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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Should I try giving formula ?

21 replies

bensmum3 · 31/10/2006 21:20

I have successfully breastfed 3 children for a year each without using any fomula milk, but dd2 now nearly 7 weeks is causing me to worry that she is still hungry.
she feeds well for a few minutes then pulls away or goes to sleep only to cry a few seconds later, when put back to the breast she can't seem to latch on properly and cries and frets,I seem to be feeding or cuddling upright constantly , you would think I would know whats wrong and how to sort it 4th time round, but I don't and wonder if I should try giving a bottle ? only this too might cause problems as my other 3 were sensitive to dairy products.

OP posts:

lulumama · 31/10/2006 21:25

if you want to carry on b.f...try NCT , La Leche league, breastfeeding counsellor, lactation consultant .before you try formula...... might she have reflux? if it is a question of help latching on..that should be a solveable problem...lots of good b/f support on here

tiktok & mears especially

someone with some more knowledge will be along soon , i'm sure..

VeniVidiVickiQV · 31/10/2006 21:29

My DS was like this (2nd child). It was terribly frustrating and upsetting.

I dont know why he did it, so I dont really have any advice for you. But, he did settle down after a few weeks adn I am still b/feeding him now and he is 19 months.

May it be because your nipples are quite flat (from very full breasts) and she can't latch because of that?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 31/10/2006 21:30

With regard to the allergies - you know better than me probably about introduce formula etc. My DD was/is allergic to cows milk protein but she was fine on Wysoy. Might be worth getting her checked for that.

bramblina · 31/10/2006 21:45

Bensmum I just want to say keep trying, and with the correct help and advice you'll get there in the end. And as you well know it is worth it. I had no problems bfing so can't really help but just wanted to give you some moral support. And well done for bfing 4 babies!

Aitchisforhalloween · 31/10/2006 21:50

all i can add is that if you've successfully bfed 3 children then you have no clue of the hassle and palaver of formula feeding on demand or mix feeding. for that reason, as well as the myriad others, i'd persevere.
was it a difficult birth? i got to a cranial osteopath too late to save my bfing but the woman did mention that the misalignment of my daughter's bones in her mouth wouldn't have helped her to latch on. (not that i even had a difficult birth, by the way). she did that terrible latching on, pulling away, scratching thing so you really have my sympathies.

mammaduck · 31/10/2006 21:54

Formula's not the wonderstuff everyone seems to think it is. It often creates more problems than it solves.

If you want to BF, then as lulu said, seek help from experienced breastfeeding counsellor - get them to observe you feeding as this really helps them to help you!

Good luck!

Original poster

bensmum3 · 31/10/2006 22:16

Thankyou, I will keep trying,she is actually asleep for 5 minutes now in her cot, but its good to have some moral support and know other people have come through, no flat nipples, just very sore,and her birth was induced but very quick, she was small and nearly 4 weeks early.

OP posts:

lulumama · 31/10/2006 22:22

so really she is 3 weeks old! and therefore when she was born,sucking reflex may not have been terribly strong...might be wrong....? do hope you get some support......and can breastfeed her succesfuly....

laundrylover · 31/10/2006 22:22

bensmun3, I found bfing much more difficult second time around and it was thrush that was the culprit. Have a search through messages and see if it rings true. Anyway I still can't get rid of it completely but am still feeding at 7 months so good luck and hope you can work it out.

Original poster

bensmum3 · 31/10/2006 22:59

I felt I had to push to Bf when she was in scbu, tube feeding is obviously more regulated and easier for the staff,she has been Bf only from 3 days old and she has fed well up till now. I got some treatment for thrush, but her mouth cleared before I started the treatment so not convinced thats the cause, but will do a search and see.

OP posts:

laundrylover · 31/10/2006 23:08

It can remain very hidden tho. DD2 never has any sign in her mouth and I just have one sore side with a scabby nipple. I find Grapefruit seed Extract the best for keeping it at bay and have started some herbal tablets called Exspore on MN advice.
Well done for bfing in the early days as I know that SCBUs can be very pro formula.

tiktok · 31/10/2006 23:14

bensmum, get some proper help - not enough info here for me to guage what's going on. What about her weight gain - is that ok? How long has the fretfulness been going on?

Original poster

bensmum3 · 31/10/2006 23:41

Her weight gain has been fine, she was 4,13 at birth and was 6lb.07 12 days ago.This started just a couple of days ago. Iam worried that I might not be producing enough, but i had a squeeze last time she did this and there was still milk there (sorry if tmi).

OP posts:

moondog · 31/10/2006 23:52

Bensmum,hope you get it sorted.
(How could that comment be tmi?? It's what breasts are there to do!!)

I would definitely think about cranial osteopathy.
Also how about ABM helpline??

0870 401 7711

tiktok · 01/11/2006 09:33

Still think you need to see someone face to face who can watch you feed, if only to boost your confidence, bensmum. Weight gain is indeed fine, but she needs to make up for lost growth time in utero, so frequent feeding would be normal.

Original poster

bensmum3 · 01/11/2006 09:43

Thankyou tiktok, I will investigate whether there is anyone locally I could see, but I doubt it as we live in a very rural situation. Do you know if raised BP and medication for it can affect milk supply ?

OP posts:

Miaou · 01/11/2006 09:58

bensmum, sorry you are having trouble feeding dd. I know just how little help there is out there too!!

Is it possible for you to come away for a couple of days and see the bf counsellor at the Belford? She is lovely, really helpful, gave me a lot of help and confidence feeding ds after such a long gap.

Jelley · 01/11/2006 10:09

the breastfeeding network drugline may be able to help wrt bp medication...

AitchTwoOh · 01/11/2006 12:00

i'm reluctant to tell you this but in my case i was on beta-blockers and the specialist bfing unit i accessed said that in their experience (ie there is no research to back this up whatsoever) high BP/BP medication seem to have an effect on supply in some women. they know, because they see the women come through the door waving their beta-blockers.
that said, your supply can't be bad, really. you should ask about domperidone if you are concerned about it. some docs will prescribe it to aid lactation. and all the usuals, fenugreek, guinness etc help.
i'd definitely ask about seeing a counsellor, bensmum.

Original poster

bensmum3 · 02/11/2006 08:55

Hi Miaou , Not really practical to go away tomorrow as its dd1 weekend home this week and its her birthday. I will definately look at the link, thankyou, oh and dh going shopping today, so I'll ring him and add guiness to the list.
miaou, would she discuss it over the phone do you think ?

OP posts:

MiaOUCHthatHURT · 02/11/2006 14:37

I am sure she would bensmum - if you would like me to give her a call first then I would happily do so. Or ring the Belford Maternity Unit and ask to speak to Ishy Corrigan about bf, then she will call you I'm sure. (Tell her I told you to ring her!)

Forgot it was dd1's birthday! Of course you'll be a bit busy.

Have you tried skin-to-skin contact to encourage feeding? Strip dd2 down to her nappy and take your top off (cover up with a blanket to keep warm). Not tried it myself but it can help I've heard.

Will give you a call after the weekend - or ring me if you want to, I'm around most of the time - just to give you a bit of moral support!

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