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Feeding Problems in Infants and Children

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Parents are often frustrated when a child has problems with feedings, especially if he or she wakes often or cries during the night. Follow this chart for information and care suggestions for infant feeding problems.


 

SYMPTOMS   DIAGNOSIS   SELF-CARE
Begin here        
1. Does your baby always appear hungry? No --> Go to Question 5.*    
Yes, go down        
2. Is your baby breast-fed? Yes --> The mother's BREAST MILK MAY BE INSUFFICIENT for the baby or the baby's mouth may be sore. --> Try more frequent breast feeding. Make sure the mother is drinking enough fluids. Discuss this problem with your doctor and keep a close watch on the baby's growth. If there are sores or white patches in the baby's mouth, see the doctor.
No, go down        
3. Is your baby bottle-fed, or does the baby have a sore mouth? Yes --> The bottle's nipple may be CLOGGED or TOO SMALL, or the baby's mouth may be SORE. --> See if you can correct the nipple problem. See above if the baby's mouth is sore.
No, go down        
4. Does your child fall asleep soon after starting to feed from the breast or bottle? Yes --> This is common for younger infants, but should decrease as the baby grows. --> Have your baby examined by your doctor to make sure there are no other contributing causes and to check for growth and weight gain.
No, go down        
*5. Does your child cry after feeding? No --> Go to Question 9.**    
Yes, go down        
6. Is your child throwing up large amounts of milk with forceful vomiting? Yes --> This may be from a blockage of the stomach in young infants called PYLORIC STENOSIS. --> Contact your doctor right away.
No, go down        
7. Does your child seem to have a lot of gas and stomach discomfort? Yes --> These symptoms may be from an intolerance to the formula or to cow's milk. This is called a LACTOSE INTOLERANCE. --> You may want to switch to a non-cow's-milk-based formula. Discuss this with your doctor.
No, go down        
8. Does your child have severe crying after meals and sometimes for hours at a time? Yes --> This may be COLIC. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
**9. Does your child seem to have little interest in food or have a slow weight gain? Yes --> This may be from a DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEM. --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
10. Are your child's bowel movements loose and foul-smelling after the feedings? Yes --> If you are feeding the child formula or cereal, these symptoms may represent an allergy or more severe intolerance to cow's milk (LACTOSE INTOLERANCE) or wheat (CELIAC DISEASE). --> See your doctor.
No, go down        
For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right away.    

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.

Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians
 

 
 
 

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