Breastfeeding Baby Refuses Bottle

QUESTION:

I'm trying to get my 3-month-old son to take a bottle for when I have to go out, and he absolutely refuses. I've tried every different nipple on the market, and he just won't drink from them - even when it's my breast milk. How can I get him to do this so that I can leave my son with his dad, or anybody for that matter, without worrying that he is screaming because he's so hungry?

Name Withheld

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JAN'S REPLY:

I understand your concerns - in fact I remember when I had this same question years ago. I'll try to give you the information that helped me to better understand and to meet my son's needs.

It can be worrisome for loving parents to think that their baby may be in a situation in which an important need such as hunger cannot be satisfied. However, a bottle is not a good solution. Many babies will suck only from one or the other, breast or bottle. One reason for this is that the sucking method is, surprisingly, quite different. A baby who is breastfeeding successfully can become confused by something that requires a different sucking method. But I would not recommend that you teach him how to drink from a bottle, even if you could do so. If he were to successfully learn to suck from a bottle nipple (or a pacifier), that could bring about what is termed "nipple confusion" and interfere with his ability to nurse properly. As there are literally hundreds of benefits of breastfeeding, both physical and emotional, for both baby and mother, anything at all that might interfere with this extremely beneficial relationship should be avoided.

Your son has good survival instincts! While his resistance to bottles may be frustrating for you, your baby is strongly communicating his legitimate need to be with you as much as possible. Bottles, even when filled with breastmilk, cannot satisfy a baby's emotional need for the mother's presence. For the early months and years, it is essential that he have full opportunity to bond first with his mother - only then can he successfully move on to bonded relationships with his father and, later, with other persons.

Breastfeeding, beyond all of its many physical benefits, has the added bonus of requiring the mother's presence. A baby has no sense of time and no way of knowing that an absent mother will ever return, yet he understands that her presence is essential. Thus her absence can be quite terrifying. For this reason, it is imperative to keep absences to the barest minimum (in terms of length of time and number of times), and if it is absolutely essential to leave him, try to be gone as short a time as possible, and to schedule things so that you are gone between feedings, or during naps, rather than during a time when he is apt to be hungry.

If a separation is absolutely unavoidable during a time when he is hungry, perhaps he will accept expressed breastmilk from a spoon. In a relatively short time, he will be able to drink from a cup. However, I offer these suggestions reluctantly and definitely not as a routine solution, but only as something that might be used in a rare, emergency situation. It would be far better to avoid separations as much as possible, and to carefully schedule any departures that cannot be avoided. In fact I urge you to make every effort to avoid such departures altogether if possible. Not only do alternate feeding methods interfere with his ability to nurse from you, but more significantly, all separations can interfere to some degree with his developing sense of trust and security.

I would like to stress an important practical consideration that is often overlooked. Sometimes parents assume that a baby will not be welcome or appropriate in a certain situation, when in fact they may be pleasantly surprised if they ask to bring the baby along. Many parents have had the frustrating discovery of attending a function without their baby or child, only to find that others have brought theirs along. If a mother must attend a function where babies are definitely not allowed, she can ask that the baby be brought to her for nursing breaks. Requests like this can even help others in society to become more aware of the critical importance of breastfeeding and bonding. With such a request - even if it is denied - a mother can contribute to the process of social change. In many countries of the world, babies and children are far more welcome in "adult" settings than in North America. It is time to request and advocate change in this area!

It is not only the baby who finds separation difficult. Breastfeeding mothers quite naturally find that they also become uneasy when separated from their baby. The following is excerpted from the La Leche League book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (New York: Penguin Books, 1991):

"You won't want to leave your baby any more than you have to because babies need their mothers. It's a need that is as basic and intense as his need for food. 'That's all well and good,' you may be thinking, 'but what about me? I have needs too.' Of course a mother has needs, and sometimes other responsibilities and obligations cause a mother to be away from her baby more than she wants to be. But you may be surprised to find how strong the bond is that develops between you and your baby. A mother often finds that when she does leave her baby for that long-awaited 'night out', she worries so much about how the baby is getting along that she doesn't really enjoy the occasion!"

I also recommend Dr. Kimmel's short book, Whatever Happened to Mother?, which explores the nature and importance of mother-child bonding.

Author,

Jan Hunt

Kangaroo Mother Care: The Magic of a Mother's Touch

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is for every mother; every baby. The mother's skin is the baby's natural environment, and both physically and emotionally the healthiest place for the baby to be, says KMC researcher Dr. Nils Bergman of Cape Town.

When Krisanne Collard's "tiny miracle" was born at 24 weeks, she weighed only 795 grams. To save her life, baby Kaia was rushed into intensive care in another hospital 40 kilometres away and put onto a ventilator because she needed oxygen. Krisanne was devastated - she had just given birth, but her arms were empty. Even when she was able to visit her baby and touch her gently, Krisanne felt terribly helpless. Kaia's heart kept stopping whenever she was touched, and she wasn't expected to live.

So when the staff gave Krisanne a reclining chair and suggested she take off her shirt and bra so they could put Kaia onto her warm skin, she was absolutely terrified. "Kaia was so tiny and fragile," she says, "I thought I would kill her if I touched her - maybe her heart would stop beating again. But the staff were very encouraging, so I was finally willing to give it a try. To my amazement, Kaia wriggled a few times, snuggled in and fell into a deep, healing sleep. Her blood-oxygen saturation increased so well that we had to turn down her ventilator by almost half! "I was on top of the world and felt like a real mother for the very first time. After that I held her skin-to-skin on my chest every day and she thrived", she adds.

Why all newborn babies need KMC

KMC research assistant Marianne Littlejohn explains that the transition from the womb to the world is a big adjustment for any baby, even if they are not premature. When we go through very big changes, the first thing we search for is the safety and comfort of something familiar. "Being placed skin-to-skin on the mother's chest stabilizes the baby better than an incubator or heated cot", she says. "The baby is soothed and comforted by the mother's familiar heartbeat, her smell and the sound of her voice." The mother's gentle touch and breathing also stimulate the baby's breathing, and he is rewarded with the sweet-tasting colostrum from her breasts. This eases the baby though the new experience of being outside the mother's body for the very first time.

