Overfeeding a baby is fairly uncommon, although possible. Babies self-regulate feeding and give cues when they are hungry or full, and you need to spot and decipher these signs or cues to know when to stop feeding. However, sometimes, you might miss these signals and continue feeding the baby, leading to overfeeding. Is missing the cues the only reason parents overfeed their babies, or could there be other reasons as well? Read on as we tell you the common causes of overfeeding a baby, the peculiar signs that the baby is being overfed, complications of overfeeding, and tips to prevent overfeeding your baby.
What Causes Overfeeding In Babies?
Things that lead to overfeeding in babies include: Aubrey Phelps, MS, RDN, CLC, and author of the “Big book of baby-led weaning” explains, “Babies like to suck. When breastfeeding, babies can do what’s known as “non-nutritive sucking,” which means sucking without actually pulling any milk out. Essentially, using the nipple like a pacifier. “But, with a bottle, that’s not an option. If they suck, they will get some milk, whether they want it or not. So babies may continue sucking or seem “hungry” because they want to suck more. If formula comes with that, then they’ll accept it.” “Parents may keep offering the bottle to try to “get” the baby to finish it simply because they can see there’s still formula left and feel like the baby “needs” to get it all. When breastfeeding, you have no actual idea how much baby is getting unless you’re always doing weighted feeds,” adds Phelps. Dr. Taylor Arnold, a pediatric nutrition expert says, “ Mixing formula incorrectly (too much powder to water) can be one cause of overfeeding baby. Sometimes parents may overfeed their baby and not be aware of it. It is, thus, vital to know about the signs of overfeeding the baby.
What Are The Signs Of Overfeeding A Baby?
An overfed baby will display the following signs: “While it may look like a lot, spit-up is usually only a small portion of the total feed. Feed again only if the baby is showing hunger cues like rooting, attempting to latch, tightly clenched fist, and fussing,” clarifies Dr. Arnold.
What Are The Complications Of Overfeeding A Baby?
Chronic overfeeding can lead to:
How To Prevent Overfeeding In Babies?
You may take the below steps to prevent overfeeding:
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