Feeding Concerns for Your 3-Month-Old: Tips for Nutrition and Comfort - Pediatrics

Dr. Cai Zhengxian reply Pediatrics

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Dear Mama Bear,
I apologize for the delay in my response.
Goat milk formula generally contains added calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, folic acid, probiotics, and fructooligosaccharides, making it a good nutritional supplement for infants and children.
However, for infants under four months old, it is not recommended to use goat milk formula due to their immature digestive systems.

Regarding the vegetable and fruit rice cereal you mentioned, are you referring to the rice cereal that contains essence of brown rice, yam, dried tangerine peel, spinach flakes, and vegetable flakes? If so, we recommend introducing it after your baby is four months old to avoid excessive food components that may interfere with the absorption of nutrients from regular milk.
Lastly, you mentioned that your baby is crying incessantly.
I have attached an article titled "For New Parents" for your reference: How to Soothe a Crying Baby (excerpted from the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations).
Dear New Parents,
Congratulations on becoming amazing parents! New parents often find themselves at a loss when their baby cries, and I hope this article can provide some assistance.
When a baby cries, it indicates that they need your help.
Sometimes, as parents, it can be difficult to discern their needs.
Below are some common reasons for crying and suggestions on how to soothe them.
Research shows that if parents respond quickly to their baby's cries, it can reduce the frequency of crying.
Parents should remain calm, as babies can sense our anxiety.
Remember, do not shake or hit the baby.
Reasons for Baby's Crying:
1.
Hunger: The baby may be crying due to hunger.
They might need to eat more than you expect.
If it has been over an hour since the last feeding, they are likely hungry.
2.
Loneliness: If the baby quiets down immediately when you hold them, they may be missing their mother! After all, they spent nine months in the womb listening to the heartbeat, so they need that closeness.
Comforting and holding them when needed will not spoil them.
3.
Wet or Dirty Diaper: Some babies are indifferent to wet or dirty diapers, while others are not.
If you notice the diaper is wet or soiled, please change it immediately.
4.
Temperature Issues: Check the baby's back or belly to see if they are too hot or too cold.
Adjust their clothing to ensure they are comfortable.
Babies should be dressed similarly to adults, or wear an extra layer in cold weather.
5.
Sleepiness: Some babies may become fussy before sleeping.
Try to establish a consistent bedtime routine.
You can give them a comforting item (like a small stuffed animal or a light blanket) to help them settle down before sleep.
6.
Overstimulation: If too many people are holding or talking to the baby, they may be overwhelmed by external stimuli.
Provide some quiet time for the baby.
Gently rocking them in a quiet, dimly lit room can be helpful.
7.
Discomfort from Undressing: Some babies dislike being undressed.
Before changing their clothes, you can place a cloth on their belly to reduce their discomfort.
8.
Startle Reflex: Sometimes, babies may suddenly jerk and cry as if startled.
You can wrap them securely in a blanket and give them a comforting hug.
9.
Pain: When a baby feels pain, they may be uncomfortable.
It could be due to a needle, sharp tags, or zippers, or they may have something like a string or an adult's hair wrapped around their toes or fingers.
Carefully check for anything that might be causing discomfort.
10.
Colic: Some babies cry for long periods due to colic.
Please consult your pediatrician for advice on soothing a baby with this condition.
11.
Illness: For some babies, crying may be one of the first signs of illness.
Fever, infection, or other conditions could cause them to cry.
If you cannot determine the reason for the crying or if usual soothing methods are ineffective, you should consult your pediatrician.
Methods to Soothe a Crying Baby:
1.
Rhythmic Patting: Gently pat the baby's back or bottom in a rhythm similar to a heartbeat or another soothing rhythm.
2.
Single Melody Humming: Repeatedly hum a single melody; you may find the baby hums along with you!
3.
Gentle Tapping: Lightly tap any part of the baby's body in a repetitive manner.
You can tap directly on their skin or gently tap their arms, legs, neck, behind the ears, soles of their feet, or back while they are clothed.
4.
Hold the Baby Against Your Shoulder: Let the baby's face rest between your cheek and shoulder.
Gently rock them in this position, or carry them around like this.
5.
Rhythmic Movements: Gently rocking the baby or pushing them in a stroller can also be soothing.
6.
Skin-to-Skin Contact: Remove the baby's clothing for skin-to-skin contact with you.
7.
Lie Down with the Baby: Lie down with the baby on a couch, bed, or floor.
You can have tummy-to-tummy contact or adopt a "spooning" position, where the baby's back is against your abdomen.
8.
Swaddle the Baby: Try swaddling the baby with a small blanket, placing their arms either inside or outside, whichever is more comfortable.
9.
Use Non-Noise Sounds: Some babies find monotonous external sounds soothing, such as a vacuum cleaner, washing machine, dishwasher, or running water.
If your baby responds well to these sounds, consider recording them for convenience.
10.
Bathing: Water can be soothing for many babies.
Give them a warm bath!
11.
Prepare a Front Carrier: When you need to move around and do chores, using a front carrier to keep the baby close can be comforting for them.
12.
Distract Them: Use toys or other interesting items to divert their attention and distract them from crying.
For New Parents—How to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
Everyone knows that babies grow while they sleep, and helping your baby sleep well is every parent's wish.
Here are some recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
1.
Spend some time soothing or rocking the baby before putting them in bed.
However, place them down while they are still awake, allowing them to practice falling asleep on their own by sucking their thumb, moving their body, or playing with a blanket or soft toy.
2.
When the baby first practices self-soothing, stay in the room with them.
If they are still not calm after five minutes, place your hand on them to see if it helps.
Avoid making eye contact, as this can make it harder for them to fall asleep.
3.
Distribute the baby's daytime naps evenly to enhance their nighttime sleep.
You can also get some rest while the baby is napping.
4.
During nighttime feedings, try to keep the baby focused on nursing, which will make the feeding more efficient and help them fall back asleep quickly.
5.
When the baby wakes up at night, let them know you are nearby.
If the baby cries, try to soothe them; this is not spoiling them but helps build their sense of security.
6.
If the baby seems easily upset, try to establish a consistent sleep routine.
Additionally, consider gradually increasing their sleep duration by an hour each day to see if they need more sleep.
Tainan Hospital wishes you good health and all the best!

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Reply Date: 2004/09/18