Continued from Part Three...

Most children adopted internationally will not be used to the abundance of their new home. One of the biggest changes for them might be food. For children who are used to small, scheduled meals, or always feeling hungry, or the same meal for every meal, life with their new family will most likely create quite an array of emotions and adjustments in the food department. They might be over-stimulated by the choices and quantities of food placed before them at meals. A simple trip to the grocery store could send your new child into sensory overload. Even a well-stocked fridge or pantry could be overwhelming for a newly adopted child. Most adoptive parents understand that their new child will view our food as unusual, and that they will have to get used to eating a different cuisine. But there is so much more to the food situation.

It is completely normal for children adopted from Haiti (or other countries) to come home with food issues. In fact, it should be expected that they will have some form of food problems.

Infants who have previously lived in an orphanage may not be used to being held while fed. They might feel most comfortable having their bottle propped up, just like it might have been in the orphanage. Or, they might be accustomed to having a nipple with a large hole, so that they can drink it quickly. They may not have good sucking skills due to an enlarged nipple hole. The best thing for you and your new baby is to try and reverse these poor habits. Hold him or her while you feed a bottle, and do not widen the nipple hole no matter how frustrated he or she might be with a slower flow. It is important for him or her to learn how to suck properly. It might take time and be difficult, but your baby will get used to it eventually and it will provide some good bonding time.

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