Newborns need to be kept warm until their temperatures stabilize, and a mother's body is beautifully designed to do this. The temperature on her chest will rise two degrees to warm a cold baby, and fall one degree to cool a hot baby, stabilizing the baby's temperature better than even the most modern incubator. This phenomenon is called "maternal-infant thermal synchrony." If the mother has had an anaesthetic or is too ill to hold the baby, he can be placed skin-to-skin on his dad's chest instead. Dad's voice is also familiar and soothing to the baby and he can help keep the baby warm too. Fathers who have had this extra contact with their newborns are more likely to be involved in caring for the baby than fathers who missed out on early contact.

Why babies need their mothers

"The more skin-to-skin contact, the better", says Dr. Bergman. "It should ideally start at birth, but is helpful any time, and will immediately soothe and calm the baby". If they are separated from their mothers, babies start to cry in distress, stopping only when they are too tired to go on. These distress calls are similar to the distress calls of other baby mammals who have lost their mothers, and are an attempt to bring the mother back. This is called the "protest-despair" response, as the baby finally gives up if the mother doesn't appear, and stops crying in order to conserve energy for survival.

The reason that babies (premature and also full-term) become so distressed when they are separated from their mothers, is that they know instinctively that if she abandons them, they will die. The mother provides everything the baby needs to stay alive: safety, warmth, protection and food. In nature, a baby separated from its mother wouldn't survive for very long, and babies are born knowing that being with their mothers is essential if they are going to survive. As a result, any separation from the mother can create high stress levels in the newborn, with long-term adverse effects on the baby's physical and emotional health. So we refer to the mother and baby as a "dyad" - a pair who should not be separated, but kept together from birth on.

The miracle of a mother's touch

If separation has occurred, the "miracle of a mother's touch" is that reunited with their mothers, babies recover almost immediately. Their heart rate and breathing become normal, their temperatures stabilize and their stress hormones (e.g. cortisol), return to acceptable levels. "We used to think it was normal for incubator babies to have very variable heart rates, irregular breathing and fluctuations in body temperature", says Dr. Bergman. "Now we know that these are the signs of a baby who is in distress. As soon as the baby is placed in his right "habitat" (skin-to-skin on the mother's chest), these vital signs return to normal very quickly." This means that the baby is no longer distressed, and can use all his energy for feeding, growing and thriving, rather than just trying to survive.

Sometimes premature babies are also ill and need to be on drips, be tube fed, and receive oxygen. "When they are needed we can combine these life-saving procedures, and the very latest technology, with KMC", says Dr. Bergman. "This way babies can receive the best of both worlds". A healthy preemie can be tied to the mother's chest in the "Kangaroo Wrapper" and the mother can even walk around with her baby on an IV drip. Oxygen can also be given to babies while they lie skin-to-skin on their mother's chest and babies can be tube-fed in the KMC position as well.

Benefits of breastfeeding preemies

Breastfeeding is a very important part of KMC, says Dr. Bergman. If babies are too small to suck, they are tube-fed their own mother's milk that she is helped to express, until the baby can suck on his own. Nature has designed things so beautifully that the milk of a mother who gives birth prematurely is quite different from the milk of a mother who has given birth to a full-term baby. The former contains special nutrients, which help the very tiny baby to grow and thrive. Also vitally important are the antibodies present in the mother's milk, which protect the baby from disease.

The colostrum, or clear fluid, that is in the mother's breasts for the first few days is especially important for a number of reasons. It is vital that this should also be expressed and given to a baby who is too small to suck yet. This "liquid gold" is highly nutritious and easily digestible. It is the best possible food for any newborn baby, and prepares the baby's stomach to receive the mother's milk, which will come in on the third day after birth. Even if mothers have chosen not to breastfeed, it is recommended that they express colostrum and breast-milk for their babies if they are born prematurely or are ill in any way.

KMC for "every" baby

KMC is not just for premature babies either. The transition from womb to world is a big upheaval for any baby. How we receive them and treat them for the first few days of life will set the pattern for how they will come to perceive the world. We need to reassure them that they have arrived in a good place where they will be loved, cared for, fed and nurtured. All healthy newborns should be kept in constant skin-to-skin contact with their mothers. This enhances bonding, gives them the very best start to life (both physically and emotionally), and enables optimal brain development as well.

"Someone once told me that the parents are the only ones who benefit from Kangaroo Mother Care", says Krisanne. "I don't agree. I saw the dramatic changes in my little miracle when I held her to my heart. For the parents, Kangarooing satisfies the need to feel like a Mom or Dad and gives us a chance to do something for our babies. For the premature babies, Kangaroo Mother Care lowers oxygen requirements, stabilizes heart rates, gives them an overall sense of peace and so much more!" If babies could tell us what they most need, they would simply say, "Hold me, feed me and love me". Mothers have always known this - now the studies tell us they were right!

by Pat Törngren

The Importance of Skin to Skin Contact

There are now a multitude of studies that show that mothers and babies should be together, skin to skin (baby naked, not wrapped in a blanket) immediately after birth, as well as later. The baby is happier, the baby's temperature is more stable and more normal, the baby's heart and breathing rates are more stable and more normal, and the baby's blood sugar is more elevated. Not only that, skin to skin contact immediately after birth allows the baby to be colonized by the same bacteria as the mother. This, plus breastfeeding, are thought to be important in the prevention of allergic diseases. When a baby is put into an incubator, his skin and gut are often colonized by bacteria different from his mother's.

We now know that this is true not only for the baby born at term and in good health, but also even for the premature baby. Skin to skin contact and Kangaroo Mother Care can contribute much to the care of the premature baby. Even babies on oxygen can be cared for skin to skin, and this helps reduce their needs for oxygen, and keeps them more stable in other ways as well.

From the point of view of breastfeeding, babies who are kept skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth for at least an hour, are more likely to latch on without any help and they are more likely to latch on well, especially if the mother did not receive medication during the labour or birth. As mentioned in "Breastfeeding - Starting out Right", a baby who latches on well gets milk more easily than a baby who latches on less well. When a baby latches on well, the mother is less likely to be sore. When a mother's milk is abundant, the baby can take the breast poorly and still get lots of milk, though the feedings may then be long or frequent or both, and the mother is more prone to develop problems such as blocked ducts and mastitis. In the first few days, however, the mother does not have a lot of milk (but she has enough!), and a good latch is important to help the baby get the milk that is available (yes, the milk is there even if someone has "proved" to you with the big pump that there isn't any). If the baby does not latch on well, the mother may be sore, and if the baby does not get milk well, the baby will want to be on the breast for long periods of time worsening the soreness.

