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Baby feeding, sleeping, allergies and tongue ties
Each baby is different and there are unique challenges that every new parent will experience. There is much to learn about feeding and how to get your baby to sleep, particularly if your baby suffers from health issues such as reflux, allergies, intolerances or tongue ties. However, there are many support services available to help you through your parenting journey.
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The Wonder Weeks book and app is a great resource which lets you know when your baby is going through leaps in their development and what new skills they might be learning. This can often explain why your baby might be more clingy, cranky and crying at times.
Feeding
Breastfeeding is recommended for the first 12 months and beyond. It can be challenging in the early weeks and it takes some time for both you and your baby to get used to feeding. The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a great support and they have a free helpline if you need any advice.
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In the beginning babies can feed every 2-3 hours, for half an hour or so at a time, possibly with a longer 5 hour stretch overnight. However, every baby is different and their feeding patterns may vary from day to day. The Queensland Government have a breastfeeding guide that you might find useful.
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Australian Government advice is to start your baby on solids at 6 months or within a few weeks of this age. You can start your baby on puree food and / or try baby led weaning where your baby feeds themselves. More information on starting solids and baby led weaning are available from the Kids Health and Baby Center websites.
Sleep
As a guide, your newborn baby will only stay awake for about an hour at a time, including feeding time. This will gradually increase as your baby gets older. Karitane have a good table on their website which lists approximate sleep times by age. It is helpful to learn your baby's tired signs so you can get them to sleep easier before they get too overtired, which will also help them sleep longer.
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There are different early parenting centres in each state that may be available to provide you with feeding, sleep and settling advice for your baby. Some of these services offer day stay and residential stay programs and there is also a Sleep Well Baby app that is currently available for free which is endorsed by Tresillian.
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NSW: Tresillian and Karitane
ACT: Tresillian
QLD: Ellen Barron Family Centre
VIC: O’Connell Family Centre, QEC, Tweddle Child and Family Health Service
SA: Torrens House
NT: the Ellen Barron Family Centre in QLD offers services to the NT
WA: Glengarry, Ngala
TAS: Parenting centres
Baby sleep consultants can also help you, however, you will have to pay a fee for phone or in home support. Your local Child and Family Health Nurse can also provide you with advice and support.
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Reflux
Many babies will bring milk back up through their food pipe, particularly when they are being burped while feeding. This reflux can cause issues with feeding and sleep if it causes pain in your baby. Your baby may have silent reflux which is where reflux occurs but it doesn't cause your baby to vomit any milk. Visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association website for more information on reflux or talk to your GP or paediatrician as some babies may need medication to help.
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Allergies and intolerances
Around 1 in 10 babies under 12 months of age develop a food allergy with cow's milk protein intolerance being one of the most common. Some babies even react through breastmilk if the mother consumes dairy products. Some symptoms of intolerances can include reflux and frequent, green, frothy or mucous poos. For more information on the signs and symptoms of food allergies and intolerances visit the Kids Health website.
Tongue ties
Tongue ties occur when the thin membrane under your baby's tongue is too tight and restricts its movement. It can cause a lot of issues in breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby as well as other issues. Signs and symptoms of tongue ties are listed below.
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For baby
Reflux, vomiting or choking while feeding
Clicking noises while feeding
Poor weight gain
Wind and tummy pain
Difficulty latching
Excessive drooling or spilling milk while feeding
Falling asleep while feeding
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For mum
Low milk supply
Pain while feeding
Pinched, creased or bruised nipples
Cracked, blistered or bleeding nipples
Blocked ducts or mastitis
Short nursing sessions or frequent feeding
Tongue tie support
If you suspect your baby has a tongue tie that is impacting on their feeding or weight gain, it's important to get someone qualified in ties to have a look at your baby as it can be hard to diagnose. You can search for a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant or have a look at recommended providers in the Tongue & Lip tie support group on Facebook.
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