23 wk old refusing formula and bf - HELP

[ickleannie]

Hi, any advice? DS has been a poor feeder since about 6 weeks, when discovered he could look around, feeds never lasted more than 5-10 mins. Had colic and reflux, HV said that was reason. Got worse and by 20 wks feeding just 2-3 mins every 4 hours. Was only 5lb 12oz born and after initial 8-10oz gain in first 6 weeks, slow gain of around 4oz a week since. HV suggested my milk was not calorific enough so started evening formula bottle at about 17 weeks and weened. Last week moved totally to formula as very concerned not getting much milk with short feeds. Now he is only taking a max of 200mls in 24 hours, today only 100 mls. Eats solids well tho. Am very worried as well below recommended milk intake also refuses water so concerned may get dehidrated - any advice?? He is happy and bouncy in himself but screams the house down if try to give him milk from bottle or cup????

[katyjo]

bump, anyone able to help?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Stop giving the solids! Dont fill his tummy up with stuff that has a low calorific value.

Keep offering b/feeds and formula. Drop the solids for a while, until milk uptake improves.

[moondog]

Your milk is calorific enough and the weight gain was fine.Shame on your HV for suggesting formula and messing up a perfectly fine relationship.

Sorry,I know nothing about formula,but you could turn it round and go back to breastfeeding.It will take some effort though.

Stupid stupid woman.

[callmeovercautious]

Hi ickleannie
You have had a rough time haven't you? Unfortunately you have also suffered from naff HV syndrome. I won't bitch about HV too much as I have experienced some fab ones but there really is no such thing as your BM being less or more calorific!

Perhaps he is just getting used to the formula, it is harder to digest and if he only ever took small amounts of BM then heavy formula will keep him full for longer. Also having weaned early he is filling up on solids so there is no room in his little tummy for the milk.

Some questions that if you can answer will help me and the other MNetters help further:

When do you offer the milk? ie before or after solids or naps etc?

How old is he now? He really should be having milk as his main diet until he is one year as that is where all the vitamins and minerals come from

Has your milk supply gone? do you want to go back to BFing? If so there are some good threads further back on building your milk back up.

Can you mix EBM or formula into some babyrice to thicken it slightly? then spoon feed it to him. That way he is getting mostly milk.


You need an expert I think. Will help you keep your thread bumped! Good Luck!

[callmeovercautious]

x posts with moondog - who I am sure was refering to the HV

[moondog]

Yes!!
Feel very cross for you Ickle.
You have been shat on from a great height.

[puffylovett]

hi not sure if this helps, but my lo feeds v quickly - feed over and done with in about 6 mins unless i burp him mid feed. maybe you had a fast let down and he was getting trapped wind as a result and starting to dread the feeds ? hope you get some good advice from the experts on here

[ickleannie]

thanks all of you, nice to hear some friendly advice. In answer to questions DS is currently 23weeks. I offer milk when he wakes up, before each feed and in between meals before his naps, and before bed, so about 7 times in the day, then a 10.30pm feed and he usually wakes about 3.30/4am (this is usually his best feed) HV suggested dropping this one so he is hungrier in the day but I prefer to ensure he takes it as at least he definately gets something. In desparation have gone for a little and often approach! Have been mixing some formula in to meals, to increase amount taken.

Am still producing milk so may start by trying night feeds again, did always have a fast let down so is possible winds prevented feeding, or he was just full.....it's such a minefield, wish I'd seen this site weeks ago, would probably of done things very differently That said, feeling bit better already Thanx

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Doesnt matter if he feeds in the day or the night - do whatever suits the both of you.

I would consider dropping the amount of solids though - irrespective of what you are mixing it with. Milk will always have more calories than any pureed fruit/veg/baby rice so you are filling him up with empty calories.

[ickleannie]

I'll certainly give it a go, thanks

[puffylovett]

hi ickleannie, i'm still doing 3.30 feeds at 22 weeks, my theory ius that if he's hungry and asking for it then he needs it. Feeling quite vindicated at the mo cos he's just had ANOTHER BIG growth spurt so everyone who says 'he should be sleeping thro by now' (mum !!) can go stuff.

re the wind, i took lo for cranial sacral osteopathy and it turns out he had a traped nerve in right side of jaw so feeding was actually quite painful. Combine that with the fact that he had to literally open his throat and take on lots of wind due to my letdown !! poor child. anywya we're doing fine now and the osteopathy was brilliant.

i would consider doing hatt, go back to bfing if you can, still do the nightfeed and reduce the amount of solids like vvv says.

hope u get on all right, let us know how u go !