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Original poster

is it wrong to force feed a baby?

53 replies

tasha22 · 27/04/2008 18:39

my son is 8months old was 7 weeks prem and has started refusing feeds along with a number of other problems. hes been dropping in weight and currently weighs 10lb14oz so was wanting to know is it wrong to try forcing him to drink his bottles

OP posts:
kayzisexpecting · 27/04/2008 19:03

I wouldn't do it myself but my HV tld my MIL when she had the little boy she fostered she had to force feed him as he was small. His mum was 4ft1 and his dad was 4ft4 so the dietrican(sp) said he was getting plenty of food and was just going to be a small person.

delllie · 27/04/2008 19:54

I can understand your frustration {HUGS}, but it is better that you seek advice as to why he isn't eating. I went through something very similar with my dd, she dropped centiles and ended up being failure to thrive, turned out it was severe acid reflux causing the problems and once she was treated for it things improved dramatically.

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 19:57

i phoned the hosp and they said to bring himup so have to wait on dp getting home at 9. he has reflux but he gets carobel in his milk and its been under control

OP posts:
Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 19:58

he is also said to be failure to thrive by peadiatrician

OP posts:
Habbibu · 27/04/2008 20:03

Just wanted to add my support, Tasha. I can imagine that you must be very worried about your little boy, and that these worries can make you contemplate doing all sorts of things. I'm glad you're getting to see the hospital. Please let us know how you get on when you get a chance, and do come here if and when you need more support.

lionbeastwithalionheart · 27/04/2008 20:22

hi tasha, i have no know;edge or experience of this, but just wanted to say good luck, i hope they can help you both at the hospital.
it must be extremly stressful for you,
but i think your doing the right thing taking him up to the hospital

sending you both best wishes xxxx

umberella · 27/04/2008 20:26

hi tasha, your ds is gorgeous, good luck at the hospital xxx

Fllight · 27/04/2008 20:45

Gosh he is a darling
I hadn't noticed your profile
What a cutie pie.
By the way you're very pretty and so are all your boys!!

Best of luck tonight.

calvemjoe · 27/04/2008 20:52

Bless your poor ds . You must feel so helpless. I hope that you get some answers tonight x

littlelapin · 27/04/2008 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
tasha22 · 27/04/2008 22:50

dp refused to take us up because he said they seen him last night and that i should just leave it till tomorrow and see the GP. i broke down and said i was worried about him and that they need to do more because his breathing is terrible the inhaler isnt helping hes very tierd and refusing feeds but he said they will only do the same thing they done last night. think he just wanted to go to bed but im going to take him to docs tomorrow.

i know hes a wee gem. and a very happy smiley baby when hes on form

OP posts:
Fllight · 28/04/2008 06:49

Very upset on your behalf, a mother's instinct should never be ignored imo.
Sorry this happened.
I hope you are seen and taken seriously today. Can you go directly to the hospital rather than GP?
I'll send you taxi fare if DP won't take you

kayzisexpecting · 28/04/2008 07:18

That was awful. He should have taken you. I'd go straight to the hospital too. It would be a waste if the GP says he needs to go to the hospital.

You and your kids are gorgeous!!

lionbeastwithalionheart · 28/04/2008 08:06

totally agree with flight and kayi'd get a taxi upto the hospital.
listen to your instinct
wishing you luck today

Habbibu · 28/04/2008 12:57

Oh tasha, sorry your dp wasn't helpful. I do hope things are better today, and you've seen a doctor and had some help. Agree with the others - he's just gorgeous!

blueshoes · 28/04/2008 13:41

tasha22, it sounds worrying. Let us know what the hospital says. A long shot, but you mentioned tiredness, not feeding properly, fast breathing ... has your son's heart been scanned to rule out congenital heart issues?

EzrasMummy · 28/04/2008 15:28

Hi Tasha22. Just to let you know that i know how you feel. You mustnt worry. I had the same problem with my boy. He was born at 25 weeks and just didnt eat. He also had chronic lung disease so needed an 3 inhalers and a nebulizer. He weighed about 10lb at 6 months.

One of the things the dietician did was to add extra calories to his milk. Please please please try not to worry. It will take a while to catch up and when he learns to eat solid food, his weight will pick up.

I had the same problem with my DD. she is 1 now and started putting weight on properly when she started eating solid food.

Just make sure you ask all the questions you have in your head, and just try to relax. I know having a prem baby isnt easy and that is worrying enough itself. See what the docs will do.

All the best

Original poster
tasha22 · 28/04/2008 16:09

EzrasMummy-thanks that puts my mind at ease a little. my lo was born at 33weeks and weighed 4lb and now 8 months old weighs 10lb14oz. did they add calories to higher calorie milk?

thanks everyone for your support. i should have insisted he brought us up last night.

gp has said to bring him back to the hospital and he will have to stay in a couple of days to get nebulised and sucked out(lovely). hes only took 3.5oz of milk today and been sleeping a lot.

OP posts:
Original poster
tasha22 · 28/04/2008 16:10

25 weeks must have been very scary for you

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blueshoes · 28/04/2008 17:04

tasha, the dietician will be able to prescribe high calorie milk, like infantrini. They are available on prescription.

Fllight · 28/04/2008 17:51

Hi Tasha, I'm glad they are taking it seriously
Blueshoes said what I've been thinking, is his little heart Ok? I don't know at what age problems are generally picked up but his symptoms are suggestive of possibly something going on there.

(not medically trained btw)
I really hope they can make him more comfortable.

Habbibu · 28/04/2008 20:38

Glad you're getting proper help, Tasha. Hope he picks up soon.

Boboma · 29/04/2008 15:21

Just wanted to suggest that you try looking at the cleft palate face forward forum: www.faceforward.org.uk/forums/parent/index. I'm mum to a cleft palate baby who has had major feeding problems and have found it a great help.

Original poster
tasha22 · 01/05/2008 16:57

Fllight and blueshoes, hes heart was checked before he was born because he had a cleft that sometimes means he could also have heart problems but they were happy enough with it. hes already on sma higher energy formula.

Boboma- thanks for the link. he used to be such a good feeder. i was thinking it might have something to do with the cleft so i went upatairs in the hospital that lo is in today and asked if a member of the cleft team could come down and have a look but they said everthing looks fine and its most likely to do with him not being well.

hes still in hospital and refusing all feeds he wont even attempt a bottle any more so hes being tube fed. blood tests came back all clear. dp is staying with him tonight so i can have a rest.

OP posts:
Habbibu · 01/05/2008 20:13

Oh, I'm glad you're all getting the help you need, Tasha. Hopefully the tubefeeding will make him a bit stronger and able to get over this illness. And you'll get your gorgeous boy back safe and well! Hope you get some rest. Do keep us posted, won't you?