Month: October 2022

allergies, breastfeeding, chestfeeding, reflux

Does my baby have a food allergy?

dunnmegand

It can be confusing to figure out because some symptoms of food allergies/intolerance are also found with other types of feeding problems.

So how do you know for sure if your baby has an allergy?

Some symptoms are clearly associated with allergies and intolerance, not just a feeding problem. Babies will generally have more than one of these symptoms.

  • Wheezing or asthma
  • Congestion
  • Eczema or Hives
  • Diaper rash
  • Red eyes
  • Rash around the mouth
  • Unexplained stooling issues
    • Persistent mucous
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea (without illness)

Food allergies mostly start after baby has started solids in addition to your milk.
While food intolerances, can start at any time. Dairy is the most common in infants.

You only need to remove it from your diet for about 3 days to see a difference. You do need to remove all milk products though. Check this list so you can spot the dairy in the ingredients list.

Other symptoms can go along with food allergies and intolerance but they can also be a sign of another feeding problem.

Colic or discomfort
Poor night time sleep
Not napping
Fussiness after feeds
Temporary green stool
Spit up or reflux
Gassiness
Blood in stool when you have nipple damage

How do you figure out the difference?

Schedule a consult with your IBCLC and they can do a full feeding assessment then refer you to a dietitian and an allergy specialist if a food allergy or intolerance is suspected.

❤ Megan

breastfeeding, chestfeeding, supplementing

Which bottle should I pick for my nursing baby?

dunnmegand
I’m returning to work soon. Which bottle should I pick for my baby?
There are so many to pick from! How do I know which is right?
Starting with nipples, these are the shapes to look for. A gentle taper from tip to base. A base sized to support a wide jaw.
Ok, what about the bottle itself? A narrow bottle that fits your hand well and allows for paced feedings. The right size for the feeding (most babies will, at max, take 3-5oz per feed). Safe BPA-free plastic, glass, or stainless steel.
AVOID: Flat nipples. If your baby can only feed on these, it’s a sign of a latch or suckling problem. Contact your IBCLC.
AVOID: Nipples with a wide base. This encourages baby to only latch on the nipple and have a shallow latch.
AVOID: “Breast bottles” Nothing we produce can actually function like the breast. These narrow nippels and super wide bases lead to shallow latching and air intake.
Okay! We’ve narrowed it down!
And the winners are…Evenflo Balance and Lansinoh Momma. Contact your IBCLC for help with bottle feeding.