Adviced to express all feeds and give via bottle..help?

[smilingpolitely]

Please help.. ds 11weeks old (dd1 8yrs, dd2 4yrs) has a torticollis ( squiffy neck ) which means he finds it very very hard to look to his left. He has been referred for physio and we are waiting for appt. He also has reflux and has been getting really distressed with it for the last few weeks. We were seen in hospital this week for advice. Ranitidine was added to gaviscon which he was already having. We were also adviced to bottle feed because of this and his neck problem. I have been expressing every feed since and giving it via bottle. He is very much more settled but I'm suffering! It's very hard/time consuming esp with two other children to be there for. Has anyone else done this? I know the easy option is to use formula but I don't want to. I've ordered a double pump to help cut the time aspect down. Just hoping for some kind words I suppose and any tales of similar.

I haven't myself, but I do know women who've exclusively pumped for several months or even up to a year. I know that it's very hard and I take my hat off to them (and you).

How long is the wait for physiotherapy?

Hi - double electric breastpump will make life abit easier Well done for persavearing (SP??) though!!

Thanks I don't know how long the wait is. GP referred him last week and hosp consultant also put a referral through this week, so soon I hope.

I've tried him back on the boob since, hoping its the medicine that's made the difference not the bottles but he just gets cross. Have I blown any chances of getting him to feed from me again after physio?

if you want to encourage him back to the boob you could try a bit of milk on the nipple to remind him

I know a little bit about relactation (getting back on boob) if it gets further on

Thanks Cappuccino I might need it. The double pump has just arrived Yippee Guess what I'm off to do.. I know too much information

I exclusively expressed for a year for my dd as she never latched on. I had a double pump which made my life much easier. It is hard work (as I'm sure you know) so I take my hat off to you as this was my first child!
There is an Easy Expression bra which you can get from www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk which might make life easier for you - means handfree expressing. I'm expecting number 2 any day now and if this one doesn't latch then I will be buying one.
Also there's lots of tips of the Expressing Clique thread (which you should be able to find under the Breast & Bottle feeding).
Hope this helps!

Hi Shivs1974, Glad to hear its possible! I've got the bra thingy and tried it this afternoon with the new pump. I managed ok but did it again just now and DD1 thought it was histerical, dh just raised his eyebrows but knows better than to actually laugh/comment! I suppose we will get used to it. At least I stand a chance of being able to plait their hair etc in the morning. I really hope they don't tell their school friends about it

Shiv, lol found the expressing clique thread and a link to kellymom. There are pictures of handsfree expressing using hair bands attached to your bra! Its not glamorous this lark is it!

Hi smilingpolitely (good name btw ). Glad your ds is more settled now; hope he continues to improve. You have my sympathy - I know how horrible it is to have your ds so distressed when you're trying to feed him the good stuff!

I noticed you posted on my old thread about my bfing problems and reflux. Since then I have got a special nursing pillow, wedge-shaped, which keeps ds much more upright during feeding and seems to have reduced the amount of wriggling and crying that he does, though he still does it a bit - it's more manageable now though. He has just been prescribed ranitidine as well, and we're starting it tomorrow... sorry to hijack slightly but do you think it made any difference to your ds and if so how long did it take?

Have you thought about consulting a lactation consultant? I am thinking that perhaps if the little chap is having trouble turning his head to latch on then maybe different holds/positions may help - so you could do normal hold on one side and then something else like football hold on the other? Seems a shame to have to express ALL feeds unless he really can't latch on at all. Exclusive pumping IS harder work than "regular" breastfeeding - I know 'cos I've done it. Perhaps la leche league could help if they have those here or the association of breastfeeding mothers ABM - just thinking maybe the physio is not a breastfeeding expert? Good luck - hope the physio helps

Hi 2labs glad things are better for you We started ranitidine on Tuesday this week. ds is great now compared to before but don't know if its that or bottles or gaviscon mixed with EBM rather than given afterwards. Intuition says its the ranitidine. That said ds is unfortunately happy with bottles, I think he gets stroppy when milk does come initially and then slows down after let down. I snuck in a breast feed this afternoon, couldn't help myself He did okish much less fussing than pre ranitidine. Good idea about bf counsellor.

Smiling,good on you girl!

My little nephew had torticollis but fortunately didn't affect b/feeding.

My sister did her exercises with him religiously and now at 3 there is no problem at all.

Thanks everyone for the support

Ds has refused breast each time I've tried today, might just be happier with bottles. I think your right krimbokayzed i might have to do some formula feeds especially first thing. ds woke up before I had had time to express.

Question for anyone.. ameda lactaline double pump .. says its to be dry before use but its very wet from steam sterilizer. The bumf on sterilizers says stuff only sterile if kept in them. Do I ignore this and take the stuff out and let it air dry.

Just seen this....I know what you mean about if you keep it in the steriliser for too long then it gets really wet. I would sterilise my Lactaline just before I needed to use it - allow it to cool for a few mins & then brave my hands into the steriliser......Hope this helps and makes some sense!

Hi Shivs sorry this thread sort of fell off my list! Thats a really good idea thanks. I rang the company and they said just dry it with kitchen towel cos the whole sterile thing is a bit OTT.
Major breakthro today fingers and toes crossed I went to the BF clinic yesterday and they couldn't get him to stop crying either and suggested Colief. He has been a different baby today i'm thrilled and really hope it lasts. (haven't given him the other meds today either cos they weren't making any difference)