Please help! 12 week old and feeding

[Titch1993]

Hi,

I've posted before about my DS2 who is now 12 weeks tomorrow.
He's always been a rubbish feeder, but we've battled through so far. Now I'm just at a loss. He won't take anymore than 3oz at a time and that is pushing him (only once or twice he has taken more). If I follow his lead he will happily not feed. I have tried everything to get him to eat more frequently (which worked for a little bit) but he can go ages and will never cry for food. He takes the first 2oz great (offered after waking and then again for sleep if he hasn't ate) and then winded, but after he winds he literally screams and cries to the point he is hysterical. Short of force feeding him I don't know what to do.
He's on gavascon for reflux and I've tried inflocol (makes him sick), gripe water (helped a lot with wind but he still won't take anymore).
I've spent a fortune on different bottles, teats, different formulas (comfort to help with reflux, lactose free as HV suggested an intolerance to milk). He's on SMA normal at the moment as Sma wysoy was recalled and his diarreha has not come back, so not sure about intolerance as his skin is fine also.
I know all babies are different but I don't think he is eating enough. He's always been this way. (Taken to SCBU when born as he refused all food and had hypoglycaemia? Went from 7lb12 born to about 6lb4 so he's gained a lot back as he's now 12lb5)
Today has been hell and I've only got 16oz in him and he was sick a bit on occasion. I cant put him down as he's sick, he doesn't sleep because of hunger. My poor DS1 is being left out and I feel so bad for him. I feel nobody is listening to me when I say there's more to this.
But am I just looking into this too much? I'm trying not to worry but it cant be normal? DS1 just ate and ate (45oz at this age which is probably the opposite end of the scale).
I guess I'm just wondering if this is normal or not. I'm going to phone drs tomorrow but I don't want to look like a hysterical mother. Has anybody experienced similar?

Oh and he does actually sleep from 8.30pm to 4.30am. I try to feed him before I go to sleep and then again 1.30/2am but he's just sick or won't eat. When he wakes at 4.30am he'll only take 2/3oz and fall asleep again and I have to hold him up for at least 1hr30 otherwise he's sick, by which point DS1 is up.

It sounds like it could be a combination of colic and reflux. But you’re his mother. You know him and you know when things aren’t right. Get him checked out by the doctor and contact your health visitor. Keep pushing. Don’t take no for an answer.

If he can’t keep food down, keep him elevated. You can prop up one end of his cot with a pillow under the mattress or sit him up slightly after a meal.

Colic is tough and really common. If it’s that, he’s in pain hence the crying. I always used baby massage to prevent it. Lots of rubs and burping. Google some tips and tricks. Give it a go whilst you wait for proper support.

But honestly, you need to push for getting him checked out. Make sure they take his bloods, check his levels etc.

Hope you’re okay

If the HV suspects CMPA, do the symptoms sound anything like this?

I know there are no skin problems but there quite often aren't with milk allergies.

I'd take him back to the GP tomorrow.

If they suspect reflux, there are better meds than gaviscon.

If they suspect CMPA they should prescribe a milk suitable for babies with CMPA, not Wysoy, and refer him to the Allergy Clinic and a Paediatric Dietician.

Thank you both for your replies, helped me boost my confidence to be a little bit more assertive.
Just a quick update...
Ds2 woke with dry nappy from 8.30pm last night and was refusing feeds (up all night trying to get him to take bits).
Weve been up to the hospital, Luckily I got an extremely lovely dr who actually took the time to listen to me without fobbing me off. They've seen how he is trying to feed and agreed that there is something more to it.
Had loads of tests done, bloods are OK, his sugar levels bit low but OK. We are awaiting to see results for pyloric stenosis, but his throat and stomach are inflamed which is causing obvious pain! They tried him on some medication for gastritis and he is eating again. Still small amounts but he didn't scream or cry.
They've said he may have also developed a feeding aversion so we have been given tips to help him see its not so bad.
We have been advised to continue little and often anyway and aim for 22oz a day just incase it is pyloric stenosis.
But he seems really chilled now and has eaten 11oz overall so far.
Finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I'm just hoping things get better.

Kendamil baby milk.
Works wonders for babies with reflux etc.

@BunnyRuddington - thank you for link, I had a good look and it does sound like him. Showed the Dr too so thankfully it's not been ruled out completely.

Well done for getting him looked at OP, hope it all gets figured out for you soon

So glad you got a good doctor. You knew something was wrong as a mother, so I’m super pleased you are getting it sorted. But bless him! He must be in so much pain :(

Lots of hugs for your little one! So lucky to have an amazing mum looking out for him x

thank you for link, I had a good look and it does sound like him. Showed the Dr too so thankfully it's not been ruled out completely.

Oh that’s good news. Showing the GP the article from Allergy UK was probably a good idea as they are quite well respected. Let us know how you get on over the next couple of days

Hi,
First of all thanks again for the replies I got.
Thought I'd just post to update incase anybody ever goes through similar.

We've had ups and downs, medication didn't really work and it's a challenge to get it down him as he freeks out.
His symptoms got worse and worse to the point it looked like he was having a fit at one point.
I researched more into allergies to milk etc (although they said it wasn't ruled out they did not seem to persue it as he didnt have typical symptoms... actually every symptom he has indicates that!) In the end I just went to the pharmacy and after swapping milk to a lactose free one he now has anything up to 6oz a time and doesn't cry at all!! Still spits up a bit with the reflux but it's nowhere near as bad and not projectile vomit. Hoping its not a fluke but I've never seen him so content and happy and actually drinking!
Firmly believe its allergy related. He's got a follow up appointment today so going to mention that the new milks working.
I'm just relieved not to have a screaming match every time he feeds.