4-6 Months, Your Questions Answered
From our experience in our care line, what we’ve heard from Mums and being Mums ourselves, these are the most common problems that we are faced with at this stage.
If there is something that you are struggling with at the moment that’s not on our list, give us a call! Our team is manned by fully trained staff, many of whom are Mums and some who are mid wives and Nutritionists.
Still breast feeding and going back to work
It is absolutely normal to continue breast feeding when you go back to work. As you plan to return to work, try to get your baby used to taking your expressed breast milk from a bottle or a beaker before you actually return to work. Once you're back to work you can continue to breastfeed morning and evening.
Allergy worries
If you or your partner suffers from food allergies you may be concerned about the development of food allergy in your child. If you have concerns, delay the introduction of the offending food until a little later. Read more »
For example, if you are concerned about egg allergy, do not offer eggs to your baby until 1 year instead of any earlier. Remember, the actual incidence of food allergy is much lower than you may think - 5-8% of children are thought to have a real food allergy and many of these will outgrow it.
Spitting out food
If your baby pushes the spoon (and food) out with his tongue, he is simply adjusting to the new sensation of getting his meal from a spoon rather than from a nipple or bottle teat. It doesn't mean he's rejecting the food - so if you persist, he'll learn to take the food on to his tongue and to the back of his mouth. Swallowing solids is a new technique that he's getting to grips with - so be prepared for most of the food to end up on the floor or on his clothes! Invest in lots of bibs… Read more »
Real food, even though it's mushy, is a very new experience for your baby who's only ever had milk before. Just take it gradually and your baby will soon come to enjoy more and more solid food as time goes on.
Colicky babies
Colic is one of the most common feeding problems, occurring in up to one in four young babies. The causes of colic are not fully understood, however there are a number of potential contributing factors. One is that your baby swallows too much air without burping causing his tummy to fill and stretch with wind - which is quite painful. Another is that your baby's bowels work too hard to remove waste from his body and start to cramp up. Read more »
How do I know if my baby has colic?
You'll recognise colic by a flushed face, clenched fists, and legs pulled up to the chest with 2 - 3 hour spells of loud crying, often 15 mins after feeding. Colic problems can occur any time in the first few weeks after birth and as a rule, will usually disappear by the time your baby is 3 months old. However, if your baby's still suffering from colic at this stage, here are some practical tips to help ease his pain:
- Give your baby a nice warm bath and then swaddle him in a warm blanket
- Gently massage your baby's tummy in a clockwise direction
- Ask your Public Health Nurse to show you different winding techniques
- "Cycle" with your baby's legs
- Rock your baby back and forth or pop them in the car for a drive - the movement can help settle them
- An infant formula, like Cow & Gate is specially designed to be more easily digested and soften stools, helping ease your baby's digestive discomfort. It also prevents your baby taking in too much air while feeding, which can also contribute to colic.
If you have any worries about your baby's health, it's always best to talk to your health visitor, public health nurse or GP.
Bringing back milk after each feed
Many babies can bring back or 'posset' a small amount of milk after each feed. While it may look like a lot, it is usually not enough to interfere with your baby's nutritional intake… Read more »
A small amount of liquid looks like a lot when it spills (spill 2 or 3 teaspoons of milk onto the kitchen table and see how it looks). There's really no need to worry if your baby is growing well and thriving. Babies who do this tend to continue until about 6 months of age so do invest in lots of bibs and cloths to protect both of you!
Drinking from a beaker
From about 6 months it is a good idea to start introducing a beaker to your baby, perhaps after meals when weaning is established… Read more »
Drinking from a beaker requires different facial muscles to those used for sucking on a bottle, and can help with speech development. The aim should be to make the transition from bottle to cup by baby's 1st birthday. This can be difficult to achieve, so you are not alone if it takes a little longer.
Keeping it gluten free
Gluten is a protein found in some cereals and is unsuitable for a baby's digestive system before the age of six months. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, oats and barley, so be sure to keep your baby's diet free from these ingredients until after he turns six months… Read more »
Alternatives to these cereals include baby rice, sago and millet, all of which are gluten free.
Other foods which are best avoided until later on are:
- Cows milk
- Nuts- especially peanuts
- Eggs
- Shellfish
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