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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Will I be reported if I refused to put Callum on formula??

321 replies

sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 16:31

The SCBU nurse just phoned me and said that if Callum hasn't gained weight in 2 weeks, I have to put him onto formula. Apparently the consultant has said this.
I have 30 bottles of high engery formula here which I still haven't given to him (am supposed to topup with 30ml once a day via the feeding tube) but I really really don't want him to have formula...
If we refuse, will be reported to SS for not doing the right thing??

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Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:26

he isn't in hospital he has been home since 5th oct. He has only gained 400g since then, but they seem to forget that he didn't gain for the first 10 days, as we were not topping up, tube had been removed prior to his discharge. Alsio we had 4 days here and there where the tube was removed to see if he could gain without it.

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LadyVictoriaOfCakeThe2nd · 22/11/2007 17:27

is it viable to put an extra bit of EBM down the tube each time? or small tube feeds more frequently. or will this interfere too much with his main feeds.

NAB3littlemonkeys · 22/11/2007 17:27

Is the problem that he isn't feeding as often as you would like/feel he should, or is he feeding loads but not gaining the weight?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:28

He has reflux, which has only started in the last few weeks, so he does throw up his feeds, but only small amounts. When he was on formula in SCBU he would throw up huge amounts.

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NAB3littlemonkeys · 22/11/2007 17:29

He sounds such a love. I only wish I could help.

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:29

he feeds lots, but isn't gaining. I need some support from professionals..

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Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:31

well his gains aren't enough for the professionals.

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Hekate · 22/11/2007 17:31

Could you not express constantly to build up a supply of ebm to give him little and often? And then whenever you top up, it is with ebm, not formula.

Are they saying your breast milk will not nourish him as much as their formula?

Buda · 22/11/2007 17:35

Just looked at your profile - he is the image of your DH! (And - I don't want this to sound wrong - but he's gorgeous - Calum that is!)

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:35

yes basically.

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Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:36

lol buda, i think so too..

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Camillathechicken · 22/11/2007 17:37

are they looking at why he is gaining slowly and minimally.. surely that is more important than whether he is on formula or not?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:39

they don't want to do tests in case its my milk that is crap. my other children managed well on bm

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 22/11/2007 17:39

I'm so annoyed for you sparkly. They want him to have more calories, fair enough - he can have more by them giving you something to fortify your EBM just for the top-ups. It's not feckin rocket science and I can't see why they won't do this for you.

Camillathechicken · 22/11/2007 17:40

they don;t want to do tests? then demand it.. if they are going to get you to the point that you are scared SS are going to be called, but they won;t do tests, then that is terrible.

if your BM was good enough for the other children, surely that indicates a possibility there is an issue that needs looking at?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:40

i was told that they give anything to fortified EBM anymore

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NAB3littlemonkeys · 22/11/2007 17:40

It is highly unlikely that your BM is crap. Why don't they just do the tests?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:41

won't give anything, sorry tubefeeding atm.

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NineUnlikelyTales · 22/11/2007 17:45

Sparklygothkat you are being treated really badly and I am [angry ] on your behalf. There is no reason your EBM would be rubbish and if they want to give your DS artificial products that are known not to be as good for your DS as EBM, then it is only reasonable that they exclude any other causes for poor weight gain (assuming it is poor) first.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 22/11/2007 17:45

Why not I wonder - 'cos it's easier to bully you in formula feeding.

They give it to babies with health problems who need more calories - why not prem babies?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:47

he does BF too, we topup after the feed with EBM.

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 22/11/2007 17:49

BLISS still refer to fortifiers on their website too.

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:50

can I get them from the GP??

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BabiesEverywhere · 22/11/2007 17:50

As breastmilk is higher in calories than formula. If they want more calories in your son, logically breastmilk would work better than normal formula. (In a healthy full term baby might be different in your case, as your DS was premature.)

Maybe you could compare the calorie level in the high energy formula, to the information on this page...i.e. Per oz Breastmilk has an average of 22 kcal, this can range between 13 and 35 kcal/oz
Milk

Sorry to hear you are being pushed into something you are not happy with. I hope things work out for you.

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 22/11/2007 17:51

Dh is getting stressed too, he just doesn't know what to say to me. I am nearly in tears at the thought of giving up BF.

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