Feeding issues
Up to 78% of formula-fed infants experience more than one feeding issue.1 Our Feeding Issues hub focusses on paediatric Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions (DGBIs); reflux, colic, constipation, and additional feeding issues like faltering growth and lactose intolerance.
Gastro - oesophageal reflux (GOR) is an involuntary passage of gastric content from the stomach into the oesophagus. Reflux or regurgitation can occur daily in about 50% of infants under 3 months of age.2
Our reflux and regurgitation section provides valuable information on a variety of relevant topics, for example: how to deal with infant reflux, managing reflux in the community, infant reflux and parental anxiety, a useful infographic on infant regurgitation and the NICE guidance on managing infant reflux.
Alternatively learn about colic in greater detail, specifically how to identify the signs of colic, and a stepped-care approach for managing colic in formula-fed infants.
Functional constipation (FC) is common in childhood and has been reported to affect up to one-third of children3. In a large proportion of children constipation presents in the first year of life4. Discover what the most likely triggers for FC are in our constipation section, along with how to help parents understand if their baby is constipated.
Inside our Faltering growth hub we unpack the definition, explore common causes, and share practical nutritional approaches, to help support appropriate catch-up growth. You can also read an expert opinion to guide clinical practice on catch up growth in infants and young children with faltering growth.
Lactose intolerance in babies is most common following an episode of infectious gastroenteritis when damage to the bowel lining results in a temporary deficiency in lactase – the enzyme which breaks down the lactose in milk. Read about the different types of lactose intolerance and advice to give to parents who are breastfeeding and/or formula-feeding.
- Bellaiche M, et al. Multiple functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequent in formula-fed infants and decrease their quality of life. Acta Paediatr 2018;107:1276-1282.
- Vandenplas Y et al. Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: joint recommendations of NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2009; 49: 498-547.
- NICE (2010). Constipation in children and young people: diagnosis and management. Clinical guideline. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg99/resources/constipation-in-children… (Accessed September 2025.)
- Tabbers MM. et al. Evaluation and treatment of functional constipation in infants and children: evidence-based recommendations from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN JPGN 2014;58: 258–274.