Oats at 10 weeks? Pressure

[strawberrycake]

I've posted a lot about my son's feeding issues. He's currently eating about half the recommended amount for his size/ age. His weight gain veers from static to slow. He's gone from 75th centile to below the 25th in around 5 weeks. He screams during feeds and appears very uncomforrable. I'm going back to the gp to ask for a refferral, they've tried gaviscon and soya formula so far which has cleared the diarrhea but he's constipated now (not badly).

MY husband is basically accusing me of being a bad mother as I won't give him oats (boil oats for a long time then feed the liquid after seiving the lumps). This is his mother's idea that it's the solution to everything and her kids thrived on it. I won't do it, I want to know what's wrong, not just keep guessing. Also it just doesn't feel right.

Who's wrong, me or him. We've had a row over it and he's left because I won't let him feed ds the oat milk.

weighed today, gained 2oz in 2 weeks but a very happy child. Think the health visitors are watching me! I went to a different clinic a few days later and they'd noted I'd not attended and were quick to see me. Thank god he goes in and beams at everyone and looks generally content so it's clear he's well looked after. At least HV notes in red book he's also alert and content, I get paranoid people will think I'M causing the poor weight gain. I've tried everything to help him, but I'm out of ideas. One week until pead, hoping I get answers.

He just ate ELEVEN oz?!!! Now passed out looking content. So he can! FIngers crossed he's cracked on hunger strike?

Wow! My DS was a good milk drinker (formula), but has hunger strikes now (he is 2 is a week and a bit). Drives me crazy! Fingers crossed for you! Hope you can relax a bit. Have you seen the paed yet?

Paed thursday, I've written down all I want to say/ ask as I'm crap in situations like this. I'm not too worried as he's so happy but I can feel the difference when I hold him, definitely 'ribby'. I've been trying every trick in the book to get milk in him (dummy/ bottle swap when sleepy is a winner), but it's been a 2oz average each feed. His last feed is practically a usual DAY for him. Even better, it's still all inside him amazingly....so far...

Babies kidneys are not developed enough to process the electrolytes (salt, potassium etc found in foods that are not milk) so giving them other foods can be harmful. The oat liquid will have very little nutritional value and will only fill him up and reduce his intake of milk (much more nutritious) and make the issues work.
I seriously doubt a teaspoon of orange juice will have any effect upon constipation, there is no scientific evidence that this will help.

I would harrass the GP into getting an appointment with a paediatrician ASAP as soya milk is not recommended for babies under 6 months old either.

Emmylou-thanks for your advice. I have an appointment tomorrow with the paed.

He's gained 2oz in the last two weeks so at least he's not lost weight. Actually seen an improvement in relaxation/ volume in the last few days but he has AWFUL constipation. He simply can't go on his own. He strains and produces a few green pellets but if you take is nappy off and gently raise his legs and very gently spread his bottom you can help him push out a HUGE dry log. IT's so hard and dry, big long solid sticks about the diameter of a penny, he can barely pass them. It breaks my heart to see. He's much more relaxed once you've helped him go, it does need addressing.

I thought I'd update this.

Ds simply changed his mind one day. Has been eating HUGE feeds and gained 8oz this week (he gained this in the past 7 weeks prior!)

No rhyme or reason, no change in temperament, no change in milk. Just cracked and ended hunger strike. Even acquired 2 night feeds.

Oh and we're referred to dietician about changing milk. I must admit although I know soya is not good I'm rather scared about changing to another hypoallergenic milk a I'm worried it'll lead to more feed refusals due to the taste.

I felt AWFUL. When I got home I convinced myself that he COULD drink normal formula. That he didn't need any funny stuff and it would lead to feed refusal. I let myself be convinced it was just a virus/ a bad start to feeding as originally thought. I guess I forgot what it used to be like (I guess I blocked it out). I wanted him to have a normal diet too and enjoy food normally, and I think this on flection motivated me. Maybe I also got so happy he could eat again that I decided that it was all just a phase, not eating etc. I thought if he could eat, it was all fine again. I did what everyone kept pressuring me to do.

please don't hate me

I was so sure I gave him a bottle of normal formula.

He shat 3 times in 10 min and screamed red in the face with his legs curled up for AGES. It was a return of the impossible newborn I had originally. I was transported back to the time when he screamed and screamed whatever you did, rigid as a board. He honestly was in such a state it made no difference if you cuddled him or left him alone. He didn't register the difference. Luckily this time it lastest under an hour, as opposed to constantly as before, but I felt shit.

Oh strawberrycake, don't be too hard on yourself :( You were only doing what you thought best. Is DS okay now?

Aww, strawberrycake, poor you. Noone would hate you! I bet you felt crap but it is over now and at least you know for sure he's better off on hypoallergenic formula.
Great that he's feeding and catching up on weight gain. You're doing an amazing job with him.

