A baby must be able to remove enough milk from the breast during breastfeeding to gain weight and "tell" the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. If the baby does not get enough milk, he or she will have poor weight gain. Also, the amount of milk being made for the baby will decrease.
A baby's ability to suck and remove milk may be affected in different ways. Prematurity, labor and delivery medicine, and conditions such as Down syndrome may initially make it difficult for a baby's central nervous system to remain alert or coordinate suck-swallow-breathe actions. Acute health conditions, such as jaundice or infection and chronic conditions, such as cardiac defects may also influence a baby's level of alertness or the ability to suck. A "mechanical" issue, such as tongue-tie or a cleft lip or palate might directly interfere with a baby's ability to use the structures in the mouth for effective sucking.
Sometimes, the cause is obvious, but often it is not. However, it is important to recognize the signs that a baby is unable to effectively remove milk during breastfeeding so that steps can be taken to remedy any problem.
- 685 views
