Help! Feel like I'm making a big mess out of LO's feedings...

bethann3181

I think I really jumped the gun with trying too many things with LO's feedings so far, and now I need help.  I am BFing DS (2 1/2 weeks old), but also am pumping and supplementing with formula at times, as he won't always latch  well.  BF was going well when he would latch, but he started getting fussy fast afterward, which made me think he wasn't getting enough.  I was also worried that he was possibly gassy, since I have been very gassy recently (I am lactose intolerant, and had been eating a little too many dairy products).   We started giving him 2 oz of pumped breast milk in a bottle so we knew he was getting enough (we have Born Free and Dr. Brown's and Level 1 nipples on both), but he would suck the milk down so fast, that he could vomit it all back up within a half hour.  I talked to my pediatrician, and she suggested Similac Soy Formula, so we could monitor how much he was getting, and straigthen out gas problems he could have been getting from my milk (in the meantime, I have stopped consuming any dairy products).  We gave him his last 6 feedings with the Similac, and he is so fussy, he can't be calmed down.  Now, I'm reading soy can casue constipation, and he hasn't popped in over 12 hours. 

I'm not sure what to try next for him, and I want him to be happy, and for feedings to be less stressful with the constant not knowing what's best.  Any suggestions?

hikerbeth

deep breath.  It's not a big mess.

I would stick to the nursing and stay away from bottles.  Nurse all. the. time. if that's what your baby wants.  He's building your supply.

When you do give him some milk in a bottle, keep him upright for a while after feeding. . . and burp him frequently during the feeding.  Cutting dairy definitely helped the vomiting issues with my DD as well, but I didn't supplement in the meantime, just kept nursing.

harmonywolf

I too recommend that you keep nursing.  I EBF and DS is a "snacker" at times.  We have to burp frequently to keep DS from spitting up large quantities of milk. Also, breast milk is a natural laxative so if start feeding your LO that, poop will happen.  Just stick with it and hang in there!

lesalia217

harmonywolf:

I too recommend that you keep nursing.  I EBF and DS is a "snacker" at times.  We have to burp frequently to keep DS from spitting up large quantities of milk. Also, breast milk is a natural laxative so if start feeding your LO that, poop will happen.  Just stick with it and hang in there!

exactly what the first two posters said.  Keep BFing.  Don't worry, fussing after eating could mean other things too (burp, dairy issues, gas)

itsspykitty

Frustrating, isn't it? He could be hearing up for the 3 week growth spurt. I remember with DD she was hysterical at this age. DS is only 1 week so I can't speak from that experience. 

I don;t have any advice other than this is normal and will pass (though every hour feels like a day, huh?) 

itsspykitty

I forgot to mention- go see a lactation consultant. I just went today and it was a big help with my latch issues. If anything- to guarantee he is getting enough. They weight baby pre and post feeding so if you see he is getting enough ounces that will build your confidence up- which is priceless. 

lesalia217

itsspykitty:

I forgot to mention- go see a lactation consultant. I just went today and it was a big help with my latch issues. If anything- to guarantee he is getting enough. They weight baby pre and post feeding so if you see he is getting enough ounces that will build your confidence up- which is priceless. 

 I agree, the pre and post weighing was so reassuring.  best idea ever!

ChristinaD09

Everything I've read said baby constipation has nothing to do with frequency, but rather the hardness of the poops.