To recap, skin to skin contact immediately after birth, which lasts for at least an hour has the following positive effects on the baby:

• Are more likely to latch on
• Are more likely to latch on well
• Have more stable and normal skin temperatures
• Have more stable and normal heart rates and blood pressures
• Have higher blood sugars
• Are less likely to cry
• Are more likely to breastfeed exclusively longer

There is no reason that the vast majority of babies cannot be skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth for at least an hour. Hospital routines, such as weighing the baby, should not take precedence.

The baby should be dried off and put on the mother. Nobody should be pushing the baby to do anything; nobody should be trying to help the baby latch on during this time. The mother, of course, may make some attempts to help the baby, and this should not be discouraged. The mother and baby should just be left in peace to enjoy each other's company. (The mother and baby should not be left alone, however, especially if the mother has received medication, and it is important that not only the mother's partner, but also a nurse, midwife, doula or physician stay with them—occasionally, some babies do need medical help and someone qualified should be there "just in case"). The eyedrops and the injection of vitamin K can wait a couple of hours. By the way, immediate skin to skin contact can also be done after cæsarean section, even while the mother is getting stitched up, unless there are medical reasons which prevent it.

Studies have shown that even premature babies, as small as 1200 g (2 lb 10 oz) are more stable metabolically (including the level of their blood sugars) and breathe better if they are skin to skin immediately after birth. The need for an intravenous infusion, oxygen therapy or a nasogastric tube, for example, or all the preceding, does not preclude skin to skin contact. Skin to skin contact is quite compatible with other measures taken to keep the baby healthy. Of course, if the baby is quite sick, the baby's health must not be compromised, but any premature baby who is not suffering from respiratory distress syndrome can be skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth. Indeed, in the premature baby, as in the full term baby, skin to skin contact may decrease rapid breathing into the normal range.

Even if the baby does not latch on during the first hour or two, skin to skin contact is still good and important for the baby and the mother for all the other reasons mentioned.

If the baby does not take the breast right away, do not panic. There is almost never any rush, especially in the full term healthy baby. One of the most harmful approaches to feeding the newborn has been the bizarre notion that babies must feed every three hours. Babies should feed when they show signs of being ready, and keeping a baby next to his mother will make it obvious to her when the baby is ready. There is actually not a stitch of proof that babies must feed every three hours or by any schedule, but based on such a notion, many babies are being pushed into the breast because three hours have passed. The baby not interested yet in feeding may object strenuously, and thus is pushed even more, resulting, in many cases, in babies refusing the breast because we want to make sure they take the breast. And it gets worse. If the baby keeps objecting to being pushed into the breast and gets more and more upset, then the "obvious next step" is to give a supplement. And it is obvious where we are headed

Baby Care Tips For You And For Baby

What baby care tips are essential for you and your newborn??

The mother of a baby is the busiest person on earth, and these baby care tips are designed to put a little order and routine back into your day to day routine. In no time at all, these baby care tips will become second nature for you and your baby helping you to get back to a somewhat 'normal' life.

Breastfeeding Baby Care

There is, has and always will be a lot of controversy on breastfeeding depending on where you live in the world. In some countries it's the norm and most people would not bat an eyelid if they saw a mother sit down in a restaurant and start to breastfeed her baby. In other countries such as the UK and the US, surprisingly and quite sadly, breastfeeding is frowned upon by many. I personally breastfed both my children and though I made a point of being discreet, I valued my right to feed my child where, when and how I chose to.

However, I also appreciated the fact that I was lucky to be able to breastfeed as I know many mothers want to but can't for whatever reason. Even those that choose not to breast feed should not be maligned. The majority of us live in a society where we have a freedom of choice and whatever our feelings or opinions on a matter, we should allow everyone the right to choose what is best for them and their baby.

That said it is common knowledge that there are huge health benefits to breastfeeding for both mom and baby so that's why this is key to baby care. Baby's first drink of breast milk is colostrum which is full of antibodies which help babies immune system and is full of fat and protein to help baby put on weight in their first few days. Breastfeeding also helps mom's uterus to contract more quickly. A weird sensation when it happens but utterly amazing when you think about it.

Then consider the other positives of breastfeeding to baby care. Milk is on tap, ready to go at the right temperature whatever the time of day and if baby emptied one 'bottle' or boob, there was another ready and waiting to go. I did co-sleeping with my second baby as I was concerned about waking the house up in the middle of the night for feeds which worked out well for all as most times throughout the night, she would latch on herself and feed without me being barely aware. Baby care doesn't really get any easier than that.

I did express so that my husband could also be involved and there were times that he did the night feeds with both children so that I could get a complete nights rest.

Bottle Feeding Baby Care

If you are bottle-feeding your baby then make sure that the bottles are well sterilized and clean. There are many makes of bottle sterilizers that are available. There are some that you can put in the microwave and some that will continually sterilize throughout the day so that you always have clean bottles and teats available to go when you need them.

Also consider your formula well. Check the ingredients and look for those that have the friendly bacteria for the gut. Make sure that you buy the formula appropriate for your baby's age. To rich and it may cause constipation, too thin and lacking in vitamins etc, and your baby may not gain weight as they should.

Baby Sleeping Baby Care

With your first child, you will have probably read numerous books about how to put your baby to bed and have bought a moses basket, then a cot or cot bed. Come your subsequent children, you then realise though nice to have, the most important thing is whether your baby is comfortable, safe and warm or cool enough. My first child went into his own cot bed when he was 3 weeks old as we couldn't stand anymore of his warthog snoring. He was also in a baby sleeping bag. Our daughter slept with me in our bed until she slept through most of the night before moving to her own bed. Especially as I was breast feeding both, I made sure that I didn't drink a lot (the odd glass of wine at a weekend is fine), I don't do drugs, they weren't too hot or cold and the room was well ventilated. Use your common sense here regarding baby care and use and do what's best for you.

Clothing Baby Care

Summer clothes should be light cotton ones. When baby is taken out, make sure that his head does not get the direct sun. Make the most of parasols or stroller sun covers. The covers in particular also help against wasps. An important baby care tip to remember for all - sun cream is essential even if your baby is dark skinned. My children are mixed race and even with factor 50, they still tan.

