Low supply, refusing bottle

[alittlehelp]

My baby is 3 months old, ebf. Had fallen through 2 centiles and in the last week has lost weight. I was told yesterday that his feeding looks inefficient (not sucking/swallowing hard enough). His feeds have been very long (hr+). This now seems to have reduced my supply. I've been told to express 8-10 times per day and feed via bottle instead of breastfeeding.

My baby has so far refused a bottle, have tried both ebm and formula. Also, he cries when put down and only sleeps on me. I am getting 3 hrs broken sleep in each 24. I have an older child. I am panicking and have no idea how I can do this. I want to just supplement with formula but he won't take it. I am feeling ill and crying most of the day. Husband working long hours and baby won't settle for him anyway.

What do I do? Any wisdom appreciated!

I would suggest trying different teets/bottles to see if he'll take a different type. We use Mam anti colic bottles and they are good (if a bit if a pain to clean because of the number of parts)
You could also try feeding using a cup perhaps? Look up cup feeding method; we used this in hospital to supplement our newborn so suppose it could work for older baby too?

Regarding supply you should also get fenugreek and blessed thistle supplements as well as eating oats. When you express or feed use the compression method to get more out. Google "Stanford newborn compression" and you should be able you find the video. It talks about premature babies but it works for anyone.

This might also help your LO get more out whilst on the breast if you use compression, but some babies don't like it.

Best of luck!

This sounds very similar to my son who was diagnosed with a posterior tongue tie. We had it snipped at 9 weeks and by 14 weeks, he is now gaining weight well, spacing out feeds and sleeping much better.

Unlike anterior tongue ties, posterior ties are much harder to diagnose and ours was spotted by a specialist at the hospital feeding support group. Midwives, health visitors and a consultant at the jaundice clinic all failed to spot it.

If you can hire a hospital grade breast pump from medela, they could deliver by Monday and are really good, 15 minutes for both boobs. Fenugreek worked for me although not for a friend.

I can only imagine how awful this must all feel. ds also refused a bottle but only for a few days. I was so exhausted it affected my mental health. It sounds even more challenging for you. You are doing amazingly.

NUK bottle with latex teat is meant to be amazing for mixed feeding. We are just starting with it.

Maybe also try different formula? Buy a few of the little cartons from different brands and see if he'll take one more than the others.

Have you looked int using a supplemental nursing system. I’ve heard very positive things about them
m.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCitroQDvk

As you probably know breast feeding is a supply and demand situation. More frequent feeds and pumping are good starts, also try and decrease any stress, take some quiet time if possible, drink Healthy nursing tea. It helped me a lot.

Thanks all for the suggestions, lots of good ideas to try