Bertie- he was feelign fine in an hour or so and shitting normally by the next day. It just feels awful to have inflicted any pain on your child.

pomme-thanks for saying that, it really means a lot.

Glad he is feeding better. Don't beat yourself up about trying something and it not working - you are just trying to do your best for your DS.

If he is growing lengthwise then maybe thats where all the energy from his food is going?
I can't remember all the centiles but ds1 (now 5.8yo) was a very long slim baby. From birth, each time he has a growth spurt, he goes longer/taller first before he fills out. As a baby he was sometimes so skinny and the hv's were always frightening me to death with their centiles and charts.

He is just tall and skinny - just like his dad in fact - but the hv's could not see that! I just kept hearing 'failure to thrive' and mil saying he should be on solids at 4 months 'to fill him out' and that he needed to be put on a bottle practically every day from birth.

I agree with others who say go to A&E, cause a referral in two weeks with such centile drops - well 2 weeks is along time to wait!

At least get him checked out.

I had to fight off 'advice' from mil, its awful isn't it?

But, 5 years on, I have a child who goes very skinny every once in a while. You know those letters from schools saying that children are obese when they aren't really? We got hauled in because our active child with small appetite and natural slim frame was 1lb underweight on their charts....

Hopefully your baby just has a small appetite and slim frame too. Fingers crossed, and try not to stress and feed times, he will be picking up on that.

strawberrycake, glad to see you're seeing some improvment, and I'm sorry to worry you further. My DS2 is dairy-allergic, and the nutritionist we saw (prior to allergy-paed) was quite adamant that soy-formula should not be givent to under-ones, especially not boys. As it turns out mine's allergic to soy as well, and I'm quite happy bf'ing, so not relevant to my case.

I can see why you'd be worried, but do , do try another extensively hydrolysed milk.

(and well done for sorting your ds's problem :))

Not the right place I know, but this has become a thread about him...

His cheeks have been getting drier and drier and a few days ago I noticed some dry circles of skin. At bath time I've just noticed the dry circles are pink and are actually raised bumps. I'm worried this is allergy ezcema.

Haven't had time to read all comment so sorry if repeating anyone..
Gaviscon did nothing to sooth my reflux baby - she had acid reflux and projectile vomiting so was pretty severe. It made her constipated! So I used to use half the does once or twice a day, never as much as they said. Then I gave up on it as it did nothing for her acid.
The other thing about Gaviscon is that it is the only medicine your GP can prescribe so if they suspect reflux, its all they are allowed to give. You need proper antacid medicines and the consultant has to prescribe these - IF this is what is needed.
So your GP can't solve reflux problems.
You need to see the Consultant so pester your GP for this.
Keep your chin up and be strong! Ignore the Oats so simple if you ask me!

strawberry - eczema v common in babies with allergies - you need to discuss with doctor, incase his formula is making it worse. GP can give you creams. Also what are you using in bath / what washing powder are you using on sheets?

My DD had eczema as a baby though and now doesn't have.

I'm using non-bio powder, but I'll try another brand. Johnsons in bath. Both his half-siblings have quite severe skin issues, one psoraiasis which isn't responding to treatment.

this sounds just like my DS1 he was 7lb6 born (36wks) but went down to 4lb 8 by 10 days. After weeks of no help from the HV or GP we went to a chiropractic clinic who suggested this and after referrals it turns out he was allergic to dairy, all their derivatives and also soya my situation was slightly different as i was bf and so I gave up any foods containing these but when it came to fomula I was prescribed a soya and dairy free one. It tasted disgustng but he would take it if he was hungry enough.
He is now 4 and still has sensitivities and bad eczema but we limit his intake and he's fine if a little small.

Also we found only bathing him twice a week (max) and just giving him a wipe over before bed with no cleaner made his eczema a lot better. and soap nuts to wash with although do use an essential oil as well as they smell disgusting.

I totally agree about not having loads of baths.

Aveno Oil is great -ironically it has oats in it which soften the skin.

It is expensive to buy but you can get it on prescription.

oh and some mums do not recommend johnston's baby oil if there is excema.

Apologies for the shocking spelling.

strawberry - try surcare washing powder. use aqueous cream instead of johnstons in bath. if it gets worse your gp will prescribe other stuff for bath and moisturising.

Thanks for all the advice, it doesn't thankfully seem bad or bothering him. Mainly the back of his legs with no real worsening. I always oil him with olive oil, I have done from birth as he had such dry skin. I presume this is ok?

I'm getting sick of the soya and becoming dubious as to whether it's much better. He can't do a poo without help on the stuff. You see him strain then when you open the nappy it's half in and half out. To get the rest out you need to gently push back and move his legs. I don't know how long this referral to a dietician will take. They haven't even got in touch yet.