Are you confused about what formula to feed your baby?
Although it is usually recommended to feed your baby a formula rich in iron and other contents to support their growth, it is vital to notice whether they are enjoying it. If not, they will not derive the intended benefits from it.
So, when picking a baby formula, besides its ingredients and composition, it is equally essential to notice if your child can tolerate it. Here are 9 signs to help you know if they need to switch:
1. Excessive Vomiting
It is okay for babies to spit up while being fed due to their underdeveloped digestive systems or when they initially begin having a particular kind of milk or formula. However, having continuous vomiting, spit-ups, and uncomfortableness following eating is not okay and indicates to a grave problem. Here we have listed a few key indicators:
- Your infant’s spit-up amounts to more than 2 tbsps at every feeding session.
- Your kid is vomiting vigorously, indicating its body is attempting to get rid itself of something.
If you observe that your kid is showing the above problems, it is an immediate cause of worry as throwing up will keep them from absorbing the required nutrients and fluids. Everything is alright if they are steadily gaining weight – say 6 ounces a week and need a change of diapers every 6 hours.
2. Extreme Fussiness
Young parents often get annoyed when their baby spirals into a crying fit. But there’s always a reason behind it. Maybe they have wet their diapers, are hungry or are uncomfortable. There are countless reasons! But when your child is inconsolable following or while eating, it indicates they have formula intolerance, and you must change it!
Sometimes, fussiness may also keep a baby from sleeping, who are supposed to sleep a lot in the early months of their life.
3. Severe Constipation
It is okay for babies to go one or two days without any bowel movement. But if you observe them producing small, hard poops and having stomach cramps, it is concerning because they are constipated! You can remove palm oil from their diet to have softer stools.
However, shifting to a low-iron diet to ease constipation is not recommended for the long term because iron intake is vital for proper growth and development in babies. The one thing you must remember while buying a formula is noticing its iron levels.
4. Diarrhea
You can track your baby’s health just by checking their diaper now and then. We know that an infant’s stool is changing – sometimes it’s too hard, and sometimes it’s too watery. It is common in babies because their digestive system is growing and they are exposed to new things.
This change in food causes bowel movements, making a baby sick and stressed. If your baby is suffering from diarrhea or watery poop, especially after every feeding, you must get it changed by consulting a pediatrician ASAP.
5. Bloody Stools
Finding blood in your child’s diaper is no doubt a scary sight. If such a thing happens to you too, don’t think much and give your doctor a call! There can be several reasons causing an infant to excrete blood – one culprit could be an allergy to cow milk. Since cow milk is the source of protein for graded baby foods, you must shift to one that compensates their health for it.
6. Skin Rashes
Depending on the weather, an infant’s skin changes daily. It means that whether it is hot, humid, or cold, you can tell from their skin texture as it is sensitive. In the same way, their skin’s appearance also alters depending on the formula they are consuming.
For example, if the food you’re feeding them is not suiting their body, they might develop rashes all over. If there are any rashes on your infant’s skin, contact a doctor to change the food recipe.
7. Allergy Symptoms
About 2-3% of the infants around the globe suffer from milk allergies during their infancy. Although most of them outgrow it, it is not necessary. So, if your child is also allergic to their diet, they may show these symptoms immediately or within a week of having the same diet:
- Skin rashes
- Vomiting
- Fussiness
- Wheezing
- Swelling
- Loose stools
- Eating less food
- Anaphylactic shock
Wheezing indicates that the recipe you’re feeding your child is leading to mucus growth and harming their chest. This reaction with strain during respiration when consuming food is a critical indicator of getting your baby an immediate medical attention!
8. Slow Weight Gain
Recording your baby’s weight is essential for checking their overall health. Parents need to track the diaper output of their baby to notice if they are gaining weight or if they need to visit a pediatrician. Parents must remember the following info:
- Around 10-14 days after birth, babies usually reach their initial weight.
- After about 3 months, babies begin gaining an ounce every day.
- When they are 6 months old, they gain 0.67 ounces a day.
You may purchase organic milk formula for your growing baby from kedamil formula.
9. Stomach Gas
Having stomach issues is an indicator of health problems in babies. Besides undergoing diarrhea after every eating session, if you notice that your child is suffering from gas, it is an indicator that the recipe you’re feeding them is not suiting their body. Sometimes, allergy to certain foods is followed by abdominal bloating or belly tightness.
If you notice the same problem in your child as well, it’s good to contact your pediatrician to find out what steps to take next.
Final Words
When you decide to change your baby’s diet, always check for the indicators discussed earlier as they indicate whether your child is allergic to a particular one. We advise you to talk to a pediatrician before switching the recipe to ensure the food is thoroughly checked for possible health issues. The standard advice is to take it slowly to avoid such troubles.