Breastfeeding A Baby With A Health Problem

Breastfeeding is difficult for some babies especially those who have some illness. However, breastmilk is necessary especially colostrum to give the baby life-long immunity from a number of diseases. Therefore, if the baby is unable to suckle, then breastmilk should be pumped and fed to the baby with a dropper, spoon or a cup.

Most babies get affected with jaundice usually on the second or the third day after birth. This, however, is not harmful and usually clears up within two weeks. This is caused when build-up of bilirubin found in blood is faster than it can be removed from the intestinal tract.

Sometimes when babies do not get adequate breastmilk, they develop jaundice but this too clears up as soon as they are sufficiently fed up on a regular basis.

Depending on the baby’s bilirubin levels, a doctor may recommend phyto-therapy which is a treatment with a special light that helps break down bilirubin into a form that can be easily removed from the body.

Some babies suffer from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) where the muscle at the opening of the stomach opens at the wrong time allowing milk and food to return via the oesophagus. Some of the symptoms of GERD are when the baby vomits or spits after feeding. Babies cry as if they are in a lot of pain or refuse to feed often. They gain weight slower than expected and frequently gag or choke while swallowing. Breastfeeding a baby having GERD is necessary for they find infant formula harder to digest thereby increasing the frequency of the symptoms.

When a baby cries incessantly especially in the evening, he may be suffering from colic. Breastfed babies may be sensitive to what their mothers eat like caffeine, chocolate, dairy or nuts leading to colic. Change in mother’s diet helps sometimes. Colic may also be because baby’s stomach may be enlarged due to gas, hernia or some other disease. In such cases, being held closely soothes the baby.

Some babies are born prematurely before 37 weeks and have low birth weight. These babies may find breastfeeding difficult but it is necessary for them to grow well, keep warm and stay healthy. If because of being premature, a baby is unable to breastfeed, take help from a lactation consultant who will guide you towards a proper latch and positioning of your baby. It may take some time for both of you to get into a routine but meanwhile ensure that the baby is fed around 6-8 times in a day. Express colostrum by hand or by using a pump so that the breastmilk is fed to the baby as often as is required.

About the author: Avni Kaul is India’s most trusted nutritionist and wellness coach. She is a certified nutritionist as well as Diabetes Educator and specializes in weight management, child nutrition, skin and beauty health, thyroid disorder, cardiovascular health, diabetic management, wedding nutrition, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness.