WHEN
TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
Parents should always seek medical advice if they are worried
in any way about their infant, or themselves.
In relation to gastro-oesophageal reflux, the parents should
especially seek medical advice if:
VOMITING IS:
Of large volume;
Frequent, including posseting and regurgitation;
Increasing in amount;
Forceful;
Contains coffee ground like material;
Contains blood (red, black or coffee ground) or bile (green).
DURING FEEDING, THE BABY:
Pulls off the bottle or breast;
Is difficult to reattach to the breast or bottle;
Arches its back;
Draws its legs up;
Screams.
IF THE BABY IN GENERAL:
Is irritable or cries excessively;
Appears to be in pain or is very “windy” or
“colicky”;
Doesn’t sleep well, and is easily disturbed;
Seems “snuffly” or gags often;
Has feeding problems- either comfort feeding OR refusal
to feed;
Is failing to thrive.
IF THE BABY HAS CHEST PROBLEMS:
Repeated coughing;
Wheezing;
Repeated chest infections;
Apnoeas (periods of cessation of breathing);
Cyanosis (baby is blue).
IF THE PARENTS (MOTHER ESPECIALLY) ARE/IS:
Distressed;
Overtired and exhausted;
Confused about how to manage the baby;
Lacking support;
Socially isolated because of the child’s behaviour;
Depressed, feeling down, or negative;
Not eating;
Not sleeping;
Not coping;
Excessively weepy;
Worried that they may harm the child.
|
