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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

PLEASE HELP.....

45 replies

ZoeP · 11/04/2005 06:39

My 9 week old weighed 7lb at birth and only weighs 7 15 now. HV says to supplement with formula. My prob is that baby is very very windy (always blue around the mouth) also very sleepy when feeding and will go hours without feed if I let her. She generally feeds every 3 hours and am trying to give her both breasts because HV says my milk may be low, sometimes she will only take 10 mins before falling asleep, have tried all sorts to keep her awake - How can I keep her awake to feed? have tried everything for wind nothing works (all medicines, cranio osteo etc)Any tips? How do I know if she has got to the hind milk? I cant face putting her on formula What do I do?

OP posts:

Potty1 · 13/04/2005 19:19

I usually steer clear of feeding threads but Zoe, you do have me a bit worried here. Like aloha I feel that the sleepiness, lack of weight gain and blueness needs checking on by your GP.

My dd has heart problems and presented much as you describe. I would never want to worry anyone unduly but by the same token wouldn't want it to go unchecked either.

ionesmum · 13/04/2005 19:25

Zoe, hope all goes well. I stopped bf my first after just a week so well done for getting this far. Do get your dd checked out, and have lots of fun with your little one.

SamN · 13/04/2005 21:34

Zoe, I'm so sorry it's been so difficult for you . I know just how draining and stressful it can be when babies don't feed properly and don't put on weight. Have you booked an appointment with a GP? I agree with the others that something else might be going on here, in which case formula probably isn't the answer.

Also, regarding support at home, you might want to contact Homestart and find out if they work in your area.

mum2max · 13/04/2005 22:04

I breastfeed twice a day and give a bottle 3 times. Mixed feeding's worked for me brilliantly as I'm back to work now.

Original poster

ZoeP · 13/04/2005 22:32

Have an appointment with the Dr on Friday. When she was born I passed out and her heart dipped dangerously so was rushed off into theatre, serious emergency as DH could not be there, after she suffered from what they called dusky spells (needed oxygen) so will pursue the heart query. She never used to sleep much and the HV said that was probably because she was hungry (although she was and is very alert, has held her head up for weeks). Had her weighed and she has gone up to 8lb 6oz which is a relief. Will let you all know what Dr says, although I did mention it on her 6 week check and he was totally disinterested and said people put too much down to wind and she was fine!! Why dont these people listen when you are trying to tell them that you think something is wrong??? Anyway, dont know what I would have done without you all out there.

OP posts:

tiktok · 13/04/2005 23:33

ZoeP, if she is now that weight, then I think you are right to be relieved (though nevertheless a good idea to check things out) - if her weight has risen by 7 ounces in 2 days, I would seriously wonder about the accuracy of the 7 pounds 15 oz weight...though if this was last week's weight, then the rise of 7 ounces is just fine and a good sign that the extra breastfeeding you offered is doing a good job

NotQuiteCockney · 14/04/2005 07:16

ZoeP, there's a Blandford Breastfeeding Support Group - is that near you? Even if the breastfeeding is going better, it's worth dropping in for support, and to make new friends. There are also some in Ferndown and Verwood, and maybe one coming in Wimborne. (Your HV should have details.)

If you're not BF any more, many churches run drop in groups. Your local NCT may run coffee mornings? It's hard managing with a new baby.

(This isn't to say you shouldn't check your baby doesn't have a larger health issue. But the new weight gain is a good sign, surely.)

Original poster

ZoeP · 14/04/2005 14:04

Went to a BF support group when she was 5 weeks old and it was more of a chat about personal issues than anything else. Do also attend most weeks a NCT coffee morning. The 7lb 15oz was a week ago BUT I was supplementing her with an extra ounce or two of formula for abuot 3 of those days so dont feel it is down to me. Started knocking one feed on the head and replacing with formula which I will do every 3 days so she gets used to it, not sure I will and am feeling really really upset but when I was suuplementing she started to go through the night and stopped again the last few nights with just me feeding her so I am pretty sure she isnt getting enough food. Im sure once the transition is over I will be able to get over it but really feel like my job has gone and that the very special bond BF gives will be lost forever.

OP posts:

collision · 14/04/2005 18:23

Zoe, dont beat yourself up about this. Enjoy your lovely dd as the time goes by so quickly it is silly to get upset about something that you can do nothing about.

I think you have done brilliantly.

aloha · 14/04/2005 18:35

if you do move to formula then of course that is fine, but you do sound sad about it. I mixed fed my son and it worked well for me. Some days he had several formula feeds, other days I breastfed all day. It can work, and as breastfeeding is clearly special to you then I think it would be an awful shame to give it up altogether, especially as you have seen such an amazing weight gain (though I agree with Tiktok - that 7.15 might well have been a mistake with the scales, it's very common).
Don't lose your confidence! I think nine weeks is very young to go through the night - my dd is also nine weeks, certainly doesn't go through the night and is as well fed as a well fed thing on breastmilk. Don't think it is a sign of failure. Breastmilk is more easily digested which may explain why she woke up.
BTW I'm sure that a ounce or two of formula wasn't the reason for the huge weight gain! That was YOU!

ionesmum · 14/04/2005 20:38

Zoe, I hated ff my first and have found bfeeding my second so much better. But I really understand why you are thinking about ff and if that is what you feel is best then go for it. Just be very sure that it is what you want to do. The most important thing for your dd isn't how she is fed, it is how she is loved, and you obviously love her very much. These days are so very precious. Enjoy them as much as you can. Big hug to you both.

