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Baby fussy feeder


Fussy eaters - NHS

It's natural to worry whether your child is getting enough food if they refuse to eat sometimes.

But it's perfectly normal for toddlers to refuse to eat or even taste new foods.

Do not worry about what your child eats in a day or if they do not eat everything at mealtimes. It's more helpful to think about what they eat over a week.

If your child is active and gaining weight, and they seem well, then they're getting enough to eat.

As long as your child eats some food from the 4 main food groups (fruit and vegetables; potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates; dairy or dairy alternatives; and beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins) you do not need to worry. Find out more about what to feed young children.

Gradually introduce other foods and keep going back to the foods your child did not like before. Children's tastes change. One day they'll hate something, but a month later they may love it.

Keep offering a variety of foods – it may take lots of attempts before your child accepts some foods.

Tips for parents of fussy eaters
  • Give your child the same food as the rest of the family, but remember not to add salt to your child's food. Check the label of any food product you use to make family meals.
  • The best way for your child to learn to eat and enjoy new foods is to copy you. Try to eat with them as often as you can.
  • Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little.
  • If your child rejects the food, do not force them to eat it. Just take the food away without saying anything. Try to stay calm, even if it's very frustrating. Try the food again another time.
  • Do not leave meals until your child is too hungry or tired to eat.
  • Your child may be a slow eater, so be patient.
  • Do not give your child too many snacks between meals – 2 healthy snacks a day is plenty.
  • Do not to use food as a reward. Your child may start to think of sweets as nice and vegetables as nasty. Instead, reward them with a trip to the park or promise to play a game with them.
  • Make mealtimes enjoyable and not just about eating. Sit down and chat about other things.
  • If you know any other children of the same age who are good eaters, ask them round for tea. But do not talk too much about how good the other children are.
  • Ask an adult that your child likes and looks up to to eat with you. Sometimes a child will eat for someone else, such as a grandparent, without any fuss.
  • Changing how you serve a food may make it more appealing. For example, your child might refuse cooked carrots but enjoy raw grated carrot.

Further information
  • Baby and toddler meal ideas
  • Dealing with child behaviour problems

Video: How do I manage a fussy eater? (18 to 30 months)

This video explains how to manage a fussy eater.

Media last reviewed: 2 December 2020
Media review due: 2 December 2023

Page last reviewed: 2 February 2021
Next review due: 2 February 2024

Baby Fusses or Cries During Feeding: Causes & Solutions

Is your baby fussy every time you offer the breast? Do they cry, making it hard to breastfeed?

I’ve been there and know how it can be distressing when your baby is irritable while breastfeeding. It can make you question whether you’re doing something wrong and why the experience isn’t turning out how you imagined.

To help set your mind at ease and offer you some hope, we’ll share everything we know about what makes a baby upset during breastfeeding.

We’ll help you determine the cause of your baby’s fussiness. We’ll also offer our solutions so your breastfeeding sessions can return to being a peaceful experience you both enjoy.

Causes of Baby Crying During Feeding

Half the battle is finding out why your baby is crying and fussing when they should be enjoying their time at the breast. You want to know your baby is getting enough milk and thriving. But it’s hard to be sure when they always latch on and off, crying in between.

Let’s discuss some possible causes.

1. Baby Isn’t Latching On

If your baby is fussing or crying, getting them to latch on to feed can be challenging. Whether overtired, overstimulated, or just plain hungry, a crying baby is unlikely to latch.

The Solution

Begin breastfeeding while your baby is calm and awake, before they get too hungry. Watch for early hunger cues such as rooting, smacking their lips, sucking their hands, sticking their tongue out, or waking from sleeping. Crying is a late sign of hunger.

Swaddling your baby and holding them close, dimming the lights, or moving somewhere peaceful and quiet might also help.

Another thing you can try is squeezing a few drops of milk onto your breast to entice your baby to latch on. The taste and smell of the milk might stimulate them to feed. Changing position or changing breasts can also work sometimes (1).

2. The Milk Flow Is Too Fast or Too Slow

Paying attention to when your baby starts to cry might shed some light on the reason.

If your baby is fussier in the morning, it could be that your overly full breasts release too much milk too quickly. Your breasts may have become engorged with milk during the night and your baby can’t cope with this forceful let-down.

Conversely, if they are fussier in the evenings, maybe the milk release is too slow and they get frustrated. They become impatient, waiting for the flow of milk that comes with the let-down, and start crying.

