Do Down syndrome babies have trouble breastfeeding?
Do Down syndrome babies have trouble breastfeeding?
Extra patience and reasonable expectations are critical when breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome. Low muscle tone, tongue thrusts, and a weak suck can affect the baby’s ability to breastfeed. Babies born with Down syndrome are often more sleepy and placid.
Do Down syndrome babies feed well?
Babies born with Down syndrome can be bottle or breastfed, but they may require a little additional assistance. Many factors can affect eating, but the most common ones are due to a small mouth size, low muscle tone, or heart problems, which can make sucking difficult and very tiring.
How do you hold a Down syndrome baby?
6 Tips On How To Hold An Infant With Down Syndrome
- Swaddling. Snug as a bug.
- Provide extra support to the baby’s head. Provide extra support to the head and remind people who hold your baby to do the same.
- Watch those armpits!
- Pay attention to the limbs.
- Sideline is your child’s friend.
- Tummy time, tummy time, tummy time!
Do babies with Down syndrome grow slower?
Kids with Down syndrome tend to grow and develop more slowly than other children do. They may start walking or talking later than other babies.
Do babies with Down syndrome act differently?
‘ Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. This extra copy changes how the baby’s body and brain develop, which can cause both mental and physical challenges for the baby. Even though people with Down syndrome might act and look similar, each person has different abilities.
At what age do Down syndrome babies talk?
On average, children with Down syndrome start using words around 16 months of age—about 6 months later than other children. Children with Down syndrome are often taught sign language to enhance communication and bridge the gap between expressive language and receptive language.
Do babies with Down syndrome sleep more?
Babies with Down syndrome may find it harder to develop sleep patterns, get to sleep and stay asleep because their physical features (narrow upper airways, larger tongues and low muscle tone) can make them wake more frequently and make deeper sleep harder to come by.
Are there ways to prevent Down syndrome?
Prevention. There’s no way to prevent Down syndrome. If you’re at high risk of having a child with Down syndrome or you already have one child with Down syndrome, you may want to consult a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant.
How can I help my child with Down syndrome walk?
Guide your baby in playful exercises, which helps him or her learn to walk.
- Move your baby’s arms and legs in swimming motions.
- Gently bounce your baby on your lap while holding him or her in a standing position.
- Help your baby roll over so that he or she can become stronger and more mobile.
When do babies with Down syndrome start talking?
Typically, these children have a much harder time learning to talk (expressive language) than with understanding what they hear (receptive language). On average, children with Down syndrome start using words around 16 months of age—about 6 months later than other children.
Can I breastfeed a baby with Down’s syndrome?
The first days and weeks of breastfeeding are a time for you and your baby to get to know each other and learn together how to breastfeed effectively. As you get to know your baby better, you might discover that there are some specific physical characteristics of babies with Down’s syndrome that may have an impact on your breastfeeding journey.
How can I Support my Baby’s chin when breastfeeding?
Sometimes the dancer-hand position (see picture below) can be used to support the infant’s chin. Slide the hand under your breast forward, so you are supporting the breast with 3 fingers rather than 4. Form a U-shape with your thumb and forefinger to cradle your baby’s chin. This will help your baby press the nipple and areola between the gums.
What is the dancer hand position for breastfeeding?
Cup your hand under your breast, then slide it forward so that three fingers support your breast. Make a U-shape with your thumb and first finger and support your baby’s jaw in that U. This is called the Dancer Hand position.
How can I Help my Baby with Down’s syndrome gain weight?
Gentle hand expressing, rolling your nipple between your thumb and forefinger, gentle massage and perhaps a warm face cloth on the breast can help encourage your milk to let down. Babies with Down’s syndrome can sometimes gain weight slower than other babies.
