Question
A two-month-old baby has been showing disinterest in breastfeeding, both from breast milk and formula, since yesterday afternoon. The baby stops feeding after a short period and then cries. When fed again, the baby is willing to nurse. Today, there was a slight dry heave while breastfeeding, and the baby fell asleep after drinking a small amount, but the sleep was not deep; sometimes the eyes are slightly open, and soon the baby starts crying again.
Answer
It is common for newborns to have short or unfocused breastfeeding sessions, but if this situation persists, it should be a cause for concern. Possible reasons include breathing difficulties, such as an incorrect breastfeeding position by the mother that causes the breast to cover the baby’s nostrils. In this case, the mother can gently press the breast in front of the baby’s nostrils to improve the situation. Additionally, check if there is any foreign object in the baby’s nostrils. If there is, use a clean cotton swab dipped in water to gently moisten the baby’s nostrils (note: do not insert the cotton swab deeply into the nostrils).