The Solution for Fast Milk Flow

A strong release of milk, or overactive let-down, can make your little one choke, gag, or cough when they’re feeding. They might unlatch from the breast because they don’t like or can’t cope with the fast flow. They could also be gulping a lot of air with the milk and getting gassy, which causes more upset.

These are some of the things you can do to counteract this:

  • Express before feeding: Pumping some of your milk before feeding, or expressing by hand, can help slow down the flow. After you feel the first let-down pass and you see the flow is slowing, put your baby to your breast.
  • Lie back when nursing: Adopting a laid-back feeding position with your baby lying on top of you can slow the flow. You could latch your baby on and then lie back against some cushions or pillows. Milk will flow against gravity and won’t pour down your baby’s throat.
  • Burp regularly: When your milk is flowing fast, your baby may gulp lots of air while feeding. A gassy baby is a fussy baby, so burp them regularly, during and after the feed.
  • Feed one side at a time: Alternate your breasts at each feed. That way, once the flow slows down on the breast your baby is feeding on, they might stop fussing.
  • Take a feeding break: If your flow is too much for your little one to cope with, remove them from the breast for a few seconds. Let the excess milk leak onto a towel, and offer the breast again when it stops. This might make your baby fussier for a while, but it will pay off in the long run.
The Solution for Slow Milk Flow

Your baby is hungry, but your milk is not coming quick enough. Just as we can get “hangry” when we need food or drink and aren’t getting it, our babies can too!

Luckily, we have some things you can try to combat a slow flow or delayed let-down:

  • Stimulate the flow: Either pumping or hand expressing a little milk before latching can kick-start your let-down reflex. Once you have a steady flow, then you can put your baby to your breast.
  • Warm compress: Use a warm towel or compress for a few minutes to stimulate letdown. Place it on your breasts just before each feed.
  • Massage: Massaging your breasts before and during a feed can help the milk flow faster.
  • Try breast compressions: If you notice your baby is about to start fussing and might unlatch, squeeze your breast. This will give your baby a burst of milk, keeping them actively feeding.
  • Get comfortable: Breastfeeding a fussy baby can be frustrating for you as well. Try and feed in a relaxing position, away from distractions. It’s a perfect time to just concentrate on your baby.
  • Make sure your baby gets enough milk: All that fussing and crying might make your little one tired, and they may fall asleep at the breast before they’ve eaten enough. Try and stimulate them to continue feeding by tickling their foot or stroking their cheek. The more your baby feeds, the more milk you will produce.
  • Some dos and don’ts: When breastfeeding, avoid smoking and alcohol. Also, try and steer clear of soda and coffee. All these could affect your milk production. Ensure you eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated, too (2).

3. Baby Is Going Through a Growth Spurt

There are times during a baby’s first year of life when they go through growth spurts. Their weight and length will increase, as will their head circumference.

Your baby may want to feed more often during a growth spurt and can become fussy. It’s not uncommon for a baby to suddenly feed up to 18 times in 24 hours.

While one does not necessarily lead to the other, it makes sense that a growth spurt and sudden, frequent feeding go hand in hand. Your baby will need more milk to support the growth spurt, and nursing more will naturally boost your supply.

During this time, babies can also become fussier than usual. They might appear unsettled and clingy, and they may not sleep as well as usual.

Growth spurts generally happen several times during the first year. These are the ages when they are likely to occur:

  • Two weeks old.
  • Three weeks old.
  • Six weeks old.
  • Three months old.
  • Six months old.

Not all babies will follow this timetable; some might have more growth spurts or they may be at different times. For some babies, there might be no change in their behavior when they have a growth spurt.

The Solution

During this time, follow your baby’s lead. Respond to their needs, whether it’s more feeds, extra cuddles, or just quiet time and a nap.

Your baby might get fussy if you aren’t producing as much milk as they want. It can take a day or so for your supply to catch up with the demand. The more you let your baby feed, the more milk your breasts will produce.

Your baby may seem hungry after normal feeding time, so don’t be afraid to nurse again. Keep yourself feeling good during this time by staying hydrated and eating balanced meals. Remember, you are not Superwoman; let family and friends help with chores and shopping while you spend time with your baby.

