Understanding and Addressing Newborn Gastric Problems: A Guide for Parents

Bringing a newborn into the world is a joyous occasion, but it can also come with challenges, especially when it comes to their delicate digestive systems. Many parents find themselves concerned about their newborns experiencing gastric issues. In this blog, we'll explore common gastric problems in newborns and offer helpful insights for parents navigating this aspect of early parenthood.

1. Identifying Normal Newborn Digestive Patterns:

• It's essential for parents to understand what constitutes normal digestive behavior in a newborn.
• Newborns often experience frequent bowel movements (including passing of stools immediately after a feed or regurgitation of feeds)as their digestive systems are still developing.

2. Common Gastric Issues in Newborns:

• Colic(bowel movements which are perceived painful by the baby): Explore the signs of colic, such as excessive crying, clenching fists, and arching the back, and understand that it usually resolves on its own. Colic is a normal physiological phenomenon occurring in all newborns.
• Reflux/Regurgitation: Discuss symptoms of reflux: It’s a condition where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus but not forcefully out of the mouth.

3. Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding Tips:

• Proper latching techniques for breastfeeding must be practised by mothers to minimize air ingestion.
• Signs of good latching are:
• The latch is comfortable and pain free.
• Your baby's chest and stomach rest against your body, so that baby's head is straight, not turned to the side.
• Your baby's chin touches your breast.
• Your baby's mouth opens wide around your breast, not just the nipple.
• Your baby's lips turn out
• Bottle feeds are strongly discouraged as the baby inadvertently sucks in air and improper sterilisation of the bottle makes baby prone for infection.
• In cases where the mother is unable to breastfeed the baby, she should practise the katori spoon technique of feeding which minimises the chances of air ingestion and infection to the baby.

4. Understanding Gas and Burping:

• Colic can be prevented by following these practices: adequate burping by placing the baby’s tummy over your shoulder and gently patting over the back after the baby has finished the feeds for approximately 15-20 minutes, by trying not to overfeed the baby, by not making the baby lie down immediately after feeds.

5. Probiotics and Digestive Health:

• There is no proven role of probiotics in newborns and infants and hence the use of such products should be DISCOURAGED.
• DO NOT introduce any supplements to your baby’s diet before consulting your paediatrician. Rudimentary practices like the introduction of honey for the newborn baby can be severely detrimental as their gut is still immature. 6. Seeking Professional Advice:
• Consult with a pediatrician if the baby has episodes of vomiting which is yellowish or greenish (bile stained)or the baby is passing watery or blood-stained stools.
• It's appropriate to seek medical attention if a newborn is consistently fussy after feeds or experiencing difficulty gaining weight.

7. Creating a Comfortable Sleep Environment:

• Create a safe and comfortable sleep environment for newborns as sleep can be closely tied to digestive comfort.

8. Parental Self-Care:

• Becoming a parent is exciting but it’s a lot more stressful.
• Neonatal colic is a normal physiological phenomenon which exists in all babies however it’s effects might be pronounced in some babies which can have the parents worried and paranoid, however there is no single medication advisable for it.
• Practicing adequate burping techniques and taking cues from the baby when he or she doesn’t want to feed can be the game changer.
• Navigating newborn gastric problems can be a learning curve for parents, but with knowledge, patience, and support, it becomes a manageable aspect of early parenthood. By staying informed and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, parents can ensure the best possible digestive health for their newborns.