Does your baby has issues like colic (excessive crying), gas, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomit? This might be a digestion issue.

Signs of feeding issues

Symptoms of formula feeding issues may be vomiting, abdominal pain and distension, gas, diarrhoea, and rash. Stool consistency and frequency are also key indicators.

1. Spit-up and vomiting. More than half of babies spit up to some extent after they have been fed. This is the most common feeding issue for babies. Occasional gentle spit-up is not generally a major health concern, and is often due to the fact that the muscles of the baby’s digestive system are not completely developed. Vomiting is the ejection of stomach contents through the mouth with force, and is usually distressing to a child. This can be more serious and may be a symptom of allergy.
2. Gas and fussiness. Many babies suffer from gas and fussiness, which may be related to an inability to digest lactose. The gas can build up in your baby’s digestive system and cause bloating and discomfort.
3. Colic. Excessive crying is known as colic. Colic may be related to sensitivity to the protein in your baby’s formula. Other symptoms of protein sensitivity may be diarrhoea, rashes, and sleeping problems.
4. Consistency, colour of stools. Normal stools may be soft and mushy or more formed, depending on your child and the type of feeding you have chosen. Formula-fed babies may have pasty-looking stools. Stools may be greenish-yellow to brown-yellow in colour, which will change with the addition of solid foods to the diet. Read up on the diaper decoder poster(PDF 4MB) to better identify the digestive issue based on your child’s stool type.
5. Frequency of bowel movements. Bowel movements are different by infant and type of diet. Breastfed newborns may have up to ten stools a day, often after each feeding, while others may have one stool every other day.
6. Diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is can be defined as loose and watery stools, and any difference from your child’s stool-passing regularities should be monitored closely. It can be related to other illness, and you should contact your health care provider for advice if necessary. Dehydration can be a concern when diarrhoea occurs.

Tips to prevent colic and digestive discomfort

• Sit up for no spit-up – position your child upright and avoid feeding your child when he is lying down (try to keep him upright for about 30 minutes after a feeding).
• More isn’t always better – if your child gets an overly full stomach, spit-up can increase.
• Avoid vigorous play after feeding – excess activity can aggravate an already delicate system.
• Burp often – try to feed your child before she is overly hungry since gulping formula too fast may lead to spit-up problems
• Watch for vomiting – call your child’s doctor right away if your child vomits repeatedly.
• Monitor stool – talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your child’s stools ( What is considered normal frequency, color and consistency of stools varies widely among babies and your doctor can help determine if your child’s stools are normal for him)

You are not alone

If it’s any comfort to the parents of a colicky baby, you are not alone in trying to soothe your wailing little one. Colic is more common than we realise.

According to a study by Abbott, 9 out of 10 babies experience some forms of feeding problems such as colic, gassiness, spit-up, diarrhoea and constipation due to their immature, developing digestive system.¹

Some babies find it harder to digest certain ingredients in their feed or tolerate the presence of lactose, certain proteins and fat blends. Unfortunately, the only way they can communicate their pain and discomfort is through crying.

Learn to recognise the symptoms of infant feeding issues and discuss your concerns with your doctor. Your doctor will help to make a recommendation about the most appropriate formula.

Choosing the right formula

Experts agree that breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for young toddlers, however in situations where breastfeeding is not possible, parents may choose a formula to meet their child’s nutritional needs. Formula milk are carefully designed for your little one’s nutrition, but since your baby’s digestive system is still growing and maturing, it may mean that the baby is not able to digest certain nutrients well. Some ingredients in formula – for example, lactose, the type of protein, or the fat blend may be difficult for your little one to tolerate. Some formulas prepared with a predominantly palm olein oil blend could result in harder stools that may be more difficult to pass.

Studies suggest that breastfeeding often supports a stronger immune system, and this may be in part due to the milk oligosaccharides naturally found in breast milk.² Among the milk oligosaccharides present in breast milk, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is the most abundant.³ It is believed to be an immune-nourishing prebiotic that acts as essential building blocks to support your little one’s natural body defences.

Understanding the struggles that parents go through, Abbott has developed a new breakthrough in paediatric nutrition: It is the first company to add a structurally identical version of 2′-FL that is derived from lactose to formula milk for your child.

Deciding which formula is suitable for your child can be a difficult decision for mothers. But with the knowledge of the options available, you can make an informed choice to better support your baby’s nutritional needs with his comfort in mind.

Always seek advice from your doctor if you have any doubt about feeding issues that your baby may be experiencing.

References:

¹ Based on a survey with 2383 Singapore parents/caregivers in 2013. 
https://abbottfamily.com.sg/products/page/similac-total-comfort-3
² Marriage B.J., et al. (2015). Infants Fed a Lower Calorie Formula With 2′FL Show Growth and 2′FL Uptake Like Breast-Fed Infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015 Dec; 61(6): 649–658. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000889
³ Reverri E.J., et al. (2018). Review of the Clinical Experiences of Feeding Infants Formula Containing the Human Milk Oligosaccharide 2′-Fucosyllactose. Nutrients. 10, 1346: 1-11. doi:10.3390/nu10101346

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