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

[sparklygothkat]

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??

I have no idea CM. I think the SCBUnurse is getting fed up with coming out to us now, and wants to discharge us, and its easier to do if he is gaining weight better

I am sure the feeding advisor will help you - let us know how you get on

In my hospital the SCBU staff would have contacted the specialist feeding advisor in a case like this.

Really surprised you haven't been put in touch with her by the SCBU staff TBH

if Callum has put on 14.1oz (400g) in 6 weeks that is great dd was full term bf baby born 8lb5oz she only put on 17.9oz in the first 6 weeks and she wasnt sick at all no reflux problems like your tiny and yummy ds!
so you pair are doing fantastic job working well with feeding and weight gain so dont listen

Is he hungry tonight? Maybe just having some seconds?
Keep up the hard work and hope you get some proper support soon.

thanks girls, he is hungry again so going to give him another feed, and then settle him to bed.

hi sparkly.
firstly, sorry you are having such a terrible time still the stress cannot be helping at all.

I'm sure this has been said already by the wise mums on here, but I was going to suggest feeding more regularly than 3 hours.

Heres my experience: My dd was little and prem. she went down to under 4.5 lbs with a huge weight loss when she was still in NNU.

I was feeding 3 hourly, then on demand. Her 'demand' was not enough, so i expressed very regularly, and fed her every 2 hours, then topped her up via NGT. I just fed from one side at a time, and expressed from the other post feed. It DID mean i was almost constantly doing it, and I know you have other children, but it may be the only way for a little while...

Isobel started gaining weight, slowly, but adequately. Have you considered breast feeding him, 2 hourly and topping him up with formula towards the end of the feed, or just after via his tube? I know you dont want to FF, but this way you are still bf, every feed... and they may back off if he gets a boost in weight... and then you cold stop?

Just an idea, I know not what you want, but maybe a little compromise just for a week or two. YOu will also not harm your milk supply if you still feed this reguarly, and if he doesnt feed for long, then express as well.

It was the only way i could get her gaining in the NNU. I exclusively bf until nearly 6 months and have no intention of stopping yet, and she is a gorgeous 10 month old girl. She is still on the small side, but sitting on the same point on those bloody development charts. She is eating well now, solids and breast feeding.

irony being, she wont take formula nor will she take a bottle even with EBM and at times, i'd love to be able to have a day to rest ( have probs with pain) and I cant give her to mum for the day! I was so desperate that i would bf her, and had such a tricky start, i cannot bare to think of not doing it now!

Hope some of that helps, sorry it went on so long!

good luck.

ps I am also a NNU nurse, when not on adult ward... oh, well, when i was working just before isobel was born!

pps ... Just wante to add a huge WELL DONE for getting on a swell as you are, and with other children too, I dont know HOW you cope really i dont! I just wish there was more support for you.

keep it all up, and good luck. thinking of you and that gorgeous little man of yours!

wanders off wondering if he might be interested in meeting a pretty little strawberry blonde girl in a few years...

susie!! she is beautiful!!

i think the only option is to feed him every 1-2 hours now..

thank you very much!

I always read your name as " sparkly the goat ' for some reason

lol susie!!

Sparkly, I have an unused Medela bag 'n' tube arrangement that you stick to your breast for feeding EBM. No idea whether it would help in your situation, but it's yours if you want it.

So sorry you're going through this.

berolina, have no idea how that works, but am willing to try anything.

just remembered that the scbu nurse said previously that he is suppose to gain between 5-7oz a week, so now she has changed that.

Hello

Haven't read through all the posts, but just wondered if there was a donor milk bank available in your area - it may be a compromise that is acceptable to you and the docs. If there is a decent supply, then they will try and match the age of the donor's baby with your own.
Good luck.

Susie, Callum is gaining weight though - just an ounce less than, I presume, protocol demands.

SGK - the specialist at the hospital will know about supplementer kits (if that is what is needed). Hope you get her today - they often work part-time.

Please do call.

You are doing SUCh a good job btw.

I once saw a breastfed baby that wasn't thriving - she was grey and floppy and she did not look WELL. She was NOT alert and jiggling around. I think you would KNOW if there was something WRONG.

Good luck, I hope things work out.

he isn't grey, floppy or unreponsive. He is alert and lively.

Sparkly, apologies if you have mentioned all of this before, but what is the reason for Callum not gaining as much weight as they would like? Not taking enough milk, or not absorbing the nutrients properly?

If it's not absorbing the nutrients, have you asked if there is a supplement that can be added to your EBM?

Although, tbf it sounds as if he's gaining weight really well. If he is still gaining and not losing, you are heading in the right direction.

Here's another reason not to let them bully you if you need one.
DD was full term but small and had low blood sugars and i was bullied into formula top ups while she was in SCBU.
She vomited up all the formula they put down her tube but not my EBM. It was so bad they put her nil by mouth on a drip.
Now she is 6 months and on weaning her I've found out she is milk protein allergic- came out in hives the first time she had a yoghurt. So maybe that explains her vomiting the formula. I am convinced it did her more harm than good.
I would need some seriously good reasons before I ever let any future babies have top ups. The paediatrician should at least give a convincing reason to you face to face rather than a 2nd hand message. Stick to your guns.

Also the premmie baby in the cot next to ours was having EBM with fortifying powder mixed in and this was only 6 months ago so can't understand why they won't let you do that if they really feel extra calories are needed.

I have the full support of the BF HV and my HV now, they said to carry on with the EBM tops up and see what his weight is next friday, and then we can fight the SCBU with the 5oz/6oz argument. Callum has gained another 5oz this week, he is now 5lb 11 1/2. My Hv said she will come here when the SCBU nurse comes round next and will help me. She is also going to phone SCBU nurse and see why they are insisting on a 6oz gain,