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.
Other symptoms can go along with food allergies and intolerance butthey 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.
March marks Plagiocephaly and Torticollis Awareness Month.
Plagiocephaly is when a baby develops a flat spot on one side or the back of the head. It happens when a baby sleeps in the same position most of the time or because of problems with the neck muscles that result in a head-turning preference.
In babies, torticollis happens when the muscles that connect the breastbone and collarbone to the skull (sternocleidomastoid muscle) are shortened.
There are many reasons that babies can develop these conditions and none of them are your fault! In fact, plagiocephaly and torticollis are becoming increasingly common.
Here are some reasons your baby may have one or both of these conditions:
Being malpositioned in the uterus. A smaller parent may not have as much room for a larger baby which can put baby in the same position for days or even weeks before birth. This can occur with pelvic floor issues or with parents that have differing anatomy
Babies who sleep on their back for long stretches. While sleeping on the back is safest overall, if baby doesn’t move around a lot and sleeps looooong stretches it can increase flattening of the back of the head. These babies need lots of tummy time when awake!
Babies with reflux or torticollis may develop plagiocephaly on the side of the head. When we turn our head, it helps close off the esophagus during refluxing.
A baby who is best soothed in a swing or other baby-holding device. If your baby spends a lot of time in a swing, bouncy chair, or car seat it’s much more likely they will develop plagiocephaly.
The good news is that you can treat both of these conditions! Working with a pediatric PT is very helpful!
At home you can do fun activities with your baby to help them develop and improve.
Encourage baby to turn their head both directions by offering stimulation on the non-preferred side. Talk to them and sing songs to get baby to turn their head. Position baby for sleeping so they will turn to the non-preferred side toward you.
Babywearing is a great way to soothe baby and keep your hands free!
Cranial sacral therapy, OMT, and chiropractic can all be great options. Look for a provider that specializes in infants and ask your Pediatrician for recommendations.
With help and time, it will get better and you are likely to see big improvements in your baby’s feeding, too!
Whatever you call it, it’s pretty common for newborns. When our babies spit up often or forcefully it can be worrisome. We wonder if we ate something which is upsetting baby. Are we burping the right way and long enough? Should we change something about how we are feeding baby?
Let’s set the record straight with some facts about infant reflux:
Reflux is common and not a problem for most newborns.
About half of babies aged 2 weeks to 4 months have reflux (which just means they spit up once or more times per day).
Most babies outgrow reflux by 6 months.
Reflux is more common if your baby was born prematurely, has Down syndrome, or other conditions which affect neuromuscular function.
Symptoms peak at 4 months and gradually get better.
Very few infants have GERD (uncomfortable or painful reflux with additional symptoms like weight gain difficulty, crying, etc)
Newborn looking into the camera, blowing bubbles with their tongue sticking out.
Okay, so what causes it?
Overfeeding is one of the most common causes. Many parents are told to feed their babies every 3 hours which is less often than what most babies would like. Spacing out feeds means that baby may be taking larger volumes than their stomach can comfortably hold.
Laying baby down after a feed puts pressure on the stomach. Because the sphincter (a ring of muscle at the top of the stomach) is immature laying baby down after feeding or putting pressure on their belly can cause spit up.
Diet While most babies are not sensitive to anything in the parent’s milk, they can have spit up more frequently with formula feeding. Using the right formula which baby can digest more easily helps reduce the frequency of reflux.
Crying We all know that babies cry and sometimes it’s unavoidable like when you are driving and can’t comfort baby. And sometimes you can comfort baby but it seems like nothing is working…it happens to us all. Excessive crying can make reflux worse so talk with your provider to get to cause of baby’s discomfort.
Sometimes parents think baby is crying because of the spit up but it’s usually the other way around. Unlike adults, baby has a very acid in their stomach so it doesn’t burn or hurt when they spit up most of the time.
It’s developmentally normal. Spitting up that doesn’t bother baby or cause any problems with growth and development isn’t something to worry about medically.
What can we do to reduce it?
•Get a great latch! Have your baby’s latch and suck assessed by an experienced Lactation Consultant.
•Keep baby upright without abdominal pressure for 30 minutes after feeds. Babywearing works great!
•If you need to lay baby down and you can keep an eye on them try laying them on their left side. If you are doing tummy time, use a prop like a nursing pillow under their chest to keep pressure off the belly
Linn Benton Lincoln Breastfeeding Coalition 