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Infant feeding

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

struggling to bf dc2

12 replies

helloitsme · 27/12/2013 21:27

My ds was at 50th percentile at birth and again at 6 Weeks. I didn't weigh him in between for various reasons and at 15 Weeks he had dropped to the 25th percentile. I feel awful, my son has been hungry! I bf dc1 no problems so I am shocked. He often often cries when I put him to the breast and I wonder if he has reflux. I saw the doctor today to ask her and she said I should express and give him a bottle to see how much he is drinking. She says by now my milk supply may be in jeopardy and I may need to ff. This is so not an option I want, but I don't want a hungry ds either! Is it possible my milk supply is so low and can it be increased enough to feed him? Also, if I feed him a lot will he climb back up the percentiles? And what (natural) things can I do about reflux? Or will gaviscone help? I fed DD1 until she was more than two, so I'll be devastated If I have to give up now. any advice very gratefully received.

OP posts:
Aquariusgirl86 · 27/12/2013 21:44

I think if you have milk it's very do-able to boost your supply, I used to add in a few extra pumps with dc1 (she was exclusively fed on expressed milk as wouldn't bf) she was on the 75th at birth and dropped to the 50th at 3 months but picked up again by 5 months, think those charts are based on ff children (so the hv said). Think you can take fenugreek and eat certain foods? And if all ejse fails I think the doctor can prescribe tablets? (Hv started talking about this when I was feeding my 98th centile baby!)
Don't worry there are lots of people to help, have you been to any fb support groups? They often know more than other health professionals Grin

WaitingForPeterWimsey · 27/12/2013 22:28

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WaitingForPeterWimsey · 27/12/2013 22:28

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Midori1999 · 27/12/2013 23:06

I don't think your doctor has given good advice tbh, did she even say anything about the reflux? Can you seek a second opinion?

Dropping one centile line isn't necessarily a problem though, but if you feel you'd like to do something then you can offer more feeds. It doesnt mean your baby has been hungry though, so please dont think that. What did the HV say?

Midori1999 · 27/12/2013 23:08

Oh, and you haven't done anything wrong by not having your baby weighed either. I've never really had mine weighed after the HV has done the 6 week check. In fact, this time the HV specifically told me I didn't need to get him weighed until his four month immunisations unless I was worried/felt there was a problem.

MummyWeatherwax · 28/12/2013 00:56

I think you've been given pretty poor advice by your doctor.
First, dropping one centile is no reason to be concerned, it is commonplace, because the lines are based on an average, and individuals vary. Some will grow faster, some slower. All normal and healthy. Usually crossing two centiles would be the point to worry.

Secondly, there's nothing in your post that would give a reason to assume your milk supply is low at all, never mind in jeopardy - it makes me angry that you were told that. At fifteen weeks of feeding a baby enough to grow on the 25th line, you probably have a good, established supply.
Does he seem alert? Happy? Pooing and peeing? These are the signs of a well fed baby - he would have let you know if he was hungry, by being listless, sleeping lots, not pooing, not to mention crying.

Third, giving a bottle of expressed milk will give no information whatsoever about how much he takes in a feed. He could take less, as he might like it less than from mum, or more because bottles are easy to get milk from, you can't tell. Nor does what you can express indicate how much milk is there - some ebfing mums can't express a drop, it's totally different to a baby feeding. Bad advice, which shows a lack of knowledge about bfing. (the same goes for giving ebm after a feed - even a full baby will often take some from a bottle, it's a reflex to having a teat in their mouth)

If you are worried, (because your not very well informed doctor has made you worried Angry) all you need to do is offer feeds more regularly. If he wants more, your supply will soon adjust, without drugs, herbs, anything. He may not want more though.

If he is refluxy, formula can make it worse, as the proteins are harder to digest, and usually things like keeping him upright after a feed are introduced before trying any medicines.

What would you have said about his growth/development/eating before you saw this doctor?

helloitsme · 28/12/2013 10:43

Thanks all, it's nice to have some positive comments after the doctor visit. Thanks for the links too.
The thing is, sometimes it is very difficult to get him to take a feed. He appears hungry but then I offer him a breast and he cries like anything. In fact,.offering breast seems like a way to make hun very often. Or he'll take a very short feed and then cry. Previously I was assuming this meant he was not hungry, so I just walked with him and he went to sleep, but now I think maybe he was hungry but has some problem feeding. He has had fewer nappies etc and maybe slept more, not sure about that. Anyway, now I am trying to persevere when he cries to get him to have milk. Sometimes it seems ridiculous as he seems to not want it, because he cries, but usually in the end he will take milk and then he seems more content and will take more milk and is happier afterwards. He also vomits which is why I think it could be reflux but am not sure. Doctor asked no interest in this but did give me gaviscone when I repeatedly asked about it. She also told me bf just doesn't work for some children and I should accept that. It's a relief to hear your other views!

OP posts:
MummyWeatherwax · 28/12/2013 21:26

I'm glad to hear you feel able to push through. It may be, from what you say, that you have a fast let down, it can lead to struggles at the breast, but I think you really ought to contact the national breast feeding helpline. 0300 100 0212.

They will be able to look at everything about your feeding in more detail than we can online, and help you get back on an even keel.

Good luck!

helloitsme · 28/12/2013 23:46

Thanks. I will call them tomorrow.

OP posts:
easterbaby · 29/12/2013 12:25

The charts are based on healthy bf babies (they changed a few years ago.) IME anxiety can affect supply so OP, I hope you can stay relaxed. Sounds like weaning to solids isn't far off, which will give your LO a calorie boost. Good luck. x

easterbaby · 29/12/2013 12:28

Sorry, just realised from your post that your LO is 15 weeks (I had 5 mths in my head.) Plenty of wet/dirty nappies are the most reliable way to check baby's getting enough.

crikeybadger · 29/12/2013 12:56

Cripes that GP is really lacking in bfing knowledge, Angry I wonder how many other mothers she has practically told to give up breastfeeding.

A one centile drop is nothing to worry about but you might like to get advice about the crying and fussing at the breast, agree with others to give the helplines a call.

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