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Dehydration in a breastfeeding baby
Dehydration is one of the major concerns that can afflict a new born baby and has most chances of going unnoticed and ignored. Losing too much body fluid or not taking enough fluids usually because of fever, overheating, vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. If untreated, it can lead to severe consequences, even brain damage or possible limb amputation. Usually, babies born to first time mothers who are new to breastfeeding and baby care are prone to dehydration as its symptoms are not quickly diagnosed.
Dehydration could occur as early as at the time of hospital discharge, due to a difficult delivery, maternal medication or pain. This can cause the baby to become lethargic and unenthusiastic while breastfeeding, taking insufficient milk and therefore, leading to dehydration. At hospitals, instead of initiating breastfeeding skills of the baby, they are given artificial water bottles and milk products. Surprisingly, even breastfed babies can suffer from dehydration usually because of improper breastfeeding techniques because of which the baby is unable to suck milk sufficient for its health and survival.
First of all, the mother should be wary of the various signs of dehydration in her baby right after birth and in the weeks during breastfeeding. The most popular method of ensuring that the baby is consuming sufficient nutrition is by checking its diapers; after the first couple of days, the baby must be wetting 6 to 8 diapers and must be having 2 to 3 bowel movements every 24 hours. If the baby is not wetting sufficient diapers, the mother should immediately seek help from a pediatrician or a health care expert. Also, dehydration can be diagnosed early by keeping track of the baby’s weight gain since it can prove that the baby is in fact, feeding well at the breast. It is highly important for the baby to be checked by the doctor for weight gain during the first week; physical examination can also check for lethargy, dryness of mucous membrane or malnutrition that can lead to dehydration. Apart from that, the mother can observe signs of dehydration at home as well; if the baby has persistent dark yellow urine, is less energetic, has dry lips and mouth and is not shedding any tears during crying, then these are valid enough reasons for the mother to seek help and get her baby checked. Some of the main causes of dehydration include fever; during which the baby sweats and the water is evaporated from the body. The baby also loses fluids by exhaling more. Overheating caused by an overly active day or staying in a stuffy room can cause a lot of fluid loss from the body; diarrhea and vomiting are also major reasons of dehydration since the child is unable to retain fluids in its body.
In order to treat dehydration, give plenty of fluids to the child, and in the case of exclusively breastfed infants increase the frequency of feedings. Mothers can also store expressed milk and give to the child often. Milk can be pumped using manual breast pump or electric breast pumps such as Medela Style and Pump Style Advanced. If the child is experiencing difficulty in swallowing, liquid paracetamol can also be given on the advise of the doctor. Keep the infant or toddler indoors during a hot day and offer the child plenty of fluids before an activity. If the baby is suffering from severe diarrhea or vomiting, liquids such as electrolyte solutions, water or apple juice can be given to them since they are easier to keep down. Also take advise from the doctor about which fluids to feed to the baby and which ones to avoid. Once the baby has stopped vomiting, feed electrolyte solution or water after every half an hour or so, if the child can keep this down then, feed around 2 ounces of water or electrolyte solution again with a gap of half an hour. If this feeding is successful as well, add milk or formula and increase the quantity of fluid given to 3 or 4 ounces administered after every 3 or 4 hours. If the baby does not vomit in 12 to 24 hours, transfer to the regular diet for toddlers and to breast milk for infants. Do not give the child any anti-nausea medicine, even by prescription. It is also recommended for breastfeeding mothers to increase and maintain their supply of milk so as to reduce any dehydration risks. Secondly, mothers must observe the baby’s feeding method and correct if the baby has a poor latch and is not sucking properly. In most cases, dehydration becomes serious on part of mother’s failure to observe and report inadequate milk production or the baby’s improper feeding position.
During breast compression, if the pressure is gently reduced as you continue to breastfeed, the baby might stop feeding. However, as the supply of milk builds up and starts flowing smoothly, your baby will start feeding again. This practice can be continued until the baby is fully satisfied or stops feeding in which case, the mother can change breasts and offer the second one to the baby. The baby can learn to get a proper grip onto the breast during this procedure as well. Alternatively, the mother can use breast pumps like Medela Style or Pump Style Advanced to pump a little amount of milk before feeding; this activity also encourages a continued flow of milk for the duration of the breastfeeding session and increases milk production by the breasts.

This is written exclusively for Coupon Saving Family by Richard Winer. Please do not copy.