wwyd re: force-feeding?

welshgirl

Ugh. It sounds awful to even type. But we're having to consider it. Short of one of those fab (but too expensive) supplementer things, we may have to force-feed M formula and expressed BM from a medicine dropper. She refuses to take the bottle and unless she's gaining weight well on Tuesday, that may be the issue I need to discuss with the nurse/doctor.

So would you do it? We force feed her medicine, and tried one night to do some formula/breast milk, but it was awful, so we haven't tried again. I know she may take a bottle one day, but I dont' think that day will be any time soon based on teh way she's reacting to it. (We've tried different bottles, warm and room temp milk, me, DH, DH with me at the other end of the hosue... I'm going to have a friend who formula fed her LO try this morning, but other than that, I'm not hopeful that she'll suddenly start accepting it.)

beansie23

So sorry you're going through this. Has she stopped nursing?

welshgirl

No, she's still nursing well, just not enough apparently. I've tried a few things this week, like trying to encourage her to feed lots but not sleep with my breast in he mouth (and so using up extra calories by sucking constantly), so fingers crossed that's working and she is gaining properly again!

Just trying to prepare myself I guess

mayanut

When we were just starting to BF, my LC did this thing where she uses the dropper to shoot formula or BM into the corner of his mouth while he was nursing.  Since he was already sucking, he drank it right up.  Maybe you could try that it won't be such an ordeal then.  It took two people to do it at first, but then I was able to do it myself w/ the boppy.  It's essentially the same thing the expensive supplementer things do.

welshgirl

mlbnyy2:

mayanut:

When we were just starting to BF, my LC did this thing where she uses the dropper to shoot formula or BM into the corner of his mouth while he was nursing.  Since he was already sucking, he drank it right up.  Maybe you could try that it won't be such an ordeal then.  It took two people to do it at first, but then I was able to do it myself w/ the boppy.  It's essentially the same thing the expensive supplementer things do.

This!! