It's so difficult to know what your baby wants when they can't just come out and tell you. However, babies are smart, they will use their body to show you clues about what they are feeling. Here are some stress cues they may give you if they are uncomfortable during a feeding:
Arching away from the bottle or breast
Facial grimacing
Crying during feedings
Putting hands out in a stop sign
Gulping, coughing
Multiple Swallows
Eyes Widening
Baby shutting down quickly after a feeding
If you are notice any of these signs, give baby a break from feeding, let them calm, then try again. You can also hold them skin to skin with you to help them calm. If these stress cues continue or become more frequent, talk with you doctor and seek out a feeding evaluation. If babies continue to feed under stress, they can begin to develop feeding aversions.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, we are here to help. If you are local to Lubbock, TX, please contact Little Ones, Infant and Pediatric Therapy for a feeding evaluation for your newborn. Our office is conveniently located in Lubbock. We also offer virtual consultations and home visits in special circumstances. Our therapist is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor with prior pediatric acute care and NICU experience. We also offer feeding therapy and speech/language therapy for birth to school age children, as well as prenatal feeding consultations.
Please give us a call at (806) 370-0851 or you can email kelli@littleonespeditherapy.com