As a parent, watching your child grow and develop is a beautiful journey, but sometimes, feeding hurdles can be a part of that adventure. Knowing when your child might need a little extra help with their feeding journey is essential. Let’s explore some signs and situations that might mean it’s time to reach out to a paediatric feeding specialist for support.
Breast or Bottle Challenges:
If breastfeeding or bottle feeding feels challenging – difficulty latching, fussiness during feeds, poor weight gain – seeking help early on can make feeding a more enjoyable experience for both you and your baby.
Introducing Solids:
Starting solids is a very exciting time in your journey as a parent, however sometimes difficulties arise.
If you are unsure how to start and how to progress your baby into solids, it’s worth getting advice on how to progress them to ensure they are meeting their developmental milestones.
Some babies have difficulties progressing onto age/stage-appropriate foods. If your baby is:
• Repeatedly gagging on purées and finger foods
• Difficulty swallowing purées and finger foods
• Difficulties chewing foods
• Stuck on purées
• Eating a minimal amount of food and relying mainly on milk (if not age-appropriate)
• Not gaining weight
These are some of the symptoms of difficulties with starting and progressing on solids, however, if you are concerned about your baby, it’s worth having them assessed.