Accidentally Overfed Baby? Don’t Panic! What to Do

Did you accidentally overfeed the baby? If yes, do not panic! Overfeeding babies is a common mistake among first-time moms and dads, so you are definitely not alone. The joy of bringing home your heavenly arrival can be elating.

You want to ensure that your precious little one gets enough nourishment to support his growth and development. You may even begin to worry when it seems like your baby isn’t eating as much as they should, this usually prompts parents to give their little one more food than the baby can handle.

Babies have a way of letting parents know that they are full, however, in some cases they may fail to convey this message, causing caregivers to keep going with feeding them without realizing they had enough.

Subsequently, babies may begin to show signs of vomiting, excessive spitting, fussiness, and uneasiness right after eating. However, it is great news to know that there are a series of ways to help your baby out when they are overfed, so relax.

In this article, we will disclose the signs of overfeeding in babies and reveal what to do about your overfed baby. So hang on.

Signs That Your Baby Is Overfed

Overfeeding babies is a common occurrence for both seasonal and first-time moms so do not fret or feel bad when this happens. Vomiting and excessive spitting are one of the most common symptoms of overfeeding in babies.

These are the immediate aftereffect when the baby’s stomach is too full. That said, the following are the signs that show that your baby has had more than stomaches capacity;

1. Choking or gagging.
2. Burping.
3. Diarrhea and loose stools.
4. An irritated or fussy countenance.
5. A gassy and bloated tummy.
6. Sleeping issues
7. Foul-smelling poop.

Causes Of Overfeeding In Babies

There are several reasons why babies overfeed and they include;

1. Fast Eating

If your baby is a fast eater or sucking too quickly, it is almost avoidable for overfeeding not to occur. This is because it will take longer for the brain to register that the stomach is full and has had enough food or breast milk.

2. Misinterpreting Hunger Cues

It is very typical to think your baby is crying because he or she is hungry, it is every mom’s first instinct to breastfeed or bottle feed their babies when they cry. Babies cry for a lot of reasons, mostly due to discomfort, it isn’t necessarily because they are hungry.

3. Inappropriate Portion Size

When parents offer milk to babies in larger portions, then overfeeding is bound to happen. This causes parents to put pressure on the baby to finish the meal. It is best to be aware that babies have an appropriate portion size based on their age.

What To Do When Your Baby Is Overfed

Overfeeding babies is not a dire situation, and it can be managed by doing the following;

1. Observe Your Baby

Closely monitor your baby to ascertain if your baby is overfed or not and also understand the gravity of the situation.

2. Burp The Baby

Burp your baby by gently patting or rubbing their back. Do this continuously until the baby belches or burps. This ease off the discomfort that is usually caused by bloating, it helps release gas stuck in the digestive system.

3. Provide Comfort

The next thing to do is to provide your baby as much comfort and attention as they would appreciate. You can choose to take your baby for a walk with a stroller or baby carrier, or simply just gently rock them till they stop being fussy. You can also offer your baby a self-soothing tool such as a pacifier to help keep them calm.

How To Avoid Overfeeding Your Baby

Overfeeding can be uncomfortable for babies, so it’s best to prevent the occurrence over time. As it is a mainspring of discomforts, it is also a cause of excessive weight gain in babies. Here are ways to avoid overfeeding your little one;

1. If your baby is sucking too fast due to the fast flow of milk either from the bottle or the nipple, consider using a slow-flowing feeding bottle to help slow down their eating. This will help them register that they are full on time.
2. Try to be very conservant with your baby’s hunger cues. Make sure to take note of the best time to feed your baby, this ensures that you don’t overfeed them by mistaking their hunger cues.
3. Take note of the appropriate amount of milk to offer your bundle of joy. Ensure that you do not surpass the right portion of food your baby is supposed to have per feeding time.
4. Do not pressure your baby to keep eating when they show signs that they are done with the food. Even in cases when they have not finished up the appropriate portion of milk in the bottle, learn to give it a rest.
5. Offer your baby a pacifier when they have had the right amount of food but are still fussy. This will help them self-soothe.

In Closing

It is quite normal for accidents like overfeeding your baby to happen and it is best to keep calm and not panic. Overfeeding might cause a series of discomfort to your baby thereby making your little to be fussy and cranky.

There are several things to do that have proven to be of great help for overfed babies.

Fortunately, this article reveals all that you need to do to alleviate this issue to help restore your little angel to his happy, elated, and comfortable state!