There are many different medical concerns that can cause feeding problems in babies. You will need to report your concerns to your child’s doctor, who may uncover additional symptoms through testing to reach a diagnosis. Some conditions or issues that can lead to feeding problems in an infant include:
- Trouble sucking and swallowing.
- Gastrointestinal disease.
- An underlying neurological condition.
- Infection.
- A metabolic disorder.
- A genetic disorder.
- Structural abnormalities, such as cleft lip or cleft palate.
Some of these causes are easy for doctors to rule out. Others may require additional testing to identify the problem and which treatment will best address the issue or condition. Your doctor may also recommend some steps you can take to prevent further complications and improve the feeding process until you receive a diagnosis.
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Diagnosing the Source of a Feeding Problem
Getting to the bottom of what causes feeding problems in babies is not always straightforward, but your child’s doctor should take specific steps to diagnose and address the concern. In most cases, a pediatrician will be able to identify additional symptoms or signs that point toward a specific condition.
Most feeding problems in babies have multiple factors that play a role, and there is a wide range of accepted classification systems and metrics to consider. This makes identifying and managing these conditions more complex. The doctor should select and follow one of the guidelines for clinical assessment of feeding problems.
For example, many guidelines recommend using certain steps to clinically assess the baby’s symptoms. These steps include:
- Discussing feeding behaviors with parents.
- Reviewing the child’s overall health and developmental milestones.
- Considering the child’s history of feeding and growth.
- Observing a feeding.
The doctor may also follow up with medical imaging, blood tests, gastrointestinal (GI) studies, and specific laboratory testing to rule out or confirm a suspected diagnosis.
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Signs of Feeding Problems in Infants that Warrant a Discussion with the Doctor
In very young infants, it can be difficult to know which feeding behaviors are normal, and which are not. In general, you will want to discuss your child’s feeding with the doctor if there any of the following signs of a problem:
- Vomiting regularly after feeding, especially projectile vomiting or vomiting large amounts
- Breastfeeding for less than ten minutes each time
- Wetting less than four diapers per day, or other signs of dehydration
- Sleeping through a night feeding
- Infrequent or hard stools
- Unusually loose and very watery stools
- Acting hungry within a few minutes of feeding
- Blood in the stool
- Skin rash or other signs that may indicate an allergy or food intolerance
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Feeding Problems in Birth Injury Cases
There are two ways that an infant’s feeding problems may support a birth injury medical malpractice case. This includes it the underlying condition occurred as a result of a preventable birth injury, or if the doctor failed to diagnose or treat your child’s feeding problem.
To learn if your child’s feeding concern may support a medical malpractice case, you can reach out to a birth injury attorney who serves your state today. A law firm that takes on birth injury cases can help you determine if you may be able to seek compensation for the associated expenses and care.
An attorney who is familiar with the local laws that apply to medical malpractice and birth injury cases can explain your rights and the rules you need to know. For example, your state will have a deadline for filing a lawsuit in your case. Your legal representation can also help you identify the involved parties and assign liability. This is generally one of the following:
- The doctor who delivered or monitored your newborn
- Another medical care provider involved in the care of your infant
- The hospital or clinic where your child was born and received care
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Speak with a Member of Our Birth Injury Team Today
Contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group to discuss your potential medical malpractice case. A member of our team can review your child’s diagnosis and medical history in order to determine the strength of your case.
If we are able to help, an attorney from our firm can gather evidence to prove your case and your losses. We can help you pursue compensation to cover:
- Your child’s related medical expenses.
- Ongoing care costs.
- Out-of-pocket expenses.
- Any pain and suffering your child endured.
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