Post by pinktorontogirl on Nov 28, 2006 20:24:47 GMT
Low muscle tone
Low muscle tone, also known as hypotonia, can present itself with “floppy” limbs, head, and a protruding tongue. It can also be described as the baby feeling like a “rag doll” easily slipping through an adult’s grasp.
Non-rhythmic suck
Due to lack of coordination, some babies have a unique sucking sequence. Most mothers who have previously had a breastfeeding baby will notice the difference. Weak reflexes for sucking and swallowing can present as gagging and coughing during a feeding. This can be a sign of a confused suck, swallow, and breathing process such as Dysphagia or aspiration of liquid
Arching
Arching backwards can be caused by low muscle tone.
Babies with low muscle tone will often brace their feet against objects, such as the arm of a chair or sofa, in an effort to stabilize themselves. This in turn leads to arching. Providing your baby with physical support in a comfortable position can reduce their need to do this. Swaddling often does the trick. You may also want to think about your seating, and sit in an open chair rather than a chair that allows your baby to resume feet-bracing and arching.
Over or under-sensitive to stimulation
This is common for babies who have Down's syndrome. Some babies respond better and nurse for longer periods of time in a dark, quiet environment where they can concentrate fully on the task at hand. Other babies respond better to loud, exciting music with a bouncy beat and being pat on the back to help keep them stimulated and awake during a feeding. So maybe you can listen to all that dance music afterall?!!!
Sleepy Babies
Our babies tend to be sleepy and to fall asleep at the breast before they get a chance to get the hindmilk – the creamy, calorie-rich milk that comes later in a feed, and that is important to a baby’s neural development and weightgain.
Gulping / Choking
Try positioning your baby so that her neck and throat are slightly higher than your nipple.
Positioning
Pay extra attention to positioning your baby at your breast. Try to keep your baby's body elevated near your breasts with her ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line and use extra pillows for support.
Low muscle tone, also known as hypotonia, can present itself with “floppy” limbs, head, and a protruding tongue. It can also be described as the baby feeling like a “rag doll” easily slipping through an adult’s grasp.
Non-rhythmic suck
Due to lack of coordination, some babies have a unique sucking sequence. Most mothers who have previously had a breastfeeding baby will notice the difference. Weak reflexes for sucking and swallowing can present as gagging and coughing during a feeding. This can be a sign of a confused suck, swallow, and breathing process such as Dysphagia or aspiration of liquid
Arching
Arching backwards can be caused by low muscle tone.
Babies with low muscle tone will often brace their feet against objects, such as the arm of a chair or sofa, in an effort to stabilize themselves. This in turn leads to arching. Providing your baby with physical support in a comfortable position can reduce their need to do this. Swaddling often does the trick. You may also want to think about your seating, and sit in an open chair rather than a chair that allows your baby to resume feet-bracing and arching.
Over or under-sensitive to stimulation
This is common for babies who have Down's syndrome. Some babies respond better and nurse for longer periods of time in a dark, quiet environment where they can concentrate fully on the task at hand. Other babies respond better to loud, exciting music with a bouncy beat and being pat on the back to help keep them stimulated and awake during a feeding. So maybe you can listen to all that dance music afterall?!!!
Sleepy Babies
Our babies tend to be sleepy and to fall asleep at the breast before they get a chance to get the hindmilk – the creamy, calorie-rich milk that comes later in a feed, and that is important to a baby’s neural development and weightgain.
Gulping / Choking
Try positioning your baby so that her neck and throat are slightly higher than your nipple.
Positioning
Pay extra attention to positioning your baby at your breast. Try to keep your baby's body elevated near your breasts with her ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line and use extra pillows for support.