Reflux? Baby not feeding! Please help!

[JoanneandRobbie]

My baby boy is breastfed, he has never accepted a bottle. He is almost 4 months old and since about 8 weeks we have been struggling with breastfeeding. His weight gain is slow and he has dropped from the 75th to the 25th centile. From around 8 weeks he has become increasingly fussy and now he refuses to feed - sometimes once per day other days he’ll only feed a couple of times. He cries, pushes me, throws his head back and kicks his legs. Sometimes he’ll latch for a few minutes then start to fidget and push himself off crying.

I have asked for support and we have been to a feeding clinic twice, he’s had his tongue tie snipped and he’s been taking ranitidine and omeprazole for 4 and 2 weeks respectively. The ranitidine dose has also been increased with his weight. I am now on a dairy free diet in case he has cmpi..

We are now at 16 weeks and there has been some but not much improvement. I’m desperate to restore our breastfeeding relationship but I’m beginning to think there is no light at the end of the tunnel!

I would very much appreciate any advice. Thank you!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If he’s only feeding once or twice in a day are you under a Paed OP? How many times has he fed today and does he show any signs of dehydration?

[JoanneandRobbie]

Today he’s fed twice. He had a little bit during the night and he had a little bit at 8am. That’s it! I see the paediatrician again on Monday. I just feel that we have tried everything... what else could be going on? It’s so difficult for me, I’m constantly having to express as my boobs are so full!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Has the Dairy Free diet helped st all OP?

Has he been checked properly for tongue tie too?

[JoanneandRobbie]

He’s had his tongue tie snipped. We’ve just spent 2 nights in hospital with a tube. He just has no interest in feeding! Too early for solids?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If he’s 4 months there’s absolutely no need for solids yet Joanne. I’ve wait till he’s 6 months, that will give him time to recover and will make Weaning so much easier for you

[JoanneandRobbie]

Is there no need even if he’s not feeding enough to gain weight? He’s been the same weight for 7 weeks!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

There is very little you can give them that has the same calories as milk. Has the tongue tie been checked again to make sure it hasn’t reattached? Have you tried going Dairy Free?

Have you recently seen the Paed? What did they say?

Have you thought about seeing a Lactation Consultant urgently?

[JoanneandRobbie]

We were discharged from hospital yesterday. He was observed feeding and nappies weighed etc. We were seen by 3 paediatricians and the verdict is just that he’s a) extremely fussy b) suffers badly from silent reflux and c) distracted by the world. He’s perfectly healthy otherwise! He never lets himself get dehydrated, he takes just enough to sustain him now but he’s not gaining weight. He can feed perfectly well so I’m sure his tongue tie is no longer an issue. I’ve also been diary free for 3 weeks.

I’m absolutely desperate! Maybe a lactation consultant is the next step? We have seen infant feeding specialists... is this the same thing?

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I’d be careful of anyone advertising themselves as a feeding specialist if they weren’t a registered Lactation Consultant.

Have they found out what’s causing the reflux OP? Is the DF diet helping at all?

[Happygolucky009]

It could be that he is getting frustrated as your milk supply has dropped. If he isn't feeding effectively try expressing every couple of hours for 5- 10 mins and try offering the breast after your let down has come in. Whilst feeding squeeze the breast (think of a big mac) to push the milk thru faster. I would also go somewhere quiet with minimal distractions, a bath is great, to keep him focused. Sounds as though you are doing really well, well done