4. Baby Is Going Through a Developmental Stage

Your baby is constantly developing mentally and learning new skills as they go along. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for them, and there might be weeks when they are fussier than usual. Sometimes called the “Wonder Weeks,” it can explain mood changes in your baby (3).

You might find that during these periods, your baby becomes more curious and distracted while feeding. They might want to feed more or, conversely, not stay latched on long enough for a good feed. They can be cranky and fussy and cry a lot when you’re trying to breastfeed.

The good news is that these periods generally only last a few days before your baby returns to normal behavioral patterns.

Not all babies will fit into the pattern of wonder weeks and develop at different times.

The Solution

Feed your baby in a quiet room where there are likely to be fewer distractions. There’s nothing worse than having a situation where your little one latches on, then hears their dad or sees the dog and stops feeding (or worse yet, turns their head with your nipple still in their mouth!).

Trying to get your baby to pay attention can make them fussier and be a constant battle.

You might also find that your baby is fussier and wants to feed more often during these periods. Again, take your cue from them, and give them the extra time and attention they need.

5. Baby Needs to Burp

Babies often fuss, cry, or pull away from the breast when they need to burp. A fast flow of milk can exacerbate this. They can also swallow more air when they’re fussy or gulp down milk faster than usual if they’re over-hungry.

The Solution

Breastfed babies tend not to need burping as often as bottle-fed ones. However, there are times when gas can make them uncomfortable and they need to get it out.

If your baby is fussing, stop the feed and try and burp them. If you let them carry on feeding while they’re crying, then they can take in more air and make the problem worse. Eventually, it can end up with them spitting up.

It’s a good idea to burp your little one mid-feed, even if they don’t appear to be in too much discomfort. Try to do it when switching breasts or when your baby latches off the nipple.

Other Reasons for Crying During Breastfeeding

We’ve looked at some of the main reasons your baby might cry while breastfeeding. There are a few other things that can cause this, including:

  • Baby prefers one side: Your milk supply might be better on one breast than the other. This may be apparent if your baby only fusses when fed on one side.
  • Teething: This can be a painful and uncomfortable time for your baby, and they might fuss more when feeding. You might first realize it’s happening when they clamp down on your nipple and you feel the teeth through the gums. I’m all too familiar with that pain! But trust me, your baby isn’t trying to hurt you; they just want to relieve their pain (4).
  • Baby has eaten enough: If your little one starts fussing toward the end of a feed, this might be a sign they’ve had enough. Try offering the breast again a few times. If they don’t want it, move on. If you have ruled out any other causes for their crying, their little tummy might be full.
  • Baby wants to be pacified: Your little one might be full but still wants to suckle. However, it can be frustrating for them when milk is still flowing. This could be an excellent time to offer a pacifier for them to suckle.
  • Thrush: This fungal infection can affect your nipples or a baby’s mouth. If your baby has oral thrush, feeding will be uncomfortable, and they can get fussy. If you suspect this, contact your health care provider (5).
  • Baby has a cold: Trying to feed and breathe through a stuffy nose simultaneously can be challenging for a little one. They will become fussy and break away from the breast a lot. Use a nasal aspirator to try to clear their nose, or ask your pediatrician for advice.
  • Food sensitivity or allergy: While you might enjoy eating spicy food for dinner, your baby may not. The flavor of the food you eat comes through in your milk, and your little one might not always like the taste or the smell. You might notice they are fussier when you have consumed certain foods they don’t like or are allergic to (6).
  • Reflux: Although it’s not very common in breastfed babies, sometimes food comes back up from a baby’s stomach. This can make them cry and feel uncomfortable when feeding (7). Speak with your baby’s doctor if you suspect this is causing your baby to be fussy or cry during breastfeeding.

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Bird feeders: sizes, types, selection rules

Content:

  • Why do we need feeders?
  • Types of feeders
  • Selection and installation guide
  • Things to remember
  • Which feed can be used
  • Useful findings

"Small little birds are chilled,0022

and Blizzard with a roar frantic Knights Svetnoy 9000










































Remember these lines from Yesenin's poem? In winter, birds have a hard time. Lack of food becomes a problem. Food is needed in order for the body to produce heat. Ornithologists have calculated that in frosts 90 percent of birds die from lack of calories. The task of a person is to come to the aid of birds. One feeder , hung behind a window or on a tree, provides food for several hundred birds.

Why do we need feeders?


