Symptom 3: Feeding Difficulties
For an infant, feeding isn’t just about nutrition. It’s a sacred ritual, a dance of trust and dependence between the baby and the caregiver. This dance, synchronized to the rhythm of suckling and swallowing, becomes an integral part of an infant’s daily life. However, when an interruption occurs in this flow, it becomes not just a cause for concern, but potentially an indicator of underlying issues like NEC.
The onset of feeding difficulties can be insidious. One might initially dismiss it as the baby being “just not hungry” or perhaps having a slightly off day. But as these subtle signs start becoming recurrent patterns – a hesitance to latch, a distinct lack of interest in feeding, or even a complete refusal to eat – they beckon a deeper probe into the baby’s health.
Beyond just the refusal, there are other associated behaviors to watch out for. Post-feed vomiting, especially if it’s forceful or frequent, can be a significant marker. There might be instances where the baby, after consuming only a minuscule amount, starts displaying signs of discomfort, pulling away, or crying. These are not mere tantrums but potential distress signals emanating from their delicate digestive systems.
An infant’s growth trajectory is closely tied to their nutritional intake. Thus, feeding difficulties don’t just pose immediate health challenges; they can have ramifications on their overall growth and development. The inability to extract the requisite nourishment from feeds can set them back on developmental milestones, making the resolution of this issue even more urgent.(3)
