728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
Get Pregnancy Information
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › General Health › Tummy Trouble?

Tummy Trouble?

A Guide to Your Newborn's Digestive System

By Jennifer Lacey

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Necrotizing entercolitis (NEC) is an infection of the bowel (intestine) that causes the lining to swell. This inflammation makes a newborn stop digesting food.

Signs and symptoms to look for include bloody stools, a swollen, firm stomach (known as abdominal distension), decrease of appetite or acting or looking sick. Risk factors that may make a newborn more likely to be become infected with NEC include premature birth, low birth weight, heart problems that present at birth and exposure to bacteria while in the nursery (due to their immature immune systems).

Intestinal function is measured by how much NEC has damaged the baby's intestinal lining. The more infection and damage found, the more likelihood of complications. Necrotizing entercolitis is a serious condition, and if left untreated, it may result in severe complications. Any newborn baby diagnosed with NEC must be treated in a hospital, but the survival and recovery rate for newborns is good if they are properly diagnosed and treated.

Spittle: The Reason Behind the Extra Laundry

To a parent, when a newborn spits up, it may appear to be an entire feeding of milk. In reality, this seemingly large amount probably only measures a teaspoon. Regurgitation, or "spittle," is very common during the first few months of life. Some babies spit up a little, others with almost every feeding.

There are ways to minimize the amount that your baby spits up. If your newborn is crying, delay feeding until he has calmed down. Keep her in an upright position during feeding times. Most importantly, take a little break during a feeding to burp, then continue and burp again at the end.

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.