In winter, there may be sweaters, trousers and other woollens. Just bear in mind that if they are in nappies or diapers still, you need quick and easy access to change them especially when you are out and about. Some changing facilities are tiny or cramped and you don't really want to spend more time there than you should. Remember a change of clothes too. My son was the worst but they both had explosive poos the force of which sent their poo right up their backs and it was far easier to take the whole lot off than to try and clean around it!

Changing Baby Care

Changing of nappies or diapers whether disposable or not should take place regularly. Sometimes babies will let you know in their own particular way but it's best to get into the habit of checking their bottoms at least every 3 hours. That way you'll soon get to know baby's toilet habits and can adjust it accordingly.

Bathing Baby Care

I hope that I don't sound too patronising but the best advice here is common sense. Make sure that you have everything that you need BEFORE you start bathing. Have baby's towel ready on his changing mat, his nappy and night clothes all in place before you start.

Please ensure that the bath water is not too hot and not too cold - 9of or 32c is ideal. It should only be a couple of inches deep if it is in a family bath. At this age baby doesn't need bubble bath, just gentle no-tears formula soap should suffice.

Ensure that you support baby's head safely. Once washed and dried, massage a little moisturizing cream into baby's skin and get him dressed for bed.

Immunisation Baby Care

The baby should be immunized against Small Pox & Measles with BCG within 3 months of its age. The first DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Psertussis, Polio, HIB, Meningitis C) is due within the first 2 months followed by the 2nd and the 3rd one at one month intervals. The MMR vaccination against Measles, Mumps and Rubella should be done within 1 years of age. The boosters should be taken after the baby is 4 years old.

Training and Education Baby Care

Babies learn by watching and listening. Yes I babble baby talk to my two but I also talked sensibly to them like an adult. When getting them dressed I would put their left arm in its sleeve and say to them, 'let's put your left arm in your sleeve'. By 18 months both children knew their right from their left, could say things like open door, shut door, roof, bus, sky drink, biscuit etc because I constantly read or pointed things like this out to them. Learning can and at this age, should be fun.

The most important baby care tip of all

The parents should find enough time to spend quality with the baby but also together and by themselves. Find time for baby time, couple time and me time!

Erin Costello was an industry executive but is now a mother of two.

She researches and writes from personal experience as well as on topics and issues that affect women such as breast, ovarian and cervical cancer, pregnancy and baby care, women's health and beauty, relationships amongst others.

Mucus in Baby's Stool

Presence of mucus in baby's stool can be a cause of worry for parents. This article will provide you with some information about the various aspects of the condition.

It is said that changes in the color and consistency of stool may be an indication of some underlying health problem. In order to understand the abnormality of bowel movements, you must know about what normal stool looks like. As newborns, humans have black tarry stool, which is followed by yellow seedy and watery stool. As the kids grow, the stool color and consistency change and in an adult human being, the normal stool color is found as shades of brown (especially, the color of cardboard), with a consistency of peanut butter. Any change in such color and consistency has to be diagnosed, if persistent. Sometimes, you may notice mucus in baby's stool.

Causes

Now you understand that a baby's stool color and consistency can change with growth. There are many other factors that affect the nature of baby's stool. This includes the type of food ingested by the baby as well as the mother. Mucus in baby's stool is usually not considered a cause of concern. 

 

According to health experts, some amount of mucus in the stool of babies is normal. A small amount of mucus lining the intestines may get expelled with the stool. It is also said that this is mostly seen in breast-fed babies, as they use up breast milk so efficiently that most of their stool consists of mucus. But, if the condition is persistent or is accompanied with other symptoms, you must consult the pediatrician at the earliest. Let us take a look at the possible causes of this condition.

Babies with cystic fibrosis may develop mucus in stool. In those babies, mucus buildup is observed in the lungs and the intestines and this results in expulsion of some mucus through stools, which can be foul-smelling and greasy too.

If the baby's stool is green and contains mucus, it could be due to some viral infection. Teething is another cause for this condition. This is due to the increased drooling that causes ingestion of excess saliva, which irritates the intestine and results in expulsion of mucus along with stools.

Food allergy is another cause for mucus and blood in baby's stool. Even breast-fed babies may have food allergies, which could be caused by the food consumed by the mother.

One of the serious causes for this condition is intussusception, which is characterized by intestinal blockage, caused by another part of the intestine itself. In such cases, jelly like stools will be passed by the baby, who will experience intermittent pain and vomiting too. The stool will contain mucus as well as blood and this condition requires immediate treatment.

Infections of the bowel (both viral as well as bacterial) can be among the potential causes for mucus and blood in baby's stool. In some cases, mucus in stool may be due to intake of fruits like, bananas.

In short, mucus in baby's stool without other symptoms like, fever, pain and change in stool color, is not a cause of worry, if the condition is not persistent. However, it is always better to consult your pediatrician, who will be the best person to analyze the condition. If the mucus is red, contact the doctor immediately. It could be due to various reasons, some of which can be serious.

Treatment for the condition depends on the underlying cause. While in some cases, the condition may subside without any treatment, some others may require treatment as per the underlying condition. 

 

While intussusception is often treated with immediate surgery, the condition (mucus in stool) will subside on its own, if caused by teething or viral infection. So, if you detect this condition in your baby, don't panic. If the baby is having other symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. If there is blood in baby's stool, along with mucus, then also immediate medical attention is required. If the baby is otherwise healthy, then wait for a day or two and then contact the doctor, if the condition persists. The above said is only a brief overview about mucus in baby's stool. It is always better to seek the opinion of your doctor, if you have any doubts regarding the condition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your doctor is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.

Author,

Sonia Nair

Food Allergies in Babies

Food allergies in babies are estimated to affect 6% of the total population of children in the United States of America. It is important that we understand the foods which cause food allergies. The following write-up will help us know more on allergies in babies caused due to food. Read on ...

Often parents are told that food allergies in babies are uncommon. However, the statistics prove otherwise. 1 in 18 children suffers from food allergies. If a child does not eat a particular food, it does not always mean that the child is allergic to that food. In all probabilities the child does not like the food, hence, it refuses to eat. Let us first understand what are food allergies.

What are Food Allergies?

