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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Any advice welcome

49 replies

turtle23 · 31/07/2008 10:00

Have been trying to get DS (18 weeks) onto bottles for weeks, am still BF at night and occasionally during the day. He had started taking up to 4 oz from a bottle and now all of a sudden he wont touch them. My milk had started to dwindle a bit...it's hot and he wants to nurse...milk not really there. Do I just keep going and hope it comes back? Make him wait and bottle feed? Argh. The guilt.

OP posts:
Sazisi · 31/07/2008 10:02

I think if you just let him nurse as much as he wants your supply will increase to meet demand.

Original poster
turtle23 · 31/07/2008 10:11

Am hoping it is teething or similar and this will pass...

OP posts:
tiktok · 31/07/2008 10:20

turtle, sazisi is right. The milk may well have dwindled, but it will return if you feed frequently.

Original poster
turtle23 · 31/07/2008 13:58

So what do I do in the meantime? His nappies are really not very wet...do I syringe some extra in? Have him feeding on me hourly, basically but not much coming out...

OP posts:
tiktok · 31/07/2008 14:05

turtle, just offer him more breastfeeds. You are not 'dry'. Milk will be there. He may indicate to you that he is not thrilled by the flow or the amount, but just keep offering and take him off when/if he starts to object.

This prob doesn't need to be hourly all the time.

Do you think he is basically well and healthy?

caribee · 31/07/2008 14:07

if it is hot where you are he will be weeing less and sweating a bit more too.

Original poster
turtle23 · 31/07/2008 14:22

I think he's teething, but otherwise he's on top form. It isn't me who's choosing hourly!!

OP posts:
tiktok · 31/07/2008 17:50

Ah, I thought you meant I was suggesting hourly...if he needs feeding hourly, then that's fine, it won;t last forever

Original poster
turtle23 · 01/08/2008 06:43

It's just getting worse. He hasnt weed since last night and my milk is still in puny supply.do i take him to dr? Wont let me near his mouth. Expressed a whopping half oz this morning in attempt to cup feed it, he fought the whole way but now am feeling very scared.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 01/08/2008 10:30

bump

HonoriaGlossop · 01/08/2008 10:38

Don't be scared turtle - this is sortable, don't panic

Am sure tiktok and others will have advice on this, keep bumping.

StealthPolarBear · 01/08/2008 10:40

when you say he won't let you near his mouth, do you mea with a bottle? does he still breastfeed?
does he have dribble?

VictorianSqualor · 01/08/2008 10:41

Not the GP, no.
Call a BFC.
(numbers on profile)

How do you know your supply is low?

tiktok · 01/08/2008 10:57

turtle - you said last night he was on 'top form' when I asked about his health.
If he literally has not wee'd overnight, he will probably be showing other signs of dehydration - are you sure he really has not wee'd at all?

I think you need to check this out with your HV or a GP, and also phone a BFC.

Hope all is well.

Original poster
turtle23 · 01/08/2008 12:11

He finally did a wee this morning which I weighed like an overanxious freak. (165) That was the only wee he'd done in 15 hours. Saw the HV out of desperation who told me I was being an idiot basically. Said not to BF him and just hold out for bottles. I guess I'm just being soft? Dont like the idea of him being thirsty in this weather. I asked whether it was teething, etc and she wouldn't listen, just said not to waste time BFing him. I'm a bit emotional so probably not thinking clearly. As far as supply goes, I cant express anything and I have only really had a proper letdown once this morning...boobs just feel deflated.

OP posts:
tiktok · 01/08/2008 13:45

turtle

I think the next step is to talk to someone who won't judge and who will accept your ambivalence about breastfeeding and bottle feeding.

Try the helplines.

StealthPolarBear · 01/08/2008 14:13

Please can someone like tiktok verify or counter what I'm saying but it seems like your biggest worry is dehydration. At 18w, what would be the harm in giving him some water now? I know it can affect supply (and obviously you're already worried about supply), but it seems as though you need to get some water into him and then, once you're convinced he's not thirsty, worry about working on your supply.
Like I said I am NOT an expert and so please get this checked before you decide.

tiktok · 01/08/2008 14:16

Dehydration is not a Good Thing - I am still unsure from turtle's posts if this is something worth worrying about or not. HV seems to be unhelpful about this.

Water would not be harmful as a means of allaying concerns about fluid intake, I agree, STB.

tiktok · 01/08/2008 14:17

I mean, SPB

Original poster
turtle23 · 01/08/2008 16:11

Have syringed a bit of water and EBM into him. He has basically just spent the whole day lying with me and sucking and we're not getting out of bed for hours. He has only had one more very very small wet nappy since and I am trying to have faith that he's ok. Fontanelle not dipped and he's alert so am soldiering on. This really just bites. It took me weeks to have the courage to stop BF and now I have the battle all over again. I feel very guilty. I am going to try to make DH do all the feeds from tonight for a few days if I can stomach it, but am not sure how long I will be able to hold out hearing him cry for me.

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Original poster
turtle23 · 04/08/2008 07:49

Somebody please help me piece together what's going on? After all that decided to just ignore HV and BF. Have tried the odd bottle and twice he took 2 oz but he screamed the rest of time. He wont suck a dummy anymore, just chews it about, and looks to me like he's got sore gums. It isnt the taste of formula, I dont think since he took it before and he now wont touch EBM whether bottle, cup, whatever. What the "£$% do I do? I am happy to bf if it's because he's in pain, but do need him to be on bottles soon. Am I being too soft? Should I just starve him til e takes them? We've gone from 8 then 4hr stretches to patchy 5 then 2 then 1 then 2 at night...not making sense. Help!

OP posts:
StellaWasADiver · 04/08/2008 08:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

littleducks · 04/08/2008 08:10

oh dear, its been tough for you hasnt it turtle

when do you need to stop bfeeding by? and why, (if thats not too personal) will you be expressing?

I dont really think you should 'starve' (obv not truely) him as he is sooo determined (and perhaps a bit stubborn) its hard to know if you would win!

You have tried different teats and bottles millions of times haven't you?

Original poster
turtle23 · 04/08/2008 08:14

Hi littleducks...yes, i could start a small shop with the cupboard full of teats and bottles.
Please note, everyone, that i would not truly starve him, and my resolve to stop BF is so strong that I have slept with him next to me for the whole weekend, giving him whatever he wants, kept the room at a temp that means we have almost continuous skin to skin contact, and have tried bottle for a whopping 3 mins before sticking him back on.
Why give up? It's a bit selfish and sounds terrible, but we are going to try for number two soon and I cant shift the weight while BF and just kind of want a break before getting pg again. (guilty emoticon)

OP posts:
Original poster
turtle23 · 04/08/2008 08:16

Oh, as to when do I need to stop by..that's just it, isn't it. Don't NEED TO. Feel terrible, as there are so many people who CANT BF and he loves it...am in emotional hell at the mo.

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