Down Syndrome Medical ProblemsWhat they mean for your babyDown Syndrome Medical Problems Certain problems a baby with Down Syndrome may be born with can add to his difficulty feeding. For example if your baby has a heart problem he or she may tire more easily than a baby who does not have this problem. If your baby is hooked up to machines due to other sorts of problems, lung immaturity for example, it will also be difficult for him or her to learn how to eat until these issues are resolved. When a baby has been tube-fed for a while it may be a little frustrating and confusing for him to now have to suck on a nipple in order for his tummy to get full. This is one of the reasons why babies are weaned slowly from the tube to the bottle/breast while they are in the NICU. Next, there may be structural problems, such as a cleft palate or lip (though this is not as common in Down Syndrome as other characteristics). Home
|