Food allergy is an immune response by the body to a food that the body is allergic to. Often the body makes an antibody, which tells the immune system to fight the intruder. The body therefore releases histamines. These histamines cause allergic symptoms.

Signs of Food Allergies in Babies

The time taken to display symptoms can vary from one child to another and can range from a few minutes to a few hours. Here are some of the common signs exhibited.

Hives

Eczema

Diarrhea

Itching

Constipation

Ear Infections

Swelling

Trouble in breathing

Vomiting

Collic

Runny or stuffy nose

Severe allergic reactions - It refers to reactions in the whole body, which include wheezing, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, and difficulty in breathing.

In case of severe reactions, medical help should be sought immediately. If an allergy to a certain food is hereditary, the symptoms of the allergies to that food is not apparent till the baby has eaten the food a few times, the symptoms might develop after that particular food product is consumed a few times. 

 

Indirect exposure to allergic food too can cause complications. It means that if a baby is allergic to eggs, then eggs eaten through cakes and cookies are also to be counted in the exposure, although indirect. The other indirect way is if the mother has eaten an egg, while she is still breastfeeding the child.

Common Food Allergies

Food allergies can be caused due to direct consumption of a food or through the mother's milk. 

 

Therefore, it is important that the mother keeps a watch on what she is eating and checks if the food she is consuming is causing an allergy in the baby. In such a situation, the mother should avoid the food till after she has breastfed the baby. When you introduce new food to your baby remember to keep a gap of 10 to 12 days. At the same it is always better if you introduce only one new food at a time. In case of an allergy it will be easy for you to find out, which food is causing the allergy. 

 

Generally speaking, a child can be allergic to any food, but there are some foods which are more problematic than the rest. Statistics have shown that the following common food products account for 80% of allergies in babies.

Milk, especially cow milk

Wheat

Eggs

Soy

Peanuts

Fish, especially salmon and tuna fish

Shellfish, shrimp, crab, and lobsters

Tree-nuts like walnuts, cashew, etc.

How to Prevent

It is difficult to prevent these allergies altogether, but they can be prevented if adequate care is taken. 

 

There are many opinions in regard to preventing food allergies. Some pediatricians opine that breastfeeding babies for a longer period of time protects them from potential allergy causing allergens. This advice should be followed, especially where either one of the parent suffers from allergies. You can try alternative food products if the baby is allergic to a certain food. For example, in case of allergy to milk, you can give non-allergic formula or you can try soy formulated food products.

These allergies do not pose a threat to the babies. It has been observed that most of the food allergies disappear after a few years. Then the food can be reintroduced after the child grows up.

Author,

Bhakti Satalkar

How to Make Baby Food

The following article will give you some four quick, easy, and healthy baby food ideas.

Making baby food is quite easy as you do not have to use a whole lot of ingredients. Homemade baby food usually contains only two or three ingredients which are easily available. Food for babies and toddlers should be made only with the most nutritious food items like fruits and vegetables. Fruits like bananas, avocado, apples and veggies like peas, green beans, sweet potatoes are generally encouraged by baby food nutritionists. Without wasting anymore time, let's learn how to make baby food in just a few minutes.

Baby Fruit Salad

As we all know, fruits are rich in nutrients, so for this baby food dish, we are going to make use of some of the most nutritious fruits - avocados, bananas, and pears. This recipe is for babies between 6 to 8 months of age.

Ingredients

Ripe avocados, 3

Ripe bananas, 3

Steamed pears, 3

Process

Firstly, peel, slice, and seed all the fruits. Place the sliced fruits in a clean blender or food processor and blend until desired texture is achieved, do not make it too liquidy or too thick. Remove in a small bowl and feed immediately. If your baby is above 8 months, you can add dollops of yogurt.

Rice and Fruit Squash

Butternut and acorn squash are the perfect choices when it comes to squash as they are high in calcium and various vitamins. Besides, they are smooth and delicious, so your baby is sure to love them!

Ingredients

Squash (acorn, butternut, or other winter squash), 1

Cooked brown rice, 1 cup

Applesauce ½ cup

Process

First cut the butternut or acorn squash in half; discard the seeds. Take a large pan, place the squash halves face down in it and pour water until an inch of the squash is covered. Bake for about 40 minutes at 400ºF in a preheated oven until the shell of the squash puckers and the pulp becomes soft. 

 

Scoop the pulp out of the shell, place it a food processor. Add applesauce and cooked rice to it. You can also add water if necessary and blend until smooth and thin in consistency.

Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet potatoes are a must for baby food. If you are dying to know how to make your own baby food, this simple and nutritious recipe is the answer.

Ingredients

Medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, 3

Bay leaf, 1

Homemade chicken stock, 3 cups

Chopped celery, 1 cup

Chopped onion, ½ cup

Canola oil, 1 tbsp.

Dried basil, ½ tsp.

Process

Pour oil in a large pot and sauté onion and celery in it until tender. Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil over medium heat, and then reduce the heat. Let it simmer for bout 25 - 30 minutes. 

 

Discard the bay leaf, cool a little, and then blend it until smooth. Return the soup to the pan and heat through. Feed warm.

Peas Dinner

This healthy dinner is for babies above 8 months. Babies of this age need more than simple liquids. In this recipe, we will make use of nutritious chicken, sweet potatoes, and peas.

Ingredients

Small sweet potato, peeled and diced, 1

Boneless and skinless chicken breast, cubed, ½

Water or homemade chicken broth, 3 cups

Frozen peas, ½ cup

A pinch of dried sage

Process

Add the chicken breast to a large saucepan and cover with stock or water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add sweet potato and cook further for 3 minutes. Now add the peas, cook for 2 more minutes. Cool for a bit. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, add sage, and blend until smooth.

Now that you have these simple recipes at hand, you can stop worrying about what to feed your little angel.

Author,

Girija Shinde

Making Baby Food

Are you wondering how to make baby food at home? Well, it is quite easy. Read on for some easy homemade baby food recipes.
 

While making baby food, several important things need to be kept in mind, out of which the most important is the age of the baby. Babies should not be fed any solid food until they are 6 months old. 

 

In fact, till then they should be fed only mother's milk. Secondly, you should avoid a few things, most importantly spices. Not even a pinch of spice should be added to baby food, even salt should be minimal. Only food that is easy to digest and nutritious should be opted for.

