Q: My 4 days old baby does not drink milk from her mother. She drank only for the first 2 days. But he does drink it if the mother's milk is given on manually squeezing into a container and fed to her. Can you please guide?

A:The most common reason for not feeding well from the mother's breast is faulty technique and excess anxiety of the mother. Frequently, it may be because of a fungal infection in the oral cavity of the baby, commonly called thrush. With a bit of care, patience and support in comfortable surroundings the mother should be able to feed from the breast. If this continues, it is better to consult a paediatrician.