Breastfed baby losing weight, been admitted to hospital.

[kickingking]

I'm in hospital with my week old baby, having been readmitted after leaving post cs on Saturday because baby had lost more than 10% of his birth weight.

He was born at 36+2 and spent 24 hours in SCBU after breathing difficulties and low blood sugars. Since then he has been breastfed but is sooo sleepy and keeps falling asleep on the boob. Being small is not an issue for him, he was huge and is very strong.

They won't discharge us until 'feeding is established'. I have suggested mix feeding and/or expressing and supplementing with that, but have been told no. I'm pissed off that when I was pregnant, it was all 'my choice' about whether or not I breastfed, and now I appear to have no choice.

I am being given lots of help with latching and keeping DS awake for feeds, but I don't know how they define 'established' feeding. By how much weigh he gains?

Any advice on how to get home fast appreciated - I have another little boy thee who needs me!

Just to add, I breastfed my first child for a year so not completely new to this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this!

Do you mean they won't discharge you until you have established BF without expressing or formula? Or do you mean they want you to start on formula only?

Either way it sounds absolutely bonkers and you should start kicking up a major fuss. It is absolutely your choice how to feed your baby.

If you want to mix feed, what's to stop your DH from going out and getting some formula and a bottle? I mean, they can't forcibly stop you, right?

No, they want me to breastfeed. When I suggest expressing or mix feeding, I get 'no, no, there's no need for that - let's give it another 24 hours and establish feeding'

I planned to breastfeed exclusively, as I did with my first baby, but I didn't plan on a slightly prem baby who spent some time in SCBU. I am happy to consider alternatives, but keep being told there is no need. I'm finding this hard as I have another child to consider in all this.

Hi,
I was in nearly the exact same position with DT2 - was 37w3d and admitted to NICU for low blood sugars - he was tube fed what I could express plus top up formula but I refused bottles for him because I wanted to breastfeed and they wouldn't let us leave until breastfeeding was established. He was also really sleepy.

I just tried to get him fed and fed and fed every time he was awake. He kind of 'clicked' on day 3 and we finally went 'cold turkey' from the feeding tube on day 4 and he was ebf from then until 6 months. We made it to 10 months with both DTs altogether.

So only advice is hang in there and keep on feeding!
he best of luck with it

Yes, he can be there for most of the day - they only kick visitors out to do the drug round. He'd be bored rigid though!

There's just been enough drama around his brother's arrival already, I just want to be at home being normal.

I have been very impressed by the support to continue breastfeeding, but frustrated by the way I no longer seem to have much say about it. If I had said I would not breastfeed while pregnant, it would have been accepted. Now I am saying 'I don't think exclusive breastfeeding directly from the breast is working and I want to talk about alternatives' I'm not being listened to.

I have to say, I am really appalled on your behalf.

Even if they have good intentions and even if in the end everything works out, I don't think any woman should ever have to feel like it's no longer her choice on how to feed her baby -- or feel like she's trapped in hospital against her will.

I think you should tell them that one way or another, you are going home tomorrow. Spend the afternoon today lining up sources of BF support at home -- from friends to counsellors, get a list of local BF groups, what have you. Maybe they will be convinced if you can show that you can access just as much support at home plus be in better surroundings.

If they still give you a hard time tomorrow, then I would insist on seeing a doctor to confirm that your baby needs to be in hospital for some medical reason. And make it clear that you will be making a formal complaint if they are keeping you in hospital without a valid medical need.

Well, they have got a medical reason - my baby has lost 12% of his birth weight. That is grounds for hospital admission.

DH says I need to be more assertive - not say I want to discuss alternatives, say 'this is what I want to do'

Your DH is right. He should also be assertive on your behalf.

Low weight is a medical reason. Your choice of feeding is not a medical reason.

It's one thing to say you can't leave until feeding is established, it's something else to say you can't leave until one and only one method of feeding is established.

kickingking, what a difficult first week :(

Babies of this age (36-37 weeks) do sometimes have a prob getting feeding going - then there was the stay in SCBU.

You need to ask them what they mean by 'established' feeding - I'd guess they mean a baby who does not need waking for feeds, and who transfers milk well, and whose weight is on an upwards trajectory. Not sure why a hospital stay is needed to ensure this - if your baby is not ill, then community midwife support should be sufficient.

I don't see why formula or mixed feeding would be any easier at present, to be honest - they seem fairly confident things are getting better, but of course no one can keep you in hospital against your will!