Rice Pudding

Ingredients

1 cup cooked rice

1 cup warmed milk

1 tbsp. granulated sugar

2-3 drops vanilla extract

Process

Take a medium-sized bowl, add all the ingredients in it. Mix well and cook for 10 minutes on low heat. Let cool slightly and then feed. Do not forget to check the temperature before serving. This recipe is for 6 - 9 month old babies.

Vegetable Purée

Ingredients

250 g butternut squash or pumpkin, peeled

250 g potatoes

250 g sweet potatoes

250 g carrots

Process

Cut the veggies in small pieces, set aside. Put a steamer set over boiling water, place the veggies into it, and cook for about 15-20 minutes. If you do not have a steamer set, place the veggies in a pan and pour boiling water over them, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. When done, purée the vegetable using the liquid of the veggies that remains in the pan. Feed lukewarm. To store, pour into ice cube tray and freeze until needed.

Rice with Chicken

Ingredients

1 peach, peeled and diced

½ cup diced, cooked boneless skinless chicken

¼ cup cooked brown rice

2 tbsp. milk

Process

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and purée until you get the desired texture and consistency. 

 

Isn't making your own baby food easy? This recipe is especially for babies who are 6-8 months old. 

 

The baby is sure to like the yummy chicken and rice taste!

Vegetables with Cheese

Ingredients

1 medium carrot (approx 125 g), peeled and sliced

300 g potatoes, peeled and chopped

75 g broccoli florets

40 g cheddar cheese, grated

15 g unsalted butter

4 tbsp. baby's usual milk

Process

Take a large saucepan and add carrots and potatoes to it, add boiling water and cook for about 20 minutes until tender. While the carrots and potatoes are cooking, steam broccoli in another saucepan for about 7 minutes. After the broccoli is tender, add it to the potatoes mixture after about 12 minutes. 

 

Drain and mash the veggies, add butter, cheese, and milk. This is a recipe for babies who are 9 - 12 months old.

Potato Soup
Ingredients

3 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), peeled and cubed

1 bay leaf

1 cup celery, chopped

½ cup onion, chopped

1 tbsp. canola oil

½ tsp. dried basil

Homemade chicken stock

Process

Take a large pot, add oil to it and sauté onion and celery in it. Add all the other remaining ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 25 - 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender and then lower the heat. Remove the bay leaf and cool. Purée in a food processor in batches. 

 

Again heat the soup, cool, and then serve. This is a recipe for 9 - 12 months old babies.

There are also many books on cooking baby food which can provide you with proper guidance. Make baby food at home and get rid of the tension of whether the food you are serving is fresh and healthy.

Author,

Girija Shinde

Iron-rich Foods for Babies

Iron-rich foods form an important part of the daily diet, and are essential for the proper growth and development of babies. The following article will provide more information with respect to the fulfillment of iron requirement in infants.

Newborn babies have a fixed reserve of iron, which lasts for about six months. Once the iron levels in the body get depleted, it becomes absolutely necessary to include iron-rich foods in their diet.

Why is Iron-rich Foods Important for Babies?

Iron is very important for the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen transport to all the tissues of the body. If there is deficiency of iron in the body, it will lead to anemia, making the baby lethargic, pale and weak. Iron deficiency anemia is commonly observed in babies belonging to the age group of 9-24 months. It may even lead to a delay in talking, walking, and development of behavioral skills.

Iron-rich Foods

The amount of iron required by babies and toddlers has been given below.

Age Amount of Iron

0 to 3 months 1.7 mg

4 to 6 months 4.3 mg

7 to 12 months 7.8 mg

1 to 3 years 6.9 mg

Babies get the required dose of iron through breast milk for the first 6 months. Then, they need to be given infant formulas to fulfill their iron requirements. These baby formulas are enriched with iron, and also contain vitamin C, that helps in the absorption of iron.

In addition, you can include baby cereals and mashed vegetables as the first foods for your baby. 

 

When your baby starts eating these soft foods comfortably, you can gradually introduce meat or fish to the mashed vegetables and rice cereal. The meat should be cooked to a very soft consistency, and should not contain any bones. You can try including minced meat, as it will be easier for the baby to digest. Broccoli, watercress, sprouts, and cabbage may also be included. A baby can also be given dried apricots, figs, and raisins. Do not give your baby cow's milk till he/she is 1-year old. Cow's milk contains very little iron, and also hampers the absorption of iron from other foods.

Iron-rich Foods for Toddlers

The following is a list of iron-rich foods for toddlers, and should be eaten consumed at least once in a day.

Beans and lentils

Blackstrap molasses

Cornmeal

Dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, dates, and apricots

Swiss chard

Asparagus

Parsley

Watercress

Brussels sprout

Egg yolk

Flax seeds

Fruits like red bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries

Fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, and kippers

Meat like chicken, pork, turkey, and beef

Kale

Broccoli

Collard

Spinach

Wheat germ

Nutritious food is very important for the overall growth and development of your baby. You can speak to the appropriate doctor, and plan a balanced diet for your baby.

 

Author,

 

Batul Nafisa Baxamusa

 

Building Healthy Eating Habits in Children

As parents we often forget to inform children of the necessary nutrition that must be consumed on a daily basis. Instead we coax them more to depend upon junk food while parents are busy in their occupation.

Making health a top necessity in your family takes discipline, time and maintenance. To attempt something new and to introduce a system in your family takes a lot of patience. There may be tantrums or whining from your youngsters yet don't move an inch in the event that you are dead set to enhance your family's health!

Need for Healthy Eating Regimen at Home

You might have seen the uncontrollable rise in obese adults today due to the lifestyle they follow and the kind of diet they follow! But did you realize that weight in youngsters is additionally on the ascent? This is an issue that needs to be taken into consideration in the event that you have youngsters in your family unit. In this manner assuming that you know your family spends a lot of money in buying junk food or large measure of potato chips, bread sticks and other kinds of junk food it may be time to make a change that will affect you, your life partner and your family as well.

In the event that you ingrain the imperativeness of healthy eating habits your youngsters will grow up with a higher regard towards healthy living. Basically controlling what your kids consume and drink in their childhood is liable to proceed as they get to be teenagers and mature people. Unhealthy habits in children when they're young will stay with them as they develop. The concern is when they begin having health problems at a very young age the most popular being obesity and high blood pressure.

