Beware 5 Eating Disorders this on Baby Born Premature

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A baby born before the 37th week of pregnancy or premature birth, often have difficulty eating, for various reasons. Eating disorders in premature babies can last for months and are often associated with other health problems.

Here are 5 eating disorder that is often experienced by premature infants, as reported mom.me, Friday (01/04/2013), among others:

1. Slow in suck the milk

Babies born prematurely do not have strong muscles to suck breast milk. So that premature babies need a long time to drink milk until he felt full.

Babies born prematurely are also often less able to coordinate his muscles to breathe when you're sucking the milk which can make choking or vomiting, unless your baby is drinking milk slowly.

2. Reluctance to open his mouth

Doctors typically provide respiratory support in preterm infants by installing an air hose in the mouth or nose babies. It can make baby feel uncomfortable and can cause long-term problems eating called oral reluctance or unwillingness to speak.

This condition makes the baby does not like anything that approaching face or his mouth, because of trauma to the discomfort experienced ever before. This can be overcome by occupational therapy and lactation consultant to teach the baby to eat in a normal way.

3. Gastrointestinal Reflux

Gastrointestinal reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach does not close tightly, which is a common problem in preterm infants. Acid from the stomach can back up into the esophagus and cause pain that often occurs after a meal.

Babies can associate eating with a sense of discomfort and may refuse to eat. Reflux can also cause vomiting that can lead to a lack of nutrients needed for growth.

Premature babies that problems with respiratory also have a greater risk for acid reflux. Most babies can cope with reflux after about 1 year old. To cope with reflux, your doctor may suggest to put a pillow underneath the head low to keep the baby's head slightly elevated when reclining.

4. Respiratory distress a result of the breast milk

Babies who are not able to effectively suck the milk or swallowing, breathing, can be at risk for respiratory problems such as pneumonia or chronic respiratory infections. Always watch your baby while nursing, to avoid pressing the nipple into the baby's mouth by accident.

Beware if the baby's skin turns black or blue, choking, or milk out of the nose or vomiting as this may be a sign of respiratory distress due to breast milk.

5. Problems on the stomach

Just like other organs were not strong enough, the intestines of babies born prematurely also have not been able to function optimally and slower in moving food. Premature babies are more likely to develop constipation, bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain more difficult for the baby to eat.

Source:  mom.me