What should I watch for?
Some Possible Signs of Feeding Issues:
Cannot latch on to breast or bottle
Sucks in light, quick, fluttery motions rather than taking deep, regular sucks
Frequent spitting up and/or vomiting after feeding
Appears hungry shortly after a feeding
Has diarrhea or rash after feeding
Stiff body or arching of back during a feeding
Not following baby’s own growth curve
Unusually short or long feedings
Consistently rejects solid foods
Is unable to keep food or liquid in mouth
Difficulty chewing age appropriate food
Does not enjoy eating a variety of foods or refuses certain food textures
Gagging
Coughing and/or choking while eating and/or drinking
Frequent respiratory illnesses
If you have concerns about your child’s feeding, talk to their healthcare provider. There are different types of specialists who can help children with feeding issues including:
Lactation Consultants
Speech-Language Pathologists
Occupational Therapists
A specialist may recommend specific feeding techniques, exercises, and foods to help with feeding. Each child will have their own unique goals and spending time working with them each day can help improve their ability to suck, chew, and swallow for a better feeding experience.
Food Allergies
What are the symptoms of food allergies?
If you notice your child has skin problems, such as rashes, hives, or swelling; stomach problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; and/or breathing problems, these are all symptoms of food allergies. Other signs include pale skin or light-headedness.
What should I do if I think my child has food allergies?
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider. They might recommend allergy testing via a skin prick or blood test or trying a special diet to help determine which food is causing the allergies.
Even if your child has no history of allergies, it is best to wait three days between new foods. For example, if you introduce your baby to a new food on Monday, don’t give them any other new foods until Thursday. In the event that they do have an allergic reaction, it will be easier to figure out which food was the cause.
If it is determined your child has a food allergy, keep your child away from foods containing these ingredients. Make sure to inform your child’s school and any caretakers about their allergies or medicines recommended by your child’s healthcare provider to relieve symptoms.
What are some common food allergies?
Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat cause 90% of food allergies. Introducing one new food every three days can help determine if a certain food is causing an allergic reaction.
