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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Is there any option other than formula if a newborn wont feed and glucose levels are low?

69 replies

Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 13:29

Dsis in hospital after having cs due to her high bp. Baby born on tue and last night they said that as her glucose levels were low that she should have formula. Worried about dd, she did give her a bottle and then dd slept all night.

She really wants to bf but is there anything she can do if glucose levels are low?

OP posts:
DollyPopsOut · 09/08/2007 13:31

I am no expert but could she try to hand express some colostrum and feed the baby
from a cup or her finger if she won't suck?

You need hunker for this I think.

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 13:38

She has been doing that and getting loads. Her dd has also fed but keeps falling asleep.

OP posts:
DollyPopsOut · 09/08/2007 13:39

Just seen hunker on ano thread - bumping for you

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 13:41

What are her glucose levels?

She's been hand expressing - they're feeding the baby the colostrum?

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 13:42

Yes with a syringe (sp?) Been taking it. Think the glucose levels are 2.2. Does that sound right? Is that low?

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 13:44

Not so low that formula needs to be involved, IMO and IME.

What's the highest they've been?

What's the lowest they've been?

When are they doing the heelprick test? How long after she's fed?

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 13:48

Just asking her. Thanks for the help hunkermunker.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 13:52

She said that the levels are going between 2.2 and 3.2.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 13:54

She sounds fine, DH.

Protocol at my hospital was 2.6 and above.

Is she latching on? How often is she feeding? They're not trying to make her wait between feeds or anything mental, are they?

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 13:55

When are they doing the tests? How long after feeds?

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 13:56

And are they suggesting more formula? Has she just had the one bottle?

How many tests have they done and what have the results been?

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 13:56

Sorry, meant to say - protocol was 2.6 and above, but 2.2 is fine for a bf baby from what I've read since.

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 14:09

Says that they do it a specific time after. She cant remember though. She is latching on but will only suck for afew minutes then fall asleep.

Just asking her about how often she is feeding.

OP posts:
HenriettaHippo · 09/08/2007 14:09

I'm no expert either, and Hunker obviously knows about the glucose issue, but you mentioned DD keeps falling asleep while feeding. Isn't this normal in a tiny newborn (esp one born by cs), who will feed for short times very frequently? If Dsis is getting loads from hand expressing, then surely that's brilliant?

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 14:10

What are they saying the baby's levels should be?

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 14:11

HH, yes, normal for a newborn to fall asleep feeding, but more concerning for a baby with blood sugar issues (but 3.2 isn't an issue and there's debate about whether 2.2 is either).

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 14:11

She has only had one ff last night early evening. Been bf today when she can.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 14:12

When was the 3.2 reading?

Sorry am bombarding you with questions!

Congratulations, btw, on your niece!

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 14:15

They said they should be 2.7 and above.

HH, my dd did exactly the same as dsis's and they never mentioned tests for her. I spent the first few weeks trying to get her to wake up to feed!

OP posts:
Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 14:16

Sorry Hunker, dsis is texting me and it is visiting time now. Prob got visitors now so text slowed down.

OP posts:
kerala · 09/08/2007 14:22

I had the same. Emergency c section then baby that would not bf. Dd slept for the first day and would not feed, then the paedatrician said her glucose was too low so I syringed formula into her mouth every 3 hours. I did this for a day and a night. This meant her levels went up.

Doing this gave her enough strength to start bf on day 3. Bf'd her for 11 months after day 3, with no substantive difficulties.

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 14:26

Different protocol then - as I said, my hospital said 2.6 and above and I've seen 2.2 cited as being fine since I came out after having DS1.

hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 14:26

Er, DS2, that would be

Original poster
Dragonhart · 09/08/2007 14:35

Thanks hunker, henritetta and kerala. That has helped. Will pass on what you said. Have to take ds1 out now before he throttles dd2 while trying to give her a 'hug' .

Thanks too to Dolly.

Will let you know how she is getting on.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 09/08/2007 14:37

You're welcome - give her the numbers of the bf supportlines too - they're in my profile