Breastfeeding a baby with health problem

 Some health problems in babies will make harder to Breast feed.

But breast milk will be the healthy one for premature or sick baby.

Even if your baby cannot breastfeed directly from you, you can express or pump your milk and give it to your baby with a dropper,spoon or cup.

some common health problems in babies baby's are,

•  Jaundice 
• Reflux disease 
• Colic 
• Premature or low birth weight.

1.Jaundice

Newborn jaundice is very common.

The good news is that in most cases, newborn jaundice goes away on its own as a baby’s liver develops and as the baby begins to feed.

In most cases, jaundice will disappear within 2 to 3 weeks. 

Some breastfed babies develop jaundice when they do not get enough breastmilk, either because of breastfeeding challenges or because the mother's milk hasn't come in. This type of jaundice usually clears up quickly by breastfeeding more often or feeding of expressed breastmilk or after the mother's milk comes in.

Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Even if your baby gets jaundice.

Causes of newborn jaundice include:

• Internal bleeding
• Liver problems
• An infection
• An enzyme deficiency
• An abnormality in your baby’s red blood cells
• Premature babies (babies born before 37 weeks’ gestation)
• Babies who aren’t getting enough breast milk or formula, either because they’re having a hard time feeding or because their mother’s milk isn’t in yet
• Babies whose blood type isn’t compatible with the blood type of their mother.

It is recommened that all newborn babies should be examined for jaundice before discharge from the hospital.

Carefully monitor your baby the first five days of life for the symptoms of jaundice, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes.

If you notice that your baby has the symptoms of jaundice, call your doctor immediately.

2.Reflux Disease

Some babies develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

Some symptoms of GERD include:

• Severe spitting up or spitting up after every feeding or hours after eating
• Projectile vomiting, where the milk shoots out of the mouth
• Inconsolable crying, as if in discomfort
• Arching of the back, as if in severe pain
• Refusal to eat or pulling away from the breast during feeding
• Waking up often at night
• Slow weight gain
• Gagging or choking or having problems swallowing

Many healthy babies might have some of these symptoms and not have GERD. 

Not all babies with GERD spit up or vomit. GERD may need to be treated with medicine if the baby refuses to nurse, gains only a small amount of weight or is losing weight.

See your baby's doctor if your baby spits up after every feeding and has any of the other symptoms listed in this section. 

If your baby has GERD, continue breastfeeding. Infant formula is harder to digest than breastmilk.

3.Colic

Many infants are fussy in the evenings, but if the crying does not stop and gets worse throughout the day or night, it may be caused by colic.

 Colic usually starts between 2 and 4 weeks of age. A baby may cry inconsolably or scream, extend or pull up his or her legs, and pass gas. 

The baby's stomach may be enlarged. Crying can happen at any time, although it often gets worse in the early evening.

Colic will probably get better or disappear by the age of 3 or 4 months. 

Some breastfed babies may be sensitive to certain foods their mother eats, like caffeine, chocolate, dairy, or nuts.

If your infant shows signs of colic, talk to your doctor. Sometimes changing what you eat can help. Some infants seem to be soothed by being held, "worn" with a baby wrap or sling, rocked, or swaddled (wrapped snugly in a blanket).

4.Premature or low birth weight 

Premature birth (also called preterm birth) is when a baby is born before 37 weeks.

 Premature babies often have a low birth weight.

Both of these can make it challenging to breastfeed, especially if the baby has to stay in the hospital for extra care. 

But breastmilk helps premature babies grow and stay healthy.

Some babies can breastfeed right away. This may be true if your baby was born at a low birth weight but after 37 weeks. These babies will need more skin-to-skin contact to help keep warm. These smaller babies may also need to be fed more often because their stomachs are smaller, and they may get sleepier during those feedings.

If your baby is born prematurely and you are not able to breastfeed at first, you can:

• Hand express or pump colostrum in the hospital as soon as you are able.
• Pump milk as often as you would normally breastfeed — about eight times in a 24-hour period (every 3 hours).
• Give your baby skin-to-skin contact once your baby is ready to breastfeed directly. This can be very calming and a great start to your first feeding. 
• Be sure to work with a lactation consultant on proper latch and positioning. It may take some time for you and your baby to get into a good routine.