1. This is to help flying friends get the food they need for life.

2. Making or attaching feeders together is an excuse to spend time with your family.

3. Children will be happy to follow the replenishment of food . This will teach a responsible attitude towards our smaller brothers.

4. Knowing that there is a feeder on your site, the birds will fly in in the summer and protect the trees from insects

5. Feeders can become a beautiful element of decor in the garden.

6. For pecking feed Birds are interesting to watch for both children and adults.

When we were kids, we made bird feeders out of milk cartons. Today, it can be made from a variety of materials or you can choose a ready-made version that will decorate your backyard or apartment window.

Possible materials are wood, metal, cardboard, plastic, plywood.

Basic types feeders :

1. Suspended. Such models are hung on a tree branch. They have an elongated shape and mesh sides, from which it is convenient for birds to get food . It is desirable that feeder be wide enough to accommodate several birds.

2. Platforms . They are a flat plane on which feed . Such feeders have a number of disadvantages - the grains get wet in the snow and rain, scatter from the wind.

3. Trays. Pallets with sides and a roof are not only a place to eat, but also protection from the weather.


Feeders-trays and trays are large, so a dozen birds can eat on them at once.

4. Peelers. Designed for small birds. In such feeders it is better to put bread, which will be held by a metal mesh. Birds will peck out food from the cells.

5. Hoppers. They are small in size, so feathered friends will have to queue up to peck at the grain. There are models with automatic grain feeding, which is practical, since the feed will not scatter.

6. Cottages. A suitable option for a summer cottage. These are flat areas with a roof, so the bird's meal will not be spoiled by moisture.

Selection and installation guide

1. Decide where feeder will be installed. Small options are suitable for the apartment window - peelers, bunkers, hanging ones. Large ones will look good on the plot - houses, trays, platforms.

2. Locate the "refectory" in a place where food will not get wet from snow or rain. If this is not possible, consider options with a roof.

3. Birds can be easy prey for cats and small predators. Feeder must be installed so that the animals cannot reach it.

4. The product must be well reinforced. You can screw it to a tree, but there is a chance of damaging the trunk. Much more efficient to attach feeder to a free-standing pole, which must be well dug into the ground.

5. If you are going to install a feeder in the forest, but do not have the opportunity to add feed daily, choose models with automatic grain feeding.

Things to remember


1. Birds find food thanks to their sharp eyesight. Feeder must be bright. Another way to attract attention is to hang a bright ribbon on it.

2. When making a "dining room" on your own, give preference to safe materials. Staining is permissible only on the outside - lacquer or paint contains toxic substances.

3. It is more difficult for large birds to find food than for small ones. Sparrows love to swoop down on food in a flock and quickly peck everything. If you do not have time to constantly replenish feeder , choose smaller models, such as hoppers. Only one bird can eat at a time.

Which food

can be used

It is recommended to feed the birds with grains and some types of natural food.

Can:

  • wheat, millet, oats;
  • frozen or dried berries;
  • bread crumbs;
  • fat - for tits;
  • pumpkin and watermelon seeds;
  • sunflower seeds.

Not recommended:

  • moldy bread;
  • rice, buckwheat;
  • chips;
  • fruit and vegetable peel;
  • certain types of nuts;
  • fried and smoked natural food.

If you are afraid of making a mistake with the choice of ingredients, you can purchase ready-made bird food . A mixture of grains, dried vegetables and fruits contains all the necessary nutrients that will saturate the body of birds.

Useful conclusions


  • in winter it is difficult for birds to get food without human help;
  • feeder you can make yourself or choose a ready-made option;
  • "dining room" for winged birds must be protected from predators, snow and rain;
  • Not every kind of food is good for birds. Opt for prepared foods containing grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts.

We also recommend

🐦 How to teach a child to empathize: we make bird feeders. Photo feeders: how to make a feeder correctly

Parental complaints about unwillingness to learn, unwillingness to "obey the elders", self-will, stubbornness, addiction to computer games - all this is a common thing at the reception of psychologist Ekaterina Murashova. But recently, quite often (and every year - alas! - more and more often) families come and complain about the callousness, emotional "stupidity" of their children. Why do they grow up without feeling for others, and can something be done about it?

