If you’re a new parent, your little one will cry and fuss as part of their development. But sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re just hearing normal growing noises or something that might be triggered by a different issue. Not all infants can tolerate milk proteins well, leading to milk sensitivity in infants that can make your little one uncomfortable.
Read on to learn how to spot and manage milk sensitivity:
Distinguishing Between General Fussiness and a Milk Sensitivity in Infants
New parents buy burp cloths and wipes for a reason. It’s normal for babies with immature internal systems to cry, spit up, and feel uncomfortable. And sometimes babies swallow too much air or feel overwhelmed by their surroundings, particularly if you’re going out to eat or otherwise in a crowded space. But if your baby is showing prolonged and more severe symptoms that are especially disruptive to napping, it’s time to take action. They may be dealing with milk sensitivity.
What symptoms can indicate there’s a problem beyond typical fussiness? Look for indications that your baby is spitting up or vomiting more often following feedings. Or perhaps they’re pulling their legs to their body due to gas. Visual signs can include watery stools or blood in the stool. Skin irritations like eczema and runny noses could be more frequent, as well. And if your baby is more irritable than normal, it’s time for them to get checked by their pediatrician.
Log All Symptoms
When you’re trying to show your child’s doctor a pattern of symptoms, it’s important to keep a log. Use a notebook or app to track when you’re feeding your baby, and what you’re feeding them. Indicate how much they consume. And if your baby shows symptoms, like excessive fussiness or vomiting, write down how soon after a feeding they appear.
Further, you’ll want to note all nap times throughout the day. If your baby gets moodier at specific points in the day, write those down, as well. Strong shifts in your baby’s stools, an uptick in vomiting, and growing rashes are all reasons to reach out to your pediatrician. Having a record of behavior will help your doctor during an appointment.
Determine Feeding Changes
Formula-fed babies may benefit from changing to a formula like HA hypoallergenic formula HiPP. Babies with allergies or sensitive digestive systems can tolerate these formulas more easily. These formulas can help break down proteins into more digestible chunks, and they’re 100% organic. Parents can feel confident that they’re offering their baby a natural, carefully-crafted baby formula that will be easier on their little ones’ tummies.
Hypoallergenic options are excellent for babies with allergies, and many options don’t contain refined sugars or corn syrups. For breastfeeding parents, work with your doctor to make dietary changes to your diet. Sometimes limiting or excluding dairy from your diet can help limit the milk proteins present in breast milk.
Help Your Baby Feel Better
Parents don’t want to see their babies in distress. If you’ve noticed that your baby’s acting out, feeling gassier, or spitting up more, it’s best to address the situation. Your baby could have a milk sensitivity in infants. Identifying this sooner rather than later can help intervene so your baby feels more comfortable and you can truly enjoy parenting.
Also read: Securing Your Baby’s Identity: The Importance of Birth Certificates and Footprints
