baby seems to be rejecting my milk

[BumblBeee]

I even cracked and gave her formula milk last night I was so stressed.

She has been BF for 4 months now but is not gaining weight and seems to always have digestive problems.

Thinking of quitting BF..

[Mumpbump]

When you say "not gaining weight" do you mean she hasn't put on any weight since birth or just that she is not following the growth chart? The reason I ask is because the percentile curves are only a guide and they are also prepared on the basis of ff babies which put on weight more quickly...

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Why do you say she is rejecting your milk - explain what she is doing?

[bambi06]

ho was she on the formula? what are symptoms when you say digestive problems

[BumblBeee]

She (even right now) starts breast feeding then pulls away and cries

[BumblBeee]

She drank the formula really quickly. She won't eat all day then is really hungry at night and I don't have enough milk

[Mumpbump]

My ds did this and I spoke to the NCT bf line. Very helpful! They said it sounded like my let-down reflex was very strong so ds was getting a lot of milk in one hit and gagging/pulling off. On their recommendation, I started to feed him lying down - bit of a pain, but it did help because the effect of gravity is not as strong. Sounds bizarre...

No experience of reflux or other problems, I'm afraid.

[BumblBeee]

Digestive problems: lots of wind and diarrhea and constipation too it seems as she seems to struggle for hours to do a poo sometimes

[Mumpbump]

How often is she having dirty nappies? Bf babies can go for a couple of days; any longer and I guess she might be constipated?

[Mumpbump]

BTW, my ds had very loose nappies some times, but was fine. Have you taken her to the doctor's?

[BumblBeee]

MumpBump this is interesting as I feed her lying down at night, she seems to favour one side I think possibly also

[BumblBeee]

Some days she will have 10 dirty nappies others none. It is often greenish as well.

[Mumpbump]

Is she generally happy and content within herself, other than when feeding? I think that's a much better measure of a baby's state and I think their poo does vary in colour and frequency quite a bit.

[bambi06]

i thought greenish meant being underfed..i`m only saying what a book said..its not necessarily my opinion bu tit could also be a reaction to something you eat or cannot tolerate milk..my son use d to do something similar and i put him on goats milk and he was fine but their are so many reasons ..i would speak to a bf consellor if i was you..try your local nct or la leche

[LIZS]

Babies that age do this sometimes. Are you on the August or September post natal thread as am certain you'll find others with the same. At htis age they are more aware of surroundings and easily distracted but can also become much mroe efficient feeders, taking more in less time . Formula after a breats feed has been likened to pudding after a filling main meal - you find a way to fit it in but it doesn't mean she was actually hungry. It is certainly not, on its own ,a symptom of your lack of milk, nor is the amount you can express.

Mumpbump that is actually a bit of a myth re : charts - they apparently represent a cross section of babies, both bf and ff - but are still an average to which you baby and many others may well not conform for any number of reasons. B'fed babies can gain in fits and starts especially as they become more active.

tbh she is also more likely to experience digestive problems on formula than breast milk. Have you spoken to a breastfeeding counsellor for advice ?

[BumblBeee]

yes she seems happy but for feeding and sleeping times. excuse one hand typing!

[Mumpbump]

What did she weigh when born and how much is she now? Her weight gain might not be as bad as you think...

[BumblBeee]

It is annoying she starts feeding then screams and arches her back. My doctor said to give her formula or baby rice so not much help.

Breastfeeding peoples advice has been along the lines of "Oh just stay up all night feding her if she wants to eat then"

I am not really keen on either suggestion.

[BumblBeee]

she weighed 8lbs 3oz at birth, then 12lbs in November but still 12lbs now.

[LIZS]

"Breastfeeding peoples advice " which have you tried ? Can you have a babyfeeding fets during the day and see if little and often helps ?

[Mumpbump]

My ds went for a period of 3/4 weeks of only gaining about 2oz. Is you hv concerned about her weight gain?

[Mumpbump]

Sorry - your hv.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Ah, so she is feeding now?

I am sure, 4 months in, you have enough milk. Just keep offering her feeds often. If she is being overwhelmed by let down then more regular feeds may help slow your let down, dont worry about how far apart/spaced they are. The more feeds you fit in the daytime, the less likely she may be to wake up hungry in the night (no guarantees though!). The nappies sound fine.

I think you need to relax, she probably notices that you are tense too.

So - weight gain or lack of - what are we talking about exactly?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

ah x posts re weight.

Try feeding little and often during the day. offer both sides and start each feed from the one you finished on.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

(well, not so much little but ykwim?)

[BumblBeee]

Ok will try staying home this week and feeding frequently.

I am concerned about the lack of weight gain.