These children are often very intelligent, but they do not know how to sympathize with those who are nearby (at the same time, movie or book heroes sometimes do quite well), do not recognize the feelings of other people, do not understand the emotional consequences of their actions, they simply, apparently, are not interested in no one but yourself. People (classmates, teachers, parents, acquaintances) often appear to them in the form of uncomplicated schemes, or even just objects for simple manipulations (they, as a rule, are incapable of complex ones precisely because of a lack of understanding of the emotional side of what is happening). It happens that teachers who fall into my orbit also describe something similar in their students - both small and large.

Why is this happening? Worried parents and teachers nod at TV, virtual reality, the material ideals of the consumer society, computer games, the speed and cruelty of the modern world, the lack of "backyard life", even, sometimes, at some kind of "autism epidemic".

And, allegedly as a result, "He does not know how to take into account the needs of others!"; "He does not see others, does not understand, does not feel!" And all this, mind you, along with the almost public hysteria about tolerance, universal humanism, "acceptance of the other", etc.

But it is clear that before "accepting another", it would be nice to see him. And not as an object of your concern (allowing you to feel humane and tolerant), but as a subject with his own needs and problems.

Therefore, today we will talk about bird feeders made by children. It seems that it can be more humane, touching and harmless? This is certainly not on our topic - about childish callousness and parental and pedagogical anxieties. However...

What bird feeders should not be made

One day, at the end of winter, I suddenly discovered that the trees and bushes of our rather green quarter in the Moskovsky district of St. Petersburg were hung with numerous groups of "bird feeders". The quotation marks in my statement are explained by the fact that, in fact, the vast majority of these objects as feeders were absolutely unsuitable, and no bird food was observed in them. Judge for yourself.

It is difficult or impossible to get into such a "trough". None of them has a perch for a bird to sit on, the wind turns light paper bags and bottles, the sharp edges of the plastic cut the legs of the birds... Do I need to continue?

But what is this phenomenon? Where do these ugly bugs on bushes and trees come from? And this is another bureaucratic humanitarian initiative for elementary school students and kindergarten students: we will do everything at once and hang up bird feeders! Just like that - every group, every class. And on each bush, like a group of cheerful hangmen, they will hang out... This is good, we teach our children to think about our smaller brothers.

Do you think this is our local, district or city initiative? I thought so too. However, by the will of fate, I had a chance to ride about Russia. Here they are, dear ones, in Yekaterinburg.

And here - in general, in Khabarovsk.

This is an all-Russian initiative, do you understand? We will hang feeders all over the country and teach the younger generation to take care of those near and far!

And then I just hear muttering: well, of course, of course, our legislators are always generating all sorts of stupid initiatives, and then... Stop! Everything is fine with this initiative! There is no, absolutely no fault of officials, the virtual world, the world of consumption and, of course, children. Attention!

How to make the right bird feeder

You are a teacher, and such an initiative came to you from above. A good thing, in general, is feeders. In fifteen minutes you tell the children how the birds of your area eat, what feeders they need, what they must have (perches, bumpers, comfortable for paws, fixation, etc.) and what they should not have in any case. Tell us what such feeders can be made of and (important!) Which of these is more convenient and pleasant for the birds themselves.

Then - the most reasonable! (children are small, clumsy) - suggest making one high-quality feeder for the whole class and then set up a watch, who should pour food there when.

If the children agree, then two or three labor lessons are spent making a feeder and reasonably setting it up on the ground. At the same time, some children will watch sawing, hammering nails, etc. If you don’t know how, some dad (or mom) will help - it’s really a good thing. If the children themselves want to, send them home and once again specify which feeders will be accepted for hanging.

If a child who has tried hard at home brings you such a feeder, then what do you say?

You say that rustling paper birds are frightening, and in these idiotic rings and chains they can even break their legs. And, of course, you don’t hang these feeders anywhere. However, if you initially spent fifteen minutes and explained everything to the children, they won’t bring you such feeders.

If for once you have been brought a well and properly made feeder (pay attention to the perch on the side), you do not need to "decorate" it with frightening birds and making it difficult to approach the feeder with a white glossy advertising poster!

If you still want a poster, it is quite possible to attach it to a tree trunk higher or lower, but it would be better for all kindergartens to make sure that there is something edible in the feeder (when I saw this feeder, it was completely empty).

Now on. Here you are a parent, and a child came to you from school with the task of making a feeder. What are you doing? If you are not an amateur ornithologist, then, of course, you first surf the Internet. Then you tell the child what kind of birds you actually have there, what they eat and what psychomotor requirements they have for the feeding place.

Learn more