Week 2

Feeding and Digestive Issues

Newborns can be susceptible to a number of different tummy troubles, and sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s normal and what could actually be a problem. Here’s a quick primer of things to keep an eye out for; follow the links for more information (all from our Newborn Care Guide Week 1).

Gas

Yes, even newborns can have gas, and it can sound like it came from an adult! And though it’s normal, it can cause discomfort. If your baby is crying a lot, gas could be the culprit.

Click here for tips on how to reduce gas in babies.

Reflux

Your baby’s digestive system is maturing, so a little spit-up or even vomit after a feeding is normal, and eventually they’ll outgrown it. A more serious condition, however, is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), akin to what we adults would call heartburn.

Here are the signs of GERD in babies and things you can do to reduce the pain.

Constipation

Even if your baby is having less frequent bowel movements and seems to be straining, it doesn’t necessarily mean constipation. While breast-fed babies rarely get constipated (the perfectly balanced milk always produces soft stool), formula-fed babies can experience this discomfort for a number of reasons, including illness, insufficient fluids or possibly a more serious medical problem.

Here are signs that your baby is constipated and what you can do.

Vomiting

Every baby spits up, usually after a feeding, but vomiting, on the other hand, is more forceful and upsetting. Thankfully it usually looks scarier than it is. Vomiting can, however, be an indication of something much more serious.

Here are signs that baby’s vomiting could be a problem and when to call a doctor.

Diarrhea

Although bottle-fed babies have more formed bowel movements than breastfed babies, even a breastfed newborn’s healthy stools will have some seedy substance. In either case, if you notice watery, green stools – sometimes with mucus or blood – then the baby most likely has diarrhea.

Here’s what to do if you think your baby has rotovirus or some other gastrointestinal trouble.

Thrush

Thrush is a scary-sounding name for a harmless yeast infection that develops in a baby’s mouth and/or a breastfeeding mother’s nipples. You can recognize thrush by the white cottage-cheese-like patches in your baby’s mouth that won’t rub off

Here’s how to prevent thrush and what to do if you think your baby has thrush