Struggling with feed feed (health visitor)

[Lanzy]

Baby was diagnosed with reflux from GP after I mentioned a few weeks back. She’s 5 weeks old and now been told she’s not gained as expected and that i need to feed feed, after sickness being improved for last few weeks once I got this advice baby has started throwing up lots at feed.
I’ve been told if baby falls asleep during to wake. (Previously posted about the not gaining but latest now)

baby was 5 11 when born and currently at 6 13lb which has raised the concern!

Last week she was averaging 90ml sometimes over. Once health visitor mentioned I felt confused as in recent weeks it seems it’s been constant feeds - I breast feed too.
(combo)

I had urgent app at GP, she had checks over. Ie listened to her stomach and heart, they don’t know what’s wrong but I asked if I could trial anti cows milk - got prescription and sickness improved tonight but still very grunty, moving lots and making faces baby is averaging 60ml at her last 3 feeds and doing 2 hourly. I haven’t really BF as much tonight as had to catch on sleep affer not sleeping in days
I’m worrying, is she meant to be on higher amount? I don’t know how much she gets from breast but don’t feel a lot!
i also pointed to gp that two white spots on throat but she never really..

do I stick with this anti cows milk and start using carobel - had stopped carobel due to constipation, should these things help but then again i’m struggling with the feed feed thing because baby falls asleep and if I put to mouth she doesn’t after certain time

Oh sending lots of love OP - it’s really hard when your tired, baby isn’t gaining weight and you end up worrying over every feed!

i don’t have any advice re the amounts your LO should be taking. I am breastfeeding my 7 month old and have never had any clue how much he is taking… but just wanted to share with you that you aren’t alone! When my DS was born, he didn’t gain the right amount of weight for about 4-5 weeks either… I just had to be really strict with setting timers for myself to make him feed, I made a note of exactly how long each feed was and if it was less than 10 mins, I had to wake him up (he was a little terror for falling asleep almost right away at the breast) and really coax him to take more. After about 5-6 weeks, it did settle down though and he then started to come on without me taking too much notice.

One of the midwives did recommend taking fenugreek supplements to increase the quality and quantity of my milk. I have no idea if this helped but I did this and it seemed to correlate with DS improving.

I have no idea what to suggest with the sickness, anti-cows milk etc and obviously the Dr knows more than me… but I do sometimes wonder if we end up trying to ‘fix’ babies with all these things when really the best (and only) thing they really need is lots of breast milk.

sending lots of love xx

Also re the white spots, could it just be what they call Epstein pearls? Tend to affect newborns but nothing to be worried about.

Have you seen a lactation consultant? Babies can be on the breast sucking without actually taking milk/ much milk. I had this problem with my son. You should see their chin and throat sort of ripple when they swallow if they are taking milk. If you can I would try and find a lactation consultant to help.

Have you so had them checked for tongue tie? This can cause the poor feeding and can result in very uncomfortable babies because it can cause them to swallow lots of air. Again a lactation consultant can help.

If there's a cows milk protein allergy, it will also help for you to stop eating dairy. Otherwise your baby is still getting the protein through your milk.

Have a look at these videos too to chekc your latch and that they are getting milk effectively.

fb.watch/dI2q96IYw9/

The breast compressions in the last clip can really help them take more milk.