Questions and Answers

Formula fed babies can become constipated sometimes. Milk is usually all young babies need as their food and drink, but sometimes if a baby is constipated offering small amounts of cooled boiled water to help increase hydration can help - this shouldn’t replace formula feeds. You can offer this split over the course of the day. You shouldn’t offer your baby any other “remedies” that may have been recommended many years ago - e.g. fruit juices or brown sugar in water, as these can be unsafe and are not suitable for babies under six months old. Babies under six months should only be offered milk, and water if essential.

It’s also important to make sure that the formula feeds are being prepared correctly as this can contribute to digestive problems - a reminder of how to prepare feeds safely is here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/

You might also find that giving your baby a gentle tummy massage in a clockwise direction, leg cycling and warm baths help.

If the issue continues and the stools passed are very firm, please consult your GP.

It can be normal for babies to have a small amount of vomiting called “posseting” after they have fed. Babies with reflux tend to have larger vomits after most feeds and struggle to lie flat, particularly after feeds and can be quite difficult to settle. We worry about reflux when babies are vomiting significant amounts, and this is affecting their growth and development. If they are continuing to grow well, you can usually make a few adjustments to feeding to help manage the symptoms.

We would initially recommend: 

- winding your baby after feeds

- keep baby upright (either chest to chest position with you or in your arms) for at least 20-30 minutes after a feed to help digestion 

- sit or hold your baby upright during feeding (if you’re breastfeeding you could try the “Koala” hold to help with this)

- if you are formula feeding or giving expressed breastmilk then pace the feed- so bring the teat back slightly regularly throughout the feed to encourage the baby to take a break from sucking. This will make the feed more relaxed for them and give them the opportunity to swallow the milk and take regular pauses throughout the feed. If you feel the baby needs winding during the feed, you could use this as an opportunity to do that too.

Here is some info about this:

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/04/Infant-formula-and-responsive-bottle-feeding.pdf

The following websites may also be useful to you:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/reflux/

It can be really distressing as a parent if your baby is crying a lot or seems distressed, and you can’t seem to find a cause for it. If your baby is otherwise well, it may just take some time for your baby to pass this phase in their development and for the crying to reduce. Most babies’ symptoms usually improve around 3-4 months of age as their digestive system becomes more developed and resolve by the time they are around 6 months old. Babies cry the most in the first 3 months of their life. It may help to soothe your baby if you:

• Hold or cuddle your baby when they're crying 
• Sit or hold your baby upright during feeding to help reduce the air they are swallowing (if you’re breastfeeding you could try the “Koala” hold to help with this) 
• Wind your baby after feeds
• Gently rock your baby over your shoulder
• Gently rock your baby in their Moses basket or crib, or push them in their pram
• Bathe your baby in a warm bath
• Have some gentle white noise like the radio or TV in the background to distract them
• Gently massage your baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction

If you’re finding your baby’s crying overwhelming, it’s ok to walk away from them if you have checked they are in a safe place and return after a few minutes to check on them when you feel calm or ask someone else to take over for a while. 

There’s lots of information about coping with a crying baby at these websites: http://iconcope.org/parentsadvice/

https://www.cry-sis.org.uk/