Things to Do

Contingent upon the age group of the children at home and their current eating habits, getting them to consume the right food in a healthy way might possibly be troublesome to initiate. You may even need to demonstrate to them pictures/videos about the outcomes of heavy weight and what can happen further down the road assuming that they are not health cognizant. This is an important way to influence their habits during childhood to get them to make a change. You know your family the best so you may need to get somewhat imaginative for this to work for everybody.

One fun approach to begin creating healthy eating habits at home is to make it a family schedule of the kind of food you might be cooking. Also taking you kids out during the weekends for eating delicious meals will not instigate them to spend money on eating junk food from any other source. 

Spoiling them once in a while can prevent kids from becoming spoiled. You should however make sure that your children are actively participating in sports activities or anything recreational to burn the calories. Set a transient objective, for example, no unhealthy nourishment decisions for a month. 

If everybody in your family remains faithful to it then treat them on a Sunday with an excursion or a motion picture night with popcorn and soft drinks. You can even utilize stickers or stamps (particularly for adolescent youngsters) to follow up on the healthy living habits.

Author,

Rajit

Breastfeeding Tips - Is Your Baby Getting Enough Breastmilk?

You are aware of the health benefits of breastfeeding and you want to provide the best possible infant nutrition that you can...your own breastmilk.  Yet somehow you don't know if you are producing enough breastmilk.  How much is enough?

It is difficult to convince yourself, your mother, or even your husband that your baby is getting enough breastmilk when you are not filling up the container yourself and measuring how much the baby has taken.  But breastfeeding is not just a different type of milk in a different type of container. 

 

 There is physiology associated with breastfeeding and you should know how it works.

Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. The more often you feed your baby and the more breastmilk  the baby takes away, the more milk you will produce.  But it doesn't happen overnight.   It can take several months for this process to regulate itself.  Apparently this is too long for some and a lot of mothers give up before their baby's 3rd month of life is completed.

Just because nursing is natural does not mean it comes naturally to every woman.  Many things can happen that interfere with the normal and natural breastfeeding process. One of the main ways that this process is interfered with is by separation of baby and mother in the first days following birth.

Baby should be put to the breast within the first 30 minutes of life and fed at least 8 times per day.  

 

This time of early and frequent nursing will not only establish a good milk supply but provide frequent opportunities for the baby to perfect his latching technique.

The advantages of breastfeeding in this early period are many including supplying the baby with the rich immuno-protective properties of colostrum which is the precursor to breastmilk. Hormones released during suckling cause uterine contractions and promote normal involution of the uterus to its pre-pregnant state.

Signs your baby is not getting enough breastmilk:

lack of weight gain.  Baby should be back to birth weight by three weeks.

infrequent wet diapers.  Baby should have 6-8 wet diapers per day.

fatigue - if baby is not getting enough breastmilk  he may be fatigued and lack the energy to suck vigourouly enough to empty the breast completely.  He may even fall asleep before he has had enough to eat.

your breasts do not get firm before the next feeding is due

Do not confuse sleepiness and lack of crying with "contentedness".   Sometimes babies who are underfed do not cry often or hard because they lack energy.  In fact your underfed baby may be quite placid and sleepy.  He needs more breastmilk to give him the energy to cry and fuss when he wants more to eat.

If breastfeeding did not get off to a good start for you and your baby it is possible that your baby is not getting enough breastmilk.  If you want to continue to provide your baby with all the advantages of breastfeeding here are some breastfeeding tips to help you build up your milk supply and get your baby gaining on the good stuff!.

Breastfeeding tips:

breastfeed your baby at least 8 times per day in the first few weeks.  If the baby is sleepy then wake him up. Bath time is a good wake up for most babies!

express or pump milk between feedings. Save this milk.

get plenty of rest (between feedings and pumping!)

make sure your baby is latched on properly.  His mouth should be almost completely covering the dark red area around the nipple.  If your baby is not latched properly you may have sore nipples and it is more work for the baby to remove the milk from the breast.

let your baby nurse until he naturally lets go of the nipple.  Babies who have "had enough" will naturally slide off the nipple if a little pressure is exerted.

use both breasts at every feeding and pump both breasts completely dry after the baby has finished feeding.

If your baby is not back to birth weight by three weeks of age you should offer supplemental feedings in a bottle using your own expressed breastmilk but only after the baby has fed from both breasts.  If you do not want to confuse your baby with an artificial nipple you can offer the extra breastmilk with a spoon or a dropper.

Within three days of this regimen you should notice that your breasts are producing more milk.  You will know this because your breasts will feel firmer and may even ache when it is time to feed the baby.

If your baby is getting enough breastmilk to satisfy his needs he will eventually start gaining and becoming more alert ...and he may even start to cry more often!

But do not be fooled into thinking that everything will now proceed in a consistent way.  Breastfed babies often will go through growth spurts and nurse more frequently for a few days until the milk supply is increased to meet their needs.

It is a wonderful system of supply and demand!  Your breasts can supply the milk your baby needs as long as you understand the breasfeeding system and nurse your baby on demand you will always have an endless supply of  breastmilk when your baby needs it and it will always be at the right temperature and in a sterile container too!

Author,

Beverly OMalley

Baby Constipation Remedies That Are Natural

Safina Fergie - Teacher & Mother

The above testimonials have been paraphrased based on their length.

While Donna is a registered nurse, sometimes it pays to have a doctor weigh in on a subject (They do get to wear the cool white coats for a reason, after all). Here is what a general practitioner (G.P. for those of us who frequent the doctor more than we would like) from the Land Down Under had to say about Donna's baby constipation remedies :

"A comprehensive look into a problem that carries very significant distress for its sufferers... This book provides a good framework for understanding the causes of constipation, and therefore the best multipronged approach for resolving it."

Dr. Brian Ambrose, General Practitioner, South Australia

Nearly everyone I spoke with concerning Donna's natural remedy for constipation had the same to say about it. About the only negative thing I received from it concerned the need to run out and get some things that the individual did not have on hand at the time.

Also, there was one parent who complained that the fiber formula found in the book actually increased her twin girls' constipation. I found this strange as no one else had reported that. I got the parent in touch with Donna, and it turns out the parent was reading the instructions wrong the whole time! Her twins now have easy bowel movements and she is both a satisfied customer and parent.

Let me summarize this with the pros and cons of "Help! I Can't Poo":

Pros:

- Completely natural remedy for constipation that can begin working within a few hours.

