Breastfeeding FAQs: Some Common Concerns (Part 1)
Is it normal for my baby to spit up after feedings?
Sometimes, babies spit up when they:
• have eaten too much
• burp (the notorious "wet burp")
• drool
Many infants will spit up a little after some — or even all — feedings or during burping because their digestive tracts are immature. That’s perfectly normal.
As long as your baby is growing and gaining weight and doesn’t seem uncomfortable with the spitting up, it’s OK. The amount of spit up often looks more than it actually is. But spitting up isn't the same as vomiting all or most of a feeding.
If you’re concerned your baby is forcefully vomiting, or much of a feeding is coming up more than once a day, call your doctor. In rare cases, there may be an allergy, digestive problem, or other problem that needs medical attention.
It also may help your doctor to properly diagnose the problem (if there is one) if you keep a record of exactly how often and how much your baby seems to be spitting up, then call your doctor. He or she should be able to tell you if it’s normal or something that’s cause for concern.
But again, it’s important to remember that spitting up is usually perfectly OK. If the doctor says your baby's spitting up is normal, here are some things you can do to help alleviate it:
• Burp your little one every 3 to 5 minutes during breast feedings or after every 1 to 2 ounces during bottle feeds. Sometimes giving smaller, more frequent feeds can help rather than large volume feeds.
• Keep your baby upright after feedings — holding the baby is best, since the position of the baby in a car seat may actually make spitting up more common.
• Don’t jiggle, bounce, or actively play with your baby right after feedings.
• Keep your baby’s head above his or her feet while feeding (in other words, don't hold your baby in a dipped-down position when feeding).
• Raise the head of your baby’s crib or bassinet. Roll up a few small hand towels or receiving blankets (or you can buy special "blocks") to place under (not on top of) the mattress. But don’t use a pillow under your baby’s head. Make sure the mattress doesn’t fold in the middle and that the incline is gentle enough so the baby doesn’t slide down.
I think I’m getting sick. Can I still breastfeed?
In most cases, yes — the majority of illnesses are not dangerous to a breastfeeding infant. In rare cases, though (such as HIV), a mother’s health may interfere with her ability to breastfeed her baby.
If an illness in either you or your baby requires a brief interruption in nursing, you can pump and discard the breast milk until you’re able to start nursing again. To maintain your milk production, it’s important that you continue to pump your breast milk during this time. And if you’re taking any medications for your illness, talk with your doctor to find out whether or not it’s OK for you to breastfeed your baby.
Source: kidshealth.org
Other links:
Staying Healthy During Pregnancy (Part 1)
Staying Healthy During Pregnancy (Part 2)
Staying Healthy During Pregnancy (Part 3)
Weight loss should not be hurried in new moms
Pacifiers prevent breastfeeding success
Mother's Milk, God’s Gift to the Baby
Breastfeeding Diet for Mothers
