Monday, April 04, 2011

Health Tips for April 4

Health Tip: Baby Spitting Up?

Babies often spit up after a meal, but it's usually nothing dangerous, experts say.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests how to help reduce instances of spitting up:

  • Make sure feeding time is slow, relaxed, quiet and calm. Try to prevent baby from being startled or interrupted.
  • If you bottle feed, stop to burp baby every three to five minutes and make sure the hole in the nipple is the appropriate size.
  • Don't let baby eat while lying down, and keep baby upright for about 20 or 30 minutes after eating.
  • Make post-feeding time quiet, without any jostling or very active play.
  • Feed baby before he or she gets too hungry.

Health Tip: Pyloric Stenosis -- A Digestive Problem for Newborns

Although most babies spit up, forceful vomiting isn't normal and could be a sign of a digestive problem called pyloric stenosis.

The Nemours Foundation says warning signs of pyloric stenosis include:

  • Projectile vomiting after a feeding, then wanting to eat again shortly afterward.
  • Constipation, or stools that contain mucus.
  • Not gaining weight.
  • Being less active than a typical newborn.
  • A ripple action that's visible on baby's tummy after baby eats.

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