Baby only breastfeeding for few minutes - and poo green

[busybee9]

After lots of difficulties with breastfeeding at 9 weeks my baby starting screaming everytime I tried to feed him - he'd had no bottles at this point. Sometimes went on for 2 or 3 mins then pulled off crying. After 48 hrs of this I bought out the formula which he drank fine. I still try to feed him at every feed and sometimes he'll go on for a few mins (now and then 10) sometimes refuses. I top up with formula at every feed now but his poo is quite green which i think is from getting the foremilk off both sides rather than the hindmilk. He is 12.5 weeks now - is it worth me continuing - is he getting anything worth having if it is just foremilk? I have 2 other children and no family nearby - so going to bed with him for days just not an option.

busybee sorry you are having to struggle with this :(

Hard to help on a talkboard - you could call any of the helplines and share more details with them.

Questions with useful answers might be

• what were the problems you had in the first weeks?
• what has been your baby's weight gain since birth?
• how much formula is he getting over a period of a day?

I'd be thinking of the possibility that your supply has been somewhat marginal for a while and that giving formula has reduced it even more - no need for panic stations but instead, a 'rescue' plan that preserves your choice to breastfeed.

Thanks tiktok - he gained 9oz a week for a few weeks then 5oz a week for 4 weeks - this sent him dropping through centile lines - 9lb 4oz at birth and on 98th centile for length so big baby. He was definitley having a growth spurt at 9 weeks as he outgrew his 0-3 sleepsuits. Tried helpline when problem first started and she felt it would resolve fairly quickly on its own.
I always felt I was struggling to make enough milk as he would feed and feed for hours. Now even when breast is full he won't feed for very long - although milk is still there

busybee - I wonder if you have struggled with over-supply?

That initial weight gain is high. This is one of the signs of over-supply.

I think it would be a good idea to call the helpline again and say what's happened recently.

It was reasonable to suggest this might have resolved on its own, but as it hasn't you need more opp. to discuss further strategies, I think.

It's also helpful to know how much formula he is having - topping up at every feed could be he is getting a lot, which could well plunge you from over supply to under supply....

Just a random one, but has your baby been checked for tongue-tie?

Yes baby did have tongue tie which was snipped at 4 weeks - didn't make much difference though.