Feeding Problems In Infants

DEFINITION

There are various problems that can occur in the feeding of infants, among others spit, vomit, overeating, and lack of food. Feeding problems in infants is usually mild, but sometimes can lead to serious consequences, such as dehydration. For that, they need feeding techniques and proper nutrition so that it can relieve and prevent problems in feeding the baby.

CAUSE

Feeding problems in infants can include:

·         Spit up (regurgitation). Baby spit up is normal. Nearly every baby experience. This happens because the baby can not sit up straight when fed or thereafter. In addition, the valve that separates the esophagus with the stomach is still not perfect and so can not fully keep the contents of the stomach so as not to turn back to the top.

·         Spit on the baby gets worse if the baby drinks too fast or swallowing air. Spit up can also be a lot more if the baby is given the milk too much. Spit usually stops when the baby was between 7 and 12 months.

·         Gag. Vomiting in infants most often caused by an acute viral infection. Vomiting can also be caused by an infection in other body parts, such as the urinary tract.

·         However, sometimes vomiting can occur due to serious medical problems, such as blockage of the stomach or intestines, infection of the lining of the brain, and appendicitis (appendicitis).

·         Feeding excessive, can occur if there is a custom to give children eat every time the child cries. The child was given a bottle of milk to distract the child so as not to cry. In addition, children may also be allowed to carry a bottle of milk anywhere and anytime.

·         Excessive feeding also occurs if parents always give the child food as a reward for good behavior they are doing, or if the parents demanded that children spend their food, even though they are not hungry.

·         Feeding less. This is one of the causes of growth failure in children. This condition can occur as a result of the child that is difficult to eat or from caregivers who do not provide adequate food intake. Difficulty eating in children can occur if a child is fussy, easily distracted, can not be silent to be fed, or have difficulty sucking and swallowing. Feeding less also can be caused by feeding technique and composition of foods that are not appropriate for children.

·         Poverty and difficult access to get nutritious food is the main reason for the occurrence of feeding is less in children. Sometimes, parents are abusive or have a mental disorder can deliberately not to feed the child.

·         Dehydration, usually caused by excessive fluid loss, for example due to vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes as a result of inadequate fluid intake.

SYMPTOMS

- Spit (regurgitation)

Babies often reissue a small amount of milk during or after feeding, and often accompanied by belching. Spit happens just like that, where the milk is ingested out again through the mouth or nose.

- Gag

Vomiting is the food expenditure that occurs with strong and does not feel good. Vomiting is never normal.

- Feeding Overload

Excessive feeding is to provide nutrients that exceed the needs of children to grow healthily.

- Feeding Less

Feeding less is provide less nutrition than children need to grow healthily.

If the baby is getting enough food is usually the baby will calm down and sleep after feeding. However, if feeding less, within 1-2 hours after feeding, the baby will appear restless and stay awake. In infants younger than 4 months, the weight gain of <200 grams / week was lower / less and could indicate a less feeding.

- Dehydration

The symptoms that can occur in children who are dehydrated medium:

·         less active

·         crying without the tears

·         dry mouth

·         less frequent urination (less than 2-3 times per day)

Children who suffered severe dehydration becomes sleepy or letargis.

Dehydration sometimes also cause salt levels in the blood. Changes in salt concentration makes the symptoms of dehydration worse. In severe cases, children may experience seizures or brain damage and death.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is primarily based on existing symptoms and examination results.

TREATMENT               

- Spit

Spit in infants can be reduced by:

·         feed the baby before they feel very hungry

·         make a burping baby by patting the baby's back every 4-5 minutes after the baby feeds

·         put in an upright position during and after feeding

·         if the baby using a bottle of milk, then give a bottle of milk with a small dot holes

Spit which seems to make sense of discomfort to the baby, disrupt the feeding and the impact on growth of the baby, or settled until early childhood is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux. In the event of such conditions, it would require further medical treatment. Likewise if the baby spit up green or bloody, or cause the baby to choke.

- Gag

Vomiting caused by gastroenteritis can usually stops on its own, without treatment. Children need to be given enough fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

Children who continue to vomit should be given small amounts of fluid and often, rather than liquids in bulk, but less frequently.

Children need to get further evaluation and should be immediately taken to the doctor if:

·         experiencing severe abdominal pain

·         can not drink

·         little urination

·         There are high fever

·         looked lethargic / letargis

·         unwell

·         vomiting persists for more than 12 hours

·         are vomiting blood or green

These symptoms could be a sign of dehydration or the condition is more severe.

- Feeding Overload

In the short term, excessive feeding can cause the baby spit up and diarrhea. In the long term, children who were fed to excess can be obese.

If the child's weight gain too fast (based on standard growth charts), it should be controlling the speed of weight gain.

- Feeding Less

Parents need to be taught how to prepare food that is good for children. If the baby has a weight far below normal, it would require further treatment by experts, and may need to be hospitalized for a while. Children abandoned by their parents may need to get help from child protection agencies.

Most problems feeding infants is not a serious problem and often disappear spontaneously or can be overcome by making changes in feeding patterns.

- Dehydration.

Dehydration overcome by giving fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and chloride. In severe cases, fluids should be given through a vein (intravenous).

REFERENCE

- P, Elizabeth J. Feeding Problems in Infants and Young Children. Merck Manual. 2009.