- A step-by-step guide that will not only relieve constipation fast, but help stop constipation from returning in your children.

- Comes with bonus features such as a guide on how to massage your baby for better bowel movements and healthy recipes for children with food intolerances.

- A one-stop place for all your questions concerning child constipation.

- These baby constipation remedies do not require a medical degree to understand!

Cons:

- May have to run to the store to pick up some items you may not have on hand.

- Make sure you pay attention to the formula amounts and measurements, especially when dealing with fiber!

The baby constipation remedies in "Help! I Can't Poo" can't help my kids any more, but once my grandkids come along it may make a good present for them. I certainly recommend it, but I leave it entirely up to you to make that decision.

If you want to know more about Donna Stark and her eBook "Help! I Can't Poo", then visit Donna's website. And once your babies are tucked in for the night and having regular bowel movements, get some sleep yourself! You'll have earned it, believe me. 

Author,

JakeCollangelo

Baby got Gas? A Guide to Baby Indigestion

Have you ever heard about baby indigestion? Do you even know what that is? Well think about heartburn and indigestion and how it can make you feel. The deep pressure and in your chest and abdomen is enough to make you feel like you are having a heart attack. Now imagine that feeling on a 2 weeks old baby. YIKEES!!! I can tell you that whatever that you feel is magnified by 100% in your child. Added to the intense pain that the child is feeling is the fact that they have no way of telling you how they feel. They cannot say "mommy my tummy hurts".

 What causes baby indigestion? 

 Well, in adults there are several causes, but, for babies, I think we can safely rule out alcohol consumption, smoking and eating spicy foods! It's also fairly uncommon for babies to have stomach ulcers or gallstones. This means that we can focus on food allergies and sensitivities as the 2 main causes of baby indigestion. So now that we have a general idea of the potential causes of baby indigestion; how can we tell if our baby has indigestion?

 Symptoms of baby indigestion can include: 

• Fits of fussing and/or crying that may end after gas is relieved

•  Irritability

•  Constipation

•  Sleeplessness

•  Curds of undigested food in stool (okay, let's just call it poop, that's what it is!)

• Very foul-smelling poop and even diarrhea in extreme cases

 Now it is very important that we understand one thing; and that is indigestion is not a cause or disease unto itself. It's just a symptom. So what we need to do is find the actual cause of baby indigestion. Therefore be aware that the real causes of baby indigestion are:   

• Spoiled food

• Food allergies

• Food sensitivities

 Spoiled Food and Baby Indigestion 

 Spoiled food is not good for adults as it can lead to all sorts of stomach problems and this is no different for our children. Therefore if you are formula feeding your child – ensure that the best before date hasn't expired. Additionally you need to take extra caution when sterilizing all bottles and equipment that touch baby's formula.  Make sure water you are giving baby or using to mix powdered formula is safe and has been boiled. 

 Another thing that we should avoid doing at all costs is re-heating bottles. Mothers if you are guilty of this practice please, please, STOP IMMEDIATELY. If baby has not consumed all of it, dispose of it.   Also if you are pumping breast-milk, make sure that you use ONLY sterilized containers to store it.  Refrigerate and use up the milk within a couple of days or store in a freezer to make it last longer. Just following these simple tips could significantly reduce baby indigestion.

 Phew!!! Now that took care of spoiled food. Okay, what about food allergies and how do babies have allergies when they get fed only one thing?? J I mean does this even make sense? Read on.

 First of all it can be confusing trying to differentiate between an allergy and food sensitivity. So how can you tell the difference and how does it relate to baby indigestion?

 Food allergies and sensitivity and baby indigestion – Formula 

 First of all we need to understand that allergies can cause strong reactions like hives and severe rashes, vomiting, swelling of soft tissue like ears and lips, or be life-threatening with anaphylactic shock reactions. Sensitivities; however, are milder and cause indigestion, discomfort, constipation and less severe skin rashes. You know those foods that just don't ‘agree' with you.

It is very common for babies to be allergic to or sensitive to cow's protein. Take comfort in the fact that most will grow out of this by one year of age, but that first year can be tricky. For those formula feeding moms, you will need to switch to a soy-based formula or one's formulated especially for babies with cow protein sensitivity. 

 Oh there is one word of caution; and that is, it is common for babies with cow protein sensitivity to also have soy protein sensitivity. However, rest assured that there are formulas out there that have neither soy nor cow's milk in them.

 Food allergies and sensitivity and baby indigestion – Breast feeding 

 If you are breast-feeding, cut all dairy out of your diet. This is because the foods that you eat are passed onto your child through your milk. Therefore your breast milk can contain traces of cow's milk protein from dairy you are eating.  So, I mean cut out ALL dairy if you wish to reduce baby indigestion. Start reading food labels!!

 Trust me, I know this sucks, I've done it myself in the past. You'll get some headaches and feel like crap for a few days as your body detoxifies and works the dairy through your system. Basically, you'll go through a bit of a withdrawal. Cheese as a drug…who knew? 

The Fix – substitute cow's milk with goat's milk as this can usually be tolerated quite well. After breast-feeding my kids for 6 months, I switched them both to goat milk and guess what?? They still love it. It's available in most major grocery stores and can be frozen if you need to stock-pile!

 So how can you give your baby relief from Baby Indigestion? 

 You can use gripe water for more ‘instant' relief of baby indigestion. You can get this at any drug store, and many health food stores have an alternative with all natural ingredients. I have also tried some of the tablets that are on the market – most manufacturers call indigestion Colic so look for products that say Colic Relief or something like that. The label "Colic" is a bit of a misnomer because colic in infants may have nothing to do with indigestion but that debate is for another newsletter!

 Additionally you can give your baby tummy massages and baby enemas to alleviate indigestion. Remember though that none of these "instant relief" techniques are aimed at the cause of the indigestion; they just treat the symptoms.

 A more long term solution to the problem is to look for the food sensitivities and allergies that may be causing the indigestion in the first place.

 How can this be done?

 By analyzing a stool sample from your baby, your doctor will be able to determine if there is undigested cow protein present and that your baby is sensitive to dairy.

 As always, I recommend talking to a medical or naturopathic doctor about your baby's symptoms if you are concerned.

 If you found this article helpful, please share it and post your comments below!

 Helping you turn frustration to fun,

Leah Mullis