Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Bf 10mo old. Have no idea where to go from here

4 replies

ipswichwitch · 06/08/2012 11:44

DS was ebf until weaning at 6 months. Struggled to get him to take solids, then 3 weeks ago was admitted with severe anaemia, which apparently he had from birth but we were unaware of. He had no symptoms apart from being pale. Recently he has had gastroenteritis and a nasty virus last week.

He has always bf well despite all this, and the drs tell me now his anaemia is being treated his appetite should increase as he'll have the energy to eat properly. So far they are right but the last few nights he has been bf every 1.5-2hrs and v frequently through the day. He won't settle without bf and gets hysterical if I try. He also has started biting me during feeds (teething) and this morning am at the end of my tether.

MIL trying to help keeps insisting I stop bf altogether, which I'm not happy to do (want to continue til he's 1). Yes I agree with her that all this is making me extremely tired and frankly ill, but feel there has to be some other way forward. She has always stated stopping bf is the solution to any issues we've had btw, and really doesn't understand it at all. DS has always been a poor sleeper but about a month ago settled himself into the perfect (IMO) routine of last feed at 11 then waking at 5. This was until he became ill, and I feel that since we had that routine before , we can achieve it again.

I know he's recovering from a lot and it may take some time, but surely stopping bf altogether can't be the only option can it??

OP posts:
MigGril · 06/08/2012 12:34

No it certainly isn't. but a your DS has been ill and things are a bit more complicated then just a straight forward feeding issue I think seeking some more professional real life support.

You could start by contacting one of the breastfeeding helplines. A chat to the infant feeding coordinator at your local hospital could be another option. Hopefully your HV should be able to put you in touch.

It could be that as you lo has been ill and not feeding so well that he's now trying to catch up. So feeding more often in order to do this. You could try Co-sleeping, in order to get some more rest until things settle down.

ipswichwitch · 06/08/2012 15:02

Thanks migGril. We did cosleep last night which helps to an extent. I think you're right and it's not just a straightforward feeding issue. I've spoken to the HV and she's happy with his solid intake and also thinks its more to do with the health issues he has going on- that he's still recovering ad teething, which certainly doesn't help. She's getting back to me with a bf counsellor number too.

It's just MILs answer to everything is switch to formula which is another issue in itself. I just get to a point where I'm too tired and start thinking maybe I'm wrong and should just do as she says but my gut tells me no. She also doesn't believe the food for fun til they're 1 thing.

Fwiw the HV thinks I'm tackling this the right way which has made me feel a bit better too, and this may be a few days or so of restlessness an bad sleep

OP posts:
MigGril · 06/08/2012 22:15

Sounds like your getting some great support from your HV.

Maybe try setting less of your Mil for now. Practice the smile and nod approach. Or maybe just tell her you're HV is happy and has told you there is no need to switch to formula.

Your doing a fab job and its great your lo is on the mend.

Purplevi · 07/08/2012 00:17

Go with your heart, go to your happy place when mil speaks. Bf is always going to be better than ff and your baby will lose all the comfort and security he gets when bf with you. Can you imagine tearing that away when he has been ill?. You know best, don't forget la leche league for bf support.
Co sleeping makes numerous night feeds so much easier.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread