What should be done if a newborn is not breastfed
Oct 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
The treatment for newborns not receiving breastfeeding should be based on an analysis of the underlying cause. If the issue is due to lack of time for feeding, use a breast pump to express milk and warm it before feeding the baby via bottle when the newborn is hungry. If the cause is a milk allergy, discontinue breastfeeding and switch to an amino acid-based hypoallergenic infant formula. If insufficient milk production is the problem, adjust the mother's diet to promote increased milk supply.
When newborns are not breastfed, the reasons for the lack of breastfeeding should be analyzed, such as insufficient time for feeding, milk allergy, or low maternal milk production.
1. Insufficient time for feeding
If a mother returns to work immediately after delivery, resulting in no time available for breastfeeding, she can use a breast pump at home to express milk from her breasts. The expressed milk can then be warmed and fed to the newborn from a bottle when the baby is hungry.
2. Breast milk allergy
In cases where lactose intolerance causes an allergic reaction to breast milk, leading to the absence of breastfeeding, mothers may discontinue breastfeeding under medical guidance and switch to a hypoallergenic infant formula. This alternative usually meets the nutritional needs required for the baby's growth.
3. Low maternal milk supply
If poor maternal health or inadequate nutrition leads to insufficient milk production and thus prevents breastfeeding, adjusting the mother’s diet promptly—by consuming more nutrient-rich and protein-rich foods—can help promote milk secretion.
