Parenthood brings plenty of happy moments. The first smile, the feel of tiny fingers wrapped around yours and the quiet cuddles after a nap. Unfortunately, not all days are so blissful. There are days when parenting feels easy and natural, and days when nothing seems to go the way you hoped!
One of the most common early hurdles involves feeding the infant. Almost all parents face infant feeding issues at some point or another. The baby might fuss during breastfeeding, take too little milk from the bottle or feed too often without seeming satisfied. All of this is bound to increase parents' stress levels!
Here, the most important thing to remember is that feeding challenges are normal and, thankfully, temporary. Most of them improve once you understand the cause and try a few simple adjustments. In this article, we’ll examine a few common feeding problems in young infants and what can be done to make mealtimes a lot easier.
Babies cannot explain what they feel the way adults do. Instead, they show their discomfort in other ways. As parents, you will have to learn to learn to watch out for these cues so as to figure out if something's wrong. Your little ones may show one or more of the below behaviours if feeding sessions are not going as smoothly as it should.
● Refuses breastfeeding or the bottle even when hungry
● Vomits often after feeding instead of a small amount of spit-up
● Shows a lot of gas or tummy discomfort during or after feeding
● Cries or becomes upset while feeding
● Takes a long time to finish a feed and still seems tired afterward
● Food or milk falls out of the mouth instead of being swallowed
● Chewing or swallowing looks difficult or uncomfortable
● Fewer wet diapers or slower weight gain than expected
If you notice any of these signs with your infant, do not panic. Most of these are caused by issues that can be easily resolved. However, if the child has been experiencing pain or discomfort, or the problems with feeding have been there for a very long time, seek immediate medical help from the baby’s pediatrician. There may be underlying health issues that can only be diagnosed and treated by them.
Let’s take a look at a few common problems that infants face while breastfeeding, and how these problems can be resolved.
Breastfeeding challenges, like poor latch, are common in the early weeks of the newborn baby’s life. Babies are able to breastfeed properly only when they are able to latch on to the breast. When the latch is not right, the mom may feel nipple pain or breast fullness, and the baby may not gain weight as expected. Clicking sounds while feeding or the baby frequently slipping off the breast are also noticed.
● Try different breastfeeding positions
● Increase skin-to-skin time to encourage natural rooting
● Seek help from a lactation consultant if feeding remains painful or difficult
A low milk supply means the baby is not getting enough milk to stay full and grow well. Slow weight gain, fewer wet or soiled diapers, less swallowing during feedings, or the baby's desire to breastfeed again shortly after finishing are all possible signs. This often happens when feeding is not frequent enough, or after illness, or long gaps between feeds.
● Feed more often, around 8 to 12 times in a day
● Increase skin-to-skin time to support milk flow
● Check latch and swallowing, and get help if feeding is painful
● Offer both breasts during each feeding session
● Pump or hand-express after feeds for extra stimulation
● Massage the breast during feeding or pumping
● Give expressed breast milk first if the baby needs more
● Seek guidance from a lactation consultant or doctor if supply stays low
Reflux and spitting are common issues faced by infants. These types of newborn feeding difficulties often start in the first weeks of life. It usually improves as the babies get older. Small amounts of milk coming up during or after feeding are usually harmless. Some babies, though, spit up very often or seem uncomfortable when it happens. They may arch their back, cough, hiccup, swallow quickly or cry during or after feeding. Poor weight gain is another sign that reflux needs attention.
● Feed your baby in an upright position and keep them upright for 20 to 30 minutes afterward
● Burp more often during feeds to reduce trapped air
● Offer smaller, more frequent feeds to avoid an overfull stomach
● Watch hunger and fullness cues to prevent overfeeding
● If using a bottle, try a slower-flow nipple or an anti-colic bottle
● Always place your baby on their back to sleep
Colic is a common issue in young babies. It often begins within the first few weeks and usually settles by three or four months. A colicky baby is otherwise healthy but cries for long periods of time. The exact cause is unclear. Experts believe it could be due to an immature digestive system or difficulty releasing trapped gas. These long crying spells can make feeding time stressful for the whole family.
You might notice other signs such as clenched fists, a red face, knees pulled up toward the tummy and lots of gas. Some babies become upset during or after feeds and take a long time to calm down, even when they are held.
● Hold and cuddle the baby to offer comfort
● Keep the baby upright during feeds to reduce swallowed air
● Burp the baby well after every feed
● Try smaller, more frequent feeds
● Create a calm feeding space with dim light and soothing sounds
Overfeeding happens when a baby takes in more milk than their small stomach can handle. Though this has been associated with bottle‑feeding problems, it could occur in breastfed babies as well. Babies usually stop when they are full, but sometimes fast milk flow, frequent comfort sucking or encouraging a baby to continue after turning away leads to extra intake. This can cause fussiness, gas, a tight belly, spit-ups or vomiting soon after a feed.
● Watch for fullness cues and stop when baby turns away
● Use a slower nipple flow if bottle-feeding
● Feed your baby when you see early hunger signs like rooting, lip-smacking or hands to the mouth.
Food allergies and sensitivities sometimes appear in early infancy. Infants may react to certain ingredients in formula or in foods introduced later. These reactions happen because the body treats a food as something harmful and responds to it. Some babies show skin changes like repeated rashes, hives or eczema. Others have vomiting, diarrhoea, tummy pain, swelling or itching around the mouth soon after eating.
● Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for changes
● Stop the food that caused symptoms
● Read labels carefully to avoid hidden allergens
● Seek urgent care if breathing or swelling worsens
● Get a food allergy test done
Babies often fall asleep while feeding because the closeness feels calm and cozy, or they were already tired before starting. Breast milk also has calming hormones that make sleep easier. This is normal at times, but if a baby sleeps too early during feeds, they might not take enough milk and may wake often or feed more at night. Ultimately, they may not be able to gain the weight required for healthy development.
● Switch sides when sucking slows as this will wake the baby up
● Keep the baby awake by gently touching their toes or arms
● Keep the room bright
Another common feeding problem is when infants refuse to be bottle-fed. This is common when a breastfed baby is introduced to the bottle, but it also happens with babies who were taking bottles well earlier and suddenly stop. The formula milk's taste, its temperature and flow, the shape of the nipple or even the person offering the bottle can all influence how a baby responds. A refusal often leads to stress for parents, especially when they need to return to work or share feeding duties.
● Try different bottle shapes or nipple types to find one that feels right
● Let another caregiver offer the bottle
● Adjust the milk temperature so it feels similar to breastmilk
It’s tough raising a child when feeding becomes stressful, it can feel even harder. Just remember that these challenges are quite normal and temporary. However, if problems with feeding persist and you feel worried about the effect this could have on your child’s health, then speak with a paediatrician or lactation expert.
A feeding problem in infants means the baby is not feeding comfortably or getting enough milk for healthy growth.
A calm, comfortable space with soft lighting and low distractions helps babies feel relaxed and feed better.
Watch for shorter, calmer feeds, fewer crying episodes, better digestion, more wet diapers and steady weight gain to know the feeding problem is improving.
Some of the most common feeding problems include poor latch, low milk supply, reflux, colic, overfeeding, falling asleep mid-feed and refusing the bottle.
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