Naneth · 14/04/2005 21:01

Hey Zoe, I just wanted to say that we were worried that our dd wasn't feeding for long enough for quite some time after she was born (we tried all sorts included dp tickling her toes!) but eventually it settled down and she's now a great big girl of 7 months (and still BF!) If you can, hang on in there - so long as you little one is healthy, alert some of time and not losing weight dramatically give it some time. Some babies just BF differently and to their own timescale, try not to worry too much about it and watch your baby not the clock.
Really hope it works itself out soon, best of luck.

Naneth · 14/04/2005 21:11

Just reread your post, don't blame yourself that her waking up through the night means she's not getting enough food from you, that's just the way BF works. Breast milk is nice and easy to digest whereas formula sits a little longer in their little tums making them feel fuller for longer (hence longer sleeping) but is not necessarily giving her anything extra.

Original poster

ZoeP · 15/04/2005 17:36

Went to Drs today. Waste of time!! When I asked about blue around the mouth he listened to her heart said it was fine and when I asked what it was he said that HV saying it was wind was there way of saying they dont know!!! He said she was bright and alert and that I shouldnt worry about it. Not happy with that sort of response so taking her back next week. As for giving up BF, will probably mix feed her, there is something very special about BF that you cant explain. Starting baby massage next week as well so that might help with the wind.

OP posts:

highlander · 15/04/2005 18:07

ZoeP, did you actually say "my baby is dusky around the mouth, has slow weight gain and is sleepy. I'm worried about a possible heart defect and maybe a referral to a paediatrician is appropriate"?

If you only mentioned the dusky mouth, then this is common in most babies. Couple this with normal heart sounds, lack of other peripheral cyanosis and an alert baby, then there probably isn't anything to worry about. Your GP would have seen your baby moving and noticed normal breathing and a normal pink colour.

I wasn't there, but a GP can only diagnose/refer on the info given.

Potty1 · 15/04/2005 18:15

Sorry that you didn't get much help today Zoe.

Was your GP not concerned about the lack of weight gain?

Mixed feeding is a great compromise - I mixed fed my two younger children and it really worked for us

ionesmum · 15/04/2005 22:13

Zoe - I know that several other mumsnetters have had problems with ineffective g.p.s, and have gone to A&E. If you are still really concerned, you can do this - there will be paedetricians on site and it will put your mind at rest. You can start by saying about the blue mouth and then take it from there. Don't worry about wasting their time, they are used to anxious parents! I don't mean for one minute that your dd is an emergency case, but that you may be able to find some reassurance that she has been well looked at. My dd2 had terrible jaundice that didn't clear and we had to go to A&E, and whilst we were there the senior paediatric doctor did a full MOT on her for a student. It was great!

As for the mixed feeding - go for it and good luck. Bfeeding is so wonderful and I only wish I'd been told about mixed feeding when I had dd1.

Original poster

ZoeP · 16/04/2005 19:31

Had her checked again and they said no heart prob - thank heaven. Now on mixed feeding which is working really well, she can still go on the breast as and when with 2 dedicated feeds AND she slept from 10.30pm till 4.30am last night - heaven, seems maybe she wasnt getting enough feed from me but I thought that was the case with the wind. Still very windy though and I suppose this is something I will have to put up with. She is as alert as ever (only ever sleeps 4 hours max during day), and HV and Dr commented on how alert she was. Spent an hour today just 'chatting'with her, she is very responsive and tries to copy the noises I make. Do you ever not worry about every tiny little thing???? or is this because I am a first time mum?? Anyway, thanks everyone.

OP posts:

highlander · 16/04/2005 20:29

As a first time mum, I burst into tears the other day whilst on the phone to the HV about DS's constipation

I just can't seem to handle the mere thought of him being in any discomfort and it makes me feel like such a crap mum when my decisions are wrong (like not giving him enough fluid).

I think paranoia, guilt and worrying 24/7 all seem to be a normal part of being a mum!

ionesmum · 16/04/2005 21:00

Zoe, be gentle with yourself . When I had my first I was terrified about everything. Sh ehad a nasty birth and ended up in NICU briefly, and when we got her home she screamed for weeks. Then when I had dd2, although I found it all so much easier, dd1 kept on bringing home bugs from her friends so I still ended up in floods of tears because I was so scared of dd2 getting sick - dd1 had a particularly nasty gastric bug when dd2 was 6 weeks and I was petrified. Another worry we had was that dd2 didn't focus until she was over three mo. We ended up at the hospital for her eyes, her jaundice (twice!) and a heavy cold that was affecting her breathing!

We only worry because we love them so much, and I don't think it ever fully goes away. It's the hardest part of being a mum and something that we just have to deal with. Your dd is alert, you are happy with your feeding and you have had some sleep - what could be better? Good luck!

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