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Infant feeding

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

Bfing problems with reflux baby

14 replies

2labs · 14/10/2006 16:27

Ds (10 wks) has got more and more wriggly and upset at the breast over the last few weeks and often comes off red-faced and crying when he clearly hasn't finished. He is on infant gaviscon (given by spoon after feeds) after our gp suggested he may have reflux, and this has somewhat helped him after feeds, but obviously doesn't help during them. I think a lot of it is to do with positioning as I just can't get him upright enough/spine in a straight line as recommended for reflux. I have ordered a special nursing pillow which is supposed to support him at a good angle, but he takes a bottle much more easily and I'm wondering if I should go that route of mostly or totally expressing his feeds. It's got to the point in the past couple of days where bfing is distressing for both of us and takes ages with all the coming off/crying/being held upright for a while/going back on etc.
My questions: would expressing be a good idea in this situation? At the moment I do it once a day or once every two days depending on when he goes long enough between feeds for me to produce enough. The most I've ever got is 4oz and more often it's about 2oz, so will it ever be feasible to pump enough? If not, what else can I do except go on to formula?

OP posts:
fortyplus · 14/10/2006 21:36

The more you do it the more milk you'll produce so you need to perservere. Bottle is easier for all babies so he's probably cross about the effort it takes to bf. Did you start the bottle before bf was well established (ie prob about 4 wks) If so you might be fighting a losing battle. Bf was a long time ago for me but I think the only way you'd be able to continue will be if you stop the bottle altogether for a while. Keep up the expressing though - it'll stimulate production & if you've got a good milk supply it'll be easier for ds & he'll be more enthusiastic. You can always freeze it for another time.

kamikayzed · 14/10/2006 22:33

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angel01 · 14/10/2006 22:36

hi ya. i ahve a reflux baby also and it was pure hell in the early weeks. i would sya the same keep expressing don't give up! i didn't despite wanting to and now i am soooo glad i didn't. it will get better believe me, my baby is now 4 months and the refulx has almost gone. just perhaps try expressing a little each day, it will start stimulating your milk and you'll produce more. try not to do it if you're stressed or upset as that will not get any out at all
good luck! xxxxxxxxxx

kamikayzed · 14/10/2006 22:38

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2labs · 15/10/2006 11:08

thanks everyone - fortyplus, he first had bottles in hospital due to a big weight loss as he wouldn't latch on or suck for a few days, so maybe that's made it worse. Just as I felt we'd cracked it with the bfing he started with the wriggling and reflux symptoms got worse. He didn't really have any symptoms until 5 wks old (apart from being very colicky from 3 wks) - did anyone else's lo's reflux not start right from birth?

I think I will keep expressing but not bottle feed him for a while and see what that does. It's great to hear from others with the same problems - starts to get you down when he's waking 6 or 7 times a night.

OP posts:
2labs · 15/10/2006 11:08

thanks everyone - fortyplus, he first had bottles in hospital due to a big weight loss as he wouldn't latch on or suck for a few days, so maybe that's made it worse. Just as I felt we'd cracked it with the bfing he started with the wriggling and reflux symptoms got worse. He didn't really have any symptoms until 5 wks old (apart from being very colicky from 3 wks) - did anyone else's lo's reflux not start right from birth?

I think I will keep expressing but not bottle feed him for a while and see what that does. It's great to hear from others with the same problems - starts to get you down when he's waking 6 or 7 times a night.

OP posts:
2labs · 15/10/2006 11:09

oops

OP posts:
kamikayzed · 15/10/2006 13:02

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angel01 · 15/10/2006 13:35

hi ya again

just letting you know it will ease up and get better! please don't let it get you down as the reflux is something they'll grow out of in their own time.
my baby had it so bad she was vomiting blood where the stomach acid literally eroded her lining in her throat as it came up!
she's perfectly fine now after 9 weeks of hell. so it will get better i promise.
xxx

kamikayzed · 15/10/2006 14:22

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fortyplus · 16/10/2006 09:37

Hi 2labs - interested to hear your ds was given bottle in hospital - the same thing happened to me - my ds1 had gone from birth weight 9lb8oz to 7lb12oz in 10 days! Fortunately I had v supportive midwife who arranged for me to borrow 'Daisy' a milking machine that sucked your nipples so hard you wouldn't believe it! That's the heart of the problem - baby not taking much = reduced production so it gets harder & harder for you both. Keep expressing to stimulate the flow and eventually it'll get easier. Well done for keeping up with bf despite the problems - but if you end up having to give up don't feel guilty - you've tried really hard and apparently the first 12 weeks are the most important so you're nearly there xx

smilingpolitely · 09/11/2006 11:40

Hi 2labs, Are you still watching this thread? anyone else? I need advice re very similar , not sure if need to start new thread, found this one whilst searching for help. Thanks

tiktok · 09/11/2006 11:49

smiling, start a new thread. This one is quote 'old' in mumsnet terms

smilingpolitely · 09/11/2006 12:11

Thanks tiktok, will do

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