contribute to feeding intolerance:
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
TorHoerman Law notes that Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal disorder primarily affecting premature and low birth weight babies. The main characteristics of this disorder are the death of intestinal tissues and inflammation in the intestines. These lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stool in your newborn.
Were you feeding your newborn a baby or formula – instead of breast milk – before they were diagnosed with NEC? In that case, it is also possible that the toxicity of the formula could caused it.
Enfamil and Similac, two renowned brands that sell baby formula, are currently facing the threat of an NEC infant formula lawsuit for the same reason.
If you’re a consumer of these brands and have a newborn struggling with NEC, you must get in touch with a lawyer to figure it out today. They can help you determine whether you’re eligible to seek the NEC lawsuit payout as a parent whose baby has suffered at their hands.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
Mayo Clinic defines Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) as a condition where stomach contents, flow back up into the esophagus. While occasional spitting up is normal in infants, GER occurs when this reflux happens frequently or becomes severe enough to cause complications.
These contents include not only what you feed them but also the acid and digestive juices present in their stomach. So you can understand how it must be causing discomfort and irritation to your newborn.
Treatment for GER in infants typically involves lifestyle modifications and, in some cases, medication. You can get in touch with your baby’s doctor to figure out how to best tackle the issue.
Allergies and Intolerances:
Beyond gastrointestinal issues, certain allergies and intolerances can also cause feeding intolerance in your newborn. Here are a couple of them:
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA)
CMPA is a rare allergy where an infant may develop an allergic reaction to the proteins found in cow’s milk. This can happen from both cow milk formula as well as traces passed through breast milk if the mother consumes dairy products.
Symptoms of CMPA can include bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. The discomfort caused by it can also lead your newborn to develop a feeding aversion or difficulty in keeping it down.
Lactose Intolerance
Most parents believe that newborns are incapable of having lactose intolerance, which is only partly true. WebMD notes that while lactose intolerance is very uncommon in babies, it can occur temporarily, often caused by a bug in the stomach. It is also seen that the condition develops into a more permanent form as babies grow older, especially after crossing the 3-year mark.
If your newborn suffers a temporary condition of lactose intolerance, they will display an aversion to both breast milk as well as baby formula.
Managing Feeding Intolerance in Babies
As a parent, if you find your newborn struggling with feeding intolerance, you must take a comprehensive approach to managing it. Remember, each child is different; what works for one might not prove effective for the other.
Before you resort to medication, it is worth a shot to modify your feeding practices to manage your baby’s feeding intolerance. This includes adjusting feeding positions to minimize reflux and ensuring proper latching and swallowing techniques during breastfeeding. If your newborn is formula-fed, you can also try using specialized bottles or nipples to reduce air intake.
Another important aspect of managing feeding intolerance is providing emotional support to both the baby and the parents. Dealing with feeding difficulties can be stressful and challenging, and parents may need reassurance and guidance from healthcare providers. Educating parents about the signs and symptoms of feeding intolerance, as well as strategies for managing it, can empower them to care for their babies effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do doctors check for milk intolerance in babies?
If you think your baby has milk intolerance, be prepared for your doctor to recommend some basic stool and blood tests for confirmation. There is also a chance that they might refer you to an allergist for skin testing.
Does milk intolerance in babies go away?
It is found in most cases that milk intolerance in babies goes away after a couple of weeks of eating a low-lactose diet.
How do you test a baby for intolerance?
An elimination diet is the most commonly used method for testing intolerance in babies. It involves removing certain foods from their diet (which you think they might be intolerant to) for a couple of weeks, after which you can re-introduce them.
To sum it up, we can agree that having your newborn struggle with feeding can be painful. This is what makes feeding intolerance in infants even tougher for the parents to deal with.
But while things might seem bleak now, remember that with the right diagnosis and treatment, you and your newborn will certainly navigate through it.
