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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

BF not going well - my own fault. Advice and help needed.

39 replies

abbymeg · 05/01/2009 18:32

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster.

DS was topped up with formula from Day 1, despite best intentions. He went on to develop jaundice which made him incredibly difficult to wake up; when I took him to hospital I was told to keep topping him after every feed, as he was hovering near 10% weight loss.

I had 8 different MWs and a paediatrician (sp?) check latch and tell me that it was fine (Dr also said he has a small tongue tie but it didn't appear to affect feeding); however I saw yet another MW after returning back from hospital and found out that it wasn't fine, but she helped me and things seemed to be going well, to the point that I took her advice and knocked off all the formula feeds except through the night - though I would still BF first.

However, DS isn't gaining weight very well. He is 3 weeks tomorrow; he was last weighed on Friday (17 days) and he was 9oz under birth weight, though he had gained 7 oz in 12 days. He also hasn't had a dirty nappy for nearly 2 days which I know can be a sign of weight loss as it has happened before, so I'm worried weight might have gone down again. He only tends to do one poo a day.

Yesterday he started cluster feeding intensively - he was switching breasts from 4pm-1.30am, when I finally relented and topped him up (I hate giving him a bottle). He slept from 2am - 7am. Today, he fed for an hour (30mins each side) from 7; I then started feeding him at 10.30 and he fed continually - switching sides - until 3.30 when I gave him some more formula because I'm scared I'm not feeding him right and didn't know what else to do. I don't think he was 'dummying' me - his jaw was going nearly the entire time, and he only dropped off once, but woke within a few minutes and started again. He did mess about at times - spitting out the nipple and crying.

I should mention that he has had a dummy, which he settled with a couple of nights ago and didn't take the formula feed - I was really pleased, but then things have gone downhill again. He refused the dummy today.

I would appreciate any help. I know I have made lots of mistakes and I'm feeling really rubbish about it all. I'm guilty that he's had any ff; I'm cross at the very misleading and conflicting advice I've had from MWs; and most of all I'm scared that I'm still starving him 3 weeks later.

OP posts:

treedelivery · 05/01/2009 23:45

Good plan abbymeg. Different scales between hv and mw also a factor!

BETHJOHNSTON · 05/01/2009 23:48

hi there, looking for some advice. I'm a first time mum so not really sure what to do. My son is 5 weeks old. Was diagnosed with reflux from 10 days. Am bottle feeding SMA Gold. Advised to put infant gaviscon in bottles but no good. Reflux not really bad, more so Severe Indigestion. Really uncomfortable for about 2 hours after feeding, crunching up, pushing etc etc. Have him elevated all the time. Also have projectile vomiting but not every day. After a lot of research, I decided to change his food to Cow & Gate Comfort. Have only given him 2 bottles so far this evening but he doesn't seem to get up much wind. Have been told that changing Formula causes Colic... HV didn't really want me to change formula. have I made wrong decision????? Also, no 1 teat too slow, but no 2 too fast! Has taken me 2 hours each feed to feed him 5 oz!!! Please help, any advice would be appreciated.

tiktok · 05/01/2009 23:49

Beth - you need to start a new thread. Put reflux in the title and you will get some good help. The topic of your post is too different from this thread.

Tryharder · 05/01/2009 23:51

Abbymeg, just wanted to add well done, it's soooo hard isnt it? Good luck for tomorrow but I would check with a bfc before you make any decisions re) bf/ff. I know mws and hvs mean well but sometimes their bf knowledge is shocking.

I only discovered mn when DS2 was a bit older and I really wish i had been able to seek advice on here in the early days. DS2 was cluster feeding like crazy and his latch was fairly poor. My HV said she thought topups were a good thing as it didnt sound like my milk supply was up to much (obviously she put it more kindly than that). I really, really wish that I had never listened to her as it took me 3-4 months to get DS2 off the top ups (which he now is, thankfully)

Is there a bf coordinator at your local hospital? I would also recommend La Leche League who were very, very helpful to me and will often come out in person - free of charge.

I remember those days of the constant feeds, backache, the boredom of sitting all day in one place feeding, feeding, feeding and above all the lack of sleep. BUT IT WILL PASS.

BETHJOHNSTON · 05/01/2009 23:55

BETHJOHNSTON · 06/01/2009 00:11

thanks tiktok, first time using site!!!

tiktok · 06/01/2009 00:15

Beth - to start a new thread, you need to click on 'add new thread in this topic'. It's no use begining a new convo in an exisiting thread - this is called 'highjacking' and it's not as helpful to you as starting a new thread. This thread belongs to abbymeg, really. Hope this helps.

Original poster

abbymeg · 06/01/2009 12:10

Good luck Beth .

Typing one-handed again! Another huge thank you to everyone, especially for all the useful contacts.

treedelivery and hannah I have found a bf cafe very close to me (around the corner from my house!) so I will be attending. Thanks for the links.

Well...

I may have been a touch hasty to condemn my bf skills!

DS has gained 6oz in three days, which is amazing compared to previous gain. He is now back to 10lbs 6oz, so only 3oz under his birth weight. Obviously cluster feeding was working after all that worry. Still no poo, but MW has said this could well be his pattern, and not to worry too much as he's had lots of really wet nappies, is very well in himself and is gaining weight. (So pleased to be able to write that .) MW advised me not to stop top-up at night just yet until he's back to birth weight and gaining steadily, which is fair enough. I'm pleased I've managed to get to a situation where he gets most of it from me and hopefully, in a few weeks, all of it. Both MW and HV were really supportive and HV was impressed that I've continued to feed in spite of everything that DS and I have been through during and since the birth. Her words, and the posts on here, have made me feel much better about our current routine, and much more positive about the coming weeks.

Thank you all again!

OP posts:

treedelivery · 06/01/2009 14:28

Yay!!!

Your breastfeeding succesfully girl - repeat 10 times and hour. It's happening!!

MrsHappy · 06/01/2009 15:34

Well done Abby.

LaTrucha · 06/01/2009 18:30

Hooray!

moondog · 06/01/2009 18:38

Fantastic!

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 06/01/2009 18:44

Well done you!!!!!!

Darkmere · 06/01/2009 18:44

I love a happy ending. Well done abbeymeg

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