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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??

OP posts:
JenT · 23/11/2007 16:31

that is great news.. at least now you have some support!

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 23/11/2007 17:04

at least I can calm down a bit now, knowing I have support. My HV said its a bit funny having a SCBU nurse who is so pro-formula, especially since the hospital has the babyfriendly thing in place.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 23/11/2007 17:09

Oh, fantastic, SGK! Another 5oz is brilliant! Well done you, and well done Callum!

hunkermunker · 23/11/2007 17:11

Might be worth a letter to the Chief Exec in a few months, because Babyfriendly wouldn't look too kindly on it, I'm sure!

NorthernLurker · 23/11/2007 17:13

Good work SGK - great to hear your hv is being supportive, the scbu nurse's attitude is weird indeed!

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 23/11/2007 17:20

I will complain, me thinks. Its been a horrible weeks, but my HV said not to top up with the formula (unless I really have to) as he is gaining weight with the EBM top ups. She said that they need to find out why he isn't gaining without the topups rather than bully me into formula.

OP posts:
VeryLittleCarrot · 23/11/2007 17:21

SGK

I have enormous admiration for your gumption in resisting the pressure, and I really understand how hard it is to stand your ground - I'm under similar pressure myself. I have just returned from the GPs an hour ago and found myself asking the EXACT same question you ask in your thread title. The GP told me if my LO didn't gain over the next few weeks according to her expectations, then I MUST give formula. She made me promise to come back if dd "fell through any more lines". The only consolation is that since she's off the bottom of the charts there are no more lines to fall through so I can answer that truthfully . So now that's a GP and one of the lactation specialists who both keep threatening that I'll have to resort to formula (although the lactation specialist doesn't state it so explicitly, she uses euphemisms.)

It gets so wearing, trying to argue with them. I told the GP I would need a compelling scientific argument as to why formula would be superior to breastmilk, and commented upon the higher calorific value of breastmilk. But you just know they aren't interested in the truth, and see you as the unreasonable one.

I know you know this, but 5oz is bloomin brilliant. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for my dd to gain that, even just once. The most she has ever gained in a week (over four months) is 3 oz.

Don't you wish there were Tiktoks, Mears, and Hunkers around us in real life to come and put some of the hideous HCPs straight for us?

The pressure is awful - please keep on doing what you feel is right. You should be so proud of yourself.

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 23/11/2007 17:28

sorry to hera you are goinf through the same thing carrot. The pressure is huge and so confusing, sometimes I doubt myself, then remember that BF is the best thing for him not formula.

OP posts:
dd666 · 23/11/2007 17:43

sgk
if Callum has now put on 19oz in 7 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 to them unless they are being positive!

VeryLittleCarrot · 23/11/2007 18:20

IT IS!!!

You know, we are reasonable, intelligent, and rational Mums, and I think if the HCPs treated us like this, and presented us with proper reasons, we might have something to consider. I wouldn't refuse formula if someone could actually put into words WHY it would be better. WHY it would work, when Bmilk wouldn't.

CranberryMartini · 23/11/2007 18:28

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has been suggested - I was given 'maxijule' powder to add to EBM to encourage weight gain - was this a possible option? I know it's basically glucose powder.

mears · 23/11/2007 19:00

TBH - I don't see why EBM should be fortified. Breastmilk is perfect. Babies just do not grow at the same rate.

What you could try SGK and VLC is to express of a bit of fore milk and give fattier hind milk (very difficult though to say where one ends and the other starts).

Theoretically you could get more calories into LOs.

I have to say that I believe in nature and mother's milk and I simply do noy believe that formula has any advantage over breastmilk.

You could pump a baby full of formula, make it fat, but there would be no health benefits.

Breastmilk feeds the brain, fat is an add-on

mears · 23/11/2007 19:01

SGK - I would still contavct the feeding advisor at the hospital - she will be very interested at what you have been advised.

In instances like that, our advisor does training sessions for staff.

Piffle · 23/11/2007 19:04

quite mears
my Fail to thrive low weight gain dd (and I mean low 1/2 oz a week was danced over)
is top of the class

CalifraundingFathers · 23/11/2007 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/11/2007 19:44

sparkly - 5oz is fab. Glad you have some support too.

VeryLittleCarrot · 23/11/2007 19:44

Piffle

Your post made me grin, and my heart smile.

I think you just said it all.

VeryLittleCarrot · 23/11/2007 19:45

Cali
Can I have a waggle too?

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 23/11/2007 20:09

I believe that if I did give him formula, yes he might gain weight, but as soon as the tube is removed, I think he will stop gaining again. They need to find out why he isn't gaining weight not pushing formula.

OP posts:
NaeDanger · 23/11/2007 20:12

Mears is SOOOO right!
Babies just do not grow at the same rate.

let's all say it together now!

Babies just do not grow at the same rate.
Babies just do not grow at the same rate.

they do'nt look the same
they don't sleep the same
they don't move the same

so why should they all grow the same??

SGK - you are doing fab!

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 23/11/2007 20:23

Hv is going to phone SCBU nurse next week (scbu nurse is away for a week) and ask why it has to be 6oz yet she had previously said it should be between 5-7oz

OP posts:
shreksmissus · 23/11/2007 20:52

Message withdrawn

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 23/11/2007 20:56

He feeds every 2-3 hours (demand feeding, was every 4 hours but people on here said it was not enough)

weighing him twice a week, on a tuesday and friday.

he was 6 weeks prem.

SCBU nurse says they no longer fortify EBM

Am in herts

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 23/11/2007 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Judy1234 · 23/11/2007 21:07

(The last thing you want to do is get them hooked on sugar/glucose unless it really is very likely they would otherwise be seriously ill I suppose.)

I think if you're trying to get his weight up feeding every 2 or 3 hours is better and you will build up your own milk supply more.

Hopefuly he won't need any EBM once breastfeeding is going fine. Does he not take enough directly from you anyway? Obviously he can suck as he's feeding from you. I just wondered why he needed EBM at all. It must be a huge hassle to have to express it etc.