woocommerce-subscriptions domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/babycoac/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260Demand feeding can create challenges for mum and baby.
If you’re a new mom, you might be wondering about the best way to feed your baby. One important aspect to consider is the difference between feeding your baby on demand and practicing mindful feeding. Learning to recognise and respond to your baby’s hunger cues is crucial, as it can help you differentiate between genuine hunger and signs of colic or reflux. In addition, incorporating mindful feeding practices can offer extra benefits for both you and your baby.
Feeding a baby on demand simply means feeding your baby when they demonstrate hunger signs.
Demand feeding is often associated with the advice- Feed when baby is hungry!
Many mums interpret this saying as:
Feed when baby is sucking!
Feed when baby is crying!
Feed when baby is rooting!
Feed when baby is poking out tongue!
Feed when baby is grizzly
The challenge when feeding baby on demand when these signs are present, is that these signs are not always hunger signs.
They are also signs for tiredness, discomfort and gas.
Babies who often demand feed, may also be at higher risk of being diagnosed with colic or reflux.
Demand feeding most often leads mums to second guessing themselves. Mums may be at higher risk of sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression.
They look hungry, showing all the signs of hunger but in fact, baby is fighting at the breast and pushing themselves away and they appear not interested.
This is why I like to call it ‘mindful feeding’
Mindful feeding takes into account your baby’s sleep and feeding routine, baby cues, your intuition and the temperament of your baby.
Example:
Your baby has had a good feed, been on for 20 min, sucking well and swallowing. You know their tummy is full. But they wake, they are rooting, sucking and still not relaxing.
You re-feed to see if they are still hungry. Because of the sucking reflex and rooting reflex, your baby is affectively having another feed or topping up. This becomes a cycle, soon to be challenging.
This is why feeding should always be a partnership. Not just one way.
Your baby doesn’t know how regulate their feeding but you can. Not this does not mean feeding on schedule.
You should always be responsive and flexible.
Reflux – A diagnoses that is so common among babies these days that I have started to look into how easily doctors are giving antacids to babies as young as 2-3 weeks old.
Absolutely babies do suffer from reflux however diagnoses should be done after all other possible symptoms have been eliminated.
Through many years working with babies around sleep and feeding.
I am seeing babies diagnosed with reflux more often, are also having feeding and sleep problems and are readily being diagnosed with colic by many GP’s
I challenge some of these diagnoses.
A 15 min doctor visit in my opinion doesn’t allow for thorough health and wellbeing check and what could be the root of the cause for unsettled babies.
This research is very recent and I am sure there will be more too come.
Yes even if your baby doesn’t have true reflux an antacid will help settle them a little but so will good feeding patterns, sleep patterns and more confidence within our mums.
Why have I shared this you may ask.
I have worked with several babies who have been diagnosed with reflux and have been taken off this medication after getting better feeding and sleep routines in place.
It is still a medication?
If you are reading this and have a baby that may be struggling and showing signs of reflux there are many ways to help your baby without antacids.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/…/sc-hlth-babies-antacids-an…
A diagnosis that is either dreaded or welcomed by new parents. Reflux is often associated when babies are vomiting, spilling, crying (often for long periods of time).
There are two types of reflux that is most commonly diagnosed.
I call them
True Reflux and Silent Reflux.
True reflux
is when babies are continually spilling or vomiting and is associated with a lot of crying post feeds or between feeds. The milk is curdled, smelly and your baby is finding it tough to settle with or without comfort.
The crying associated with true reflux can be quite high pitched and lengthy.
Silent Reflux
Well I guess this is pretty self-explanatory.
Its silent, because they are unable to a diagnose true reflux because the true signs of reflux are not there.
Yes some babies will spill, however not as often as true reflux babies and there are generally unsettled with no other reasons for it. You may notice your baby swallowing often and seem uncomfortable when doing so.
There is no doubt in my mind that babies who are diagnosed with reflux have some form of it, whether severe or very mild.
But I do wonder that the babies are being diagnosed to quickly and put on anti acid medication when there are other possibilities at play.
From seeing several clients through out my years as baby consultant, plus also as a Reg Nurse. I can’t help but wonder if there are other options, other than medication that may help.
Babies with a reflux diagnoses also have the same symptoms as babies who are overtired, mums who have fast let down reflex or over supply. Snack rather than have a good feeding schedule and are highly spirited.
Typical signs of reflux
Crying
Arching
Appears Hungry
Relief with Sucking
Spilling
Not Sleeping
Restlessness
Now let have a look at the typical signs of an overstimulated, over tired baby.
Crying
Arching of the back
Appears hungry
Relief while sucking
Spilling
Not sleeping
Restlessness
Needless to say you can imagine why I get a little frustrated why so many babies are put on anti acid medications without proper questioning and looking for more answers other than reaching for the bottle of meds.
Now I’m not saying that babies don’t suffer from reflux but I do urge parents to look further a field for other possibilities as to why babies are vomiting, spilling and unsettled.
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