Newborn Feeding Issues Symptom Checker

Experiencing feeding issues with your newborn? Don't worry, you're not alone. Most feeding problems occur in the first six months and are usually resolved by 12 months. Get help narrowing down the cause with our symptom checker. While we hope this gets you and baby closer to fuss-free feeds, if you still have concerns you should speak to your GP. If you have any concerns or you're unsure, speak to your healthcare professional or the SMA Careline for more advice.

Start symptom checker

Could it be signs of Colic?

Is your baby:

  • Crying, fussing and irritable for prolonged periods of time?
  • Less than five months old?
  • Red in the face or flushed when crying?
  • Clenching their fists, arching their back, or pulling their knees up to their tummy?
  • Inconsolable - nothing you do seems to make it better?
  • Otherwise healthy and growing well?
Yes No

Colic

Colic is a common feeding problem, in both breast and bottle-fed babies but unfortunately it can be tricky to diagnose with precision. Signs of colic usually start and stop before your baby is five months old. However, colic can be difficult to pinpoint because the symptoms are closely related to what babies tend to do naturally. In general, look out for repeated and prolonged bouts of crying, fussing or irritability, without any obvious cause, in a baby that is otherwise healthy.

If you need help dealing with your baby's colic we have more tips and advice.

If you think your baby has signs of colic, or you have any concerns, seek the advice of a healthcare professional, such as your GP, health visitor or public health nurse.

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Could it be lactose intolerance?

Does your baby have:

  • Diarrhoea?
  • Wind?
  • Abdominal bloating and pain?
  • Discomfort and crying?
Yes No

Lactose intolerance in babies

Lactose intolerance is an inability to fully digest a type of sugar (lactose) which is found in breast milk and most infant milks too. There are different types of lactose intolerance and in babies it is usually a short-term condition. In the early weeks, or after a tummy upset, young babies sometimes cannot fully digest lactose. This can cause wind to be trapped in your baby's tummy and can lead to discomfort.

If you need help dealing with lactose intolerance we have further tips and advice.

If you think your baby might be lactose intolerant, seek the advice of a healthcare professional such as your GP, health visitor or public health nurse.

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Could it be reflux?

Is your baby:

  • Bringing up milk or being sick during, or shortly after, feeding?
  • Coughing or hiccupping when feeding?
  • Unsettled during feeding?
  • Swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding?
  • Crying and not settling?
  • Not gaining weight because they're not keeping enough food down?
Yes No

Reflux

Reflux and/or regurgitation is very common in babies between the age of three weeks and 12 months. It happens when the muscle between your baby's oesophagus (food pipe) and stomach is not yet fully developed. Food or milk can leak out and travel back up the food pipe.

In the majority of cases it's not serious and most babies grow out of it during their first year. For help dealing with reflux in your baby read our tips and advice.

If you have any concerns, seek the advice of a healthcare professional, such as your GP, health visitor or public health nurse.

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Could it be constipation?

Is your baby:

  • Pooing fewer than three times a week?
  • Finding it difficult to poo (straining)?
  • Doing larger-than-usual or dry/hard/lumpy pellet-like poos?
  • Unusually smelly in the bottom department (wind and poo)?
  • Less hungry than usual?
Yes No

Constipation

Constipation makes it more difficult for your baby to produce soiled nappies. It's often caused by their diet but is easy to treat at home. However, there's no such thing as 'normal' when it comes to how often babies poo, so don't be surprised if your baby's nappy stays poo-free for days at a time.

Constipation can strike when there's a change in diet (baby's, or breastfeeding mum's), dehydration, or lack of fibre. Moments when you can expect a little bowel readjustment include switching to or adding infant formula, weaning (as their bowels adjust to the change, or if baby isn't getting enough fruit, veg and cereals) and illnesses which can lead to dehydration.

Read our tips and advice to help ease your baby's constipation.

It may take a few days to get things moving again, but if things don't improve, speak to your health visitor or doctor.

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Could something be affecting your breast milk supply?

If you're concerned that your baby is not getting enough milk, consider the following:

  • Are your nipples very sore or dry/cracked?
  • Do you feed at set times during the day?
  • Do you top up your baby with infant formula?
  • Do you spend time away from your baby (at work for instance)?
  • Are you currently taking any medication?
  • Do you give your baby a dummy?
Yes No

Things that can affect your breast milk supply

Breastfeeding can be challenging at times, and while some mums make it look like a breeze, others may struggle.

Generally, the more your baby feeds, the more breast milk you'll produce. However, if you're worried that your baby isn't getting enough milk, or if you're finding breastfeeding sore or uncomfortable, making small changes may help. For instance, try feeding on demand rather than at set times, using a pillow for support, or applying nipple cream after every feed to soothe sore nipples in the first few weeks.

Read our tips and advice on breastfeeding.

Above all, try not to stress and if you're worried or finding it hard, talk to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist.

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Could it be tongue-tie?

Have you noticed that:

  • Your baby's tongue doesn't lift or move from side-to-side?
  • Your baby's tongue looks heart-shaped when they stick it out?
  • That you have difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding?
  • Your baby is unsettled and unsatisfied although you feed them often and for long periods?
  • Your milk supply is reducing as your baby is not latching on and feeding well?
Yes No

Tongue-tie

Tongue-tie is when the strip of tissue (or 'frenulum') that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter than normal. It can limit the mobility of the tongue, which in turn may affect how your baby latches on and suckles.

Many babies with tongue tie will experience no problems feeding at all, while others may struggle to latch on and feed well. Treatment, if necessary, is a straightforward procedure known as a 'frenulotomy'. This is usually very quick (taking just a few seconds) and involves snipping the frenulum usually without the use of anaesthetic. The procedure is carried out by a specially trained doctor, nurse or midwife and as soon as it's done you can feed your baby straightaway, which also helps to heal any bleeding.

The NHS have more information on tongue-tie.

If you think your baby might have tongue-tie, get in touch with your health professional, who will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

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None of these seem to solve my newborn's feeding issue

If you haven't quite found the answers you were hoping for, please don't worry. This list isn't exhaustive by any means, and every baby is different.

The main thing to remember is that studies have shown that at least 50 percent of babies experience some kind of feeding problem in their first six months.

Many of these issues are entirely to be expected as your baby's brand-new digestive system adjusts and adapts to life outside the womb.

If you are at all worried about your baby's health contact your midwife, GP or health visitor. They will work with you to resolve any issues in a way that's best for you and your baby.

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SMA Careline

SMA Careline®

Need expert advice or support 24/7?

We have a dedicated team of expert parents with first-hand experience in everything related to babies. They also have access to expert healthcare professionals such as registered dietitians and nutritionists to answer your questions.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We believe that breastfeeding is the ideal nutritional start for babies and we fully support the World Health Organization’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life followed by the introduction of adequate nutritious complementary foods along with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age. We also recognise that breastfeeding is not always an option for parents. We recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional about how to feed your baby and seek advice on when to introduce complementary feeding. If you choose not to breastfeed, please remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse and has social and financial implications. Introducing partial bottle-feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label in order to avoid risks to a baby’s health.

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