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Infant feeding

Formula for weight gain and reflux

33 replies

blue2014 · 12/04/2017 16:42

DS is breatfed, 18 weeks but loosing weight due to reflux (I think). Health visitor has said I can try supplementing with formula. Can anyone recommend one?

I tried asking health visitor, they aren't allowed to recommend, so I tried asking the formula companies direct but they aren't allowed to recommend one either!! It's driving me crazy!

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 23:07

Thank you

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DimpleDumpling · 12/04/2017 22:43

When dd was tiny she wasn't feeding well and lost a lot of weight, we tried the ready made hipp organic to supplement and she started gaining weight. Ignore all the bs of breast is best, fed is best so who cares if its formula if it's helping.

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 21:53

He currently won't take a bottle but will take a from a syringe (used to taking reflux meds) so if I start by adding regular additional feeds through that?

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Chamomiletea · 12/04/2017 21:18

And yes to bog standard formula top ups - thats if he takes a bottle?

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Chamomiletea · 12/04/2017 21:15

I noticed my eldest child's poo most resembled his breastmilk poo when on goats milk formula

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FATEdestiny · 12/04/2017 21:13

I didn't mean to be harsh, I know its tough 🌼

I wouldn't start jumping to assumptions on allergies and intolerance just yet. The simplest answer is often the right one. Baby may simply need bog-standard, normal formula top ups.

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 21:03

Thanks FATE I'll get some tomorrow - I'm not at all precious about BF - happy to give him whatever helps

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FATEdestiny · 12/04/2017 21:00

I'll be very clear here. A baby losing weight is being starved.

This is a different ball game to a baby dropping centiles. Lots of parents (esp breastfeeding parents) have experience of babies with slow weight gain who drop centiles. But actually losing weight really should not happen.

Baby is not getting the calories he needs to even grow, let alone anything else. This is very worrying and I make no apologies for being very to the point in anything this.

I speak as a mum who EBF two children, then DC3 came along and perpetually lost weight. I knew what I was doing. I felt DC3 was breastfeeding fine. But he was being starved before my eyes.

Realising that your baby's health is far more important than your precious feelings on breastfeeding is an important step.

I'd recommend just buying any ready-made formula you can find in your local supermarket. Give it regularly for a week and see the effects. You may not need non-cows milk formula, you do by know that yet. Just get calories into your baby.

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 20:57

I've just found several high calorie formulas online. Going to see if GP will prescribe one

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 20:46

The GP knows, the paediatric department know, the health visitor knows. To be honest neither GP nor 3 health visitors I've spoken to are overly concerned and say this is common with reflux babies (and he is on 45th centile so not tiny I guess) it's just he's my boy and I want to help him

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Heirhelp · 12/04/2017 20:44

10 weeks seems like a long referral for a baby who is losing weight? When you get a copy of the referral letter you can ring and try and badger then for a early date. Maybe even try PALS to see if they can help.

Have you tried just going to bed and with your baby and feeding, feeding and feeding?

If gaviscon is not helping then I don't see how formula would help. Reflux milk is just a thicker version of normal formula but Gaviscon makes everything much thicker anyway.

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Nan0second · 12/04/2017 20:43

Goats milk is too similar to cows milk in terms of the protein so won't help IF cows milk protein allergy is the problem

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Nan0second · 12/04/2017 20:42

You need to go back to your GP and tell them he is loosing weight. 10weeks is too long to wait for paeds in these circumstances.
Consider cutting dairy and soy out of your diet as cmpi often links with severe reflux.

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 20:39

He's on rantitadine (and gaviscon as of a few days ago)

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 20:38

Actually loosing weight (not loads but from 13 to 16 weeks lost a couple of ounces rather than gained or maintained and last week lost 4 ounces)?

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Heirhelp · 12/04/2017 20:36

What meds is your lo on? Are they actually losing weight or dropping down the %?

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 17:48

I did Smile good to know

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ispymincepie · 12/04/2017 17:30

Take a look at the reviews on that link too!

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 17:29

Thank you, will look into nannycare and hipp next week after breastfeed clinic

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ispymincepie · 12/04/2017 17:25

The NannyCare is an approved infant formula. I'm not advocating raw unpasteurised goats milk although I know some people swear by it. All cows milk formula is essentially the same as pp has said but personally I think the NannyCare is closer to human milk, it certainly smells and tastes more like it.

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NutellaCookie · 12/04/2017 17:22

If you do decide to supplement with formula, Hipp organic is good for refluxy babies. It's really gentle.

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blue2014 · 12/04/2017 17:19

Thanks will keep on with breast feeding for now then and see how we go

GP prescribed reflux meds

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Craftycakey15 · 12/04/2017 17:14

Have you seen a doctor about the reflux? It could be due to milk allergy?

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donkir · 12/04/2017 17:11

It's harder to digest and causes constipation.

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