Here are several warning signs that your baby is consuming more formula than she needs: Frequently occurring spit-ups Overfeeding can result in overflow in the form of spit-up. If you put too much in her small belly, it will inevitably come back up. She may also have a case of constipation due to excess milk or formula. This can cause her to spasm with pain as she tries to get rid of the material stuck in her body. These symptoms should prompt you to take action before any further damage occurs.
If you think your baby is eating too much formula, try reducing the amount you're giving her for a day to see if the symptoms go away. If they do, then she's not getting enough breast milk and needs more formula only at night when you put her to bed. If the problems continue after you reduce the amount you're giving her, talk to your doctor about other options such as switching to a higher quality brand or supplementing with iron-rich foods like spinach, tuna, and red meat.
Excessive weeping or fussiness after a feeding are symptoms that your kid is allergic to the formula you're giving him or her. Very loose, watery feces due to excess gas. These are all signs that your child's formula is causing problems.
If you think your baby may have a food allergy, see your doctor so he or she can determine what foods are causing the problem and suggest an alternative diet. A food allergy can be serious if not treated properly. Also, tell your doctor about any reactions your child has to supplements such as vitamins or minerals. Some children who are born with defects of their digestive system cannot process certain nutrients, which can cause illness if taken in large doses.
Your doctor will want to know how long your child has been fed formula, how much he or she eats at each meal, any recent changes in his or her diet, etc. This will help the doctor determine whether your child is having adverse effects from the formula and if any modifications need to be made.
Babies may spit up due to a sensitivity to their formula (typically cow's milk protein or soy). Begin by experimenting with full-hydrolysate products such as Alimentum or Nutramigen. If you've tried these formulas and your kid is still spitting up, the problem is most likely mechanical. Your baby needs a properly designed infant feeding bottle that allows for efficient flow while preventing air ingestion into the formula. These bottles can be bought online and at specialty baby stores such as Target and Wal-Mart.
If you think your baby may be allergic to formula, see your doctor for advice on how to proceed. Most doctors will want to run some kind of test to see if your baby has an allergy to formula proteins.
Overfeeding a newborn typically causes pain because he or she cannot adequately digest all of the breast milk or formula. When a baby is overfed, he or she may swallow air, which can cause gas, pain in the stomach, and screaming. The more frequently a baby is fed, the more damage he or she will suffer.
Babies who are overfed may also become weight problems. Overfed babies tend to gain more weight than normal babies of their age because they eat too much food. This can lead to childhood obesity. Eating too much and not enough at different times also can cause growing pains.
For most healthy infants, feeding intervals should be extended as long as the mother's breasts are producing sufficient milk. However, if your doctor recommends otherwise, follow his or her instructions. Do not feed your baby more than once or twice during the day unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
If your baby does not get the amount of breast milk or formula that he or she needs, you will need to feed him or her more frequently. Feeding more often may make it seem like your baby is getting more food than he or she is; this could cause him or her to overeat. Make sure that you do not give your baby more than this single meal per day. If you continue to give your baby multiple meals and snacks per day, this could lead to obesity as well.
What are some signs that my baby might not be getting enough milk?
Is your infant in need of a delicate formula?
Just when breastfeeding and bottle-feeding get more comfortable and everyone settles into a routine, your child becomes fidgety and preoccupied during feedings. As upsetting as it is for you, this is a very common time for newborns as they get bigger and become more aware of their environment. It's normal for them to look around during feedings to see who is there to care for them and to make sure that they are not being hurt.
This fidgeting can be done by moving your arms and legs or by making noise with your voice. Some babies will even open their mouths during feedings to check out what is going on. This behavior is called oral exploration and it is completely normal. If your baby is doing this and it makes him uncomfortable, stop him from doing it by gently taking his head in your hands and giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead. This will let him know that it is all right to explore his world but that he should stop when it makes him feel uncomfortable.
Our children learn by doing and hearing things happening around them. So if you see your baby looking around a lot or acting uncomfortable, stop what you're doing and take notice. This is how he is letting you know that he needs your attention and that it is safe for him to show interest in his surroundings.
What steps can you take to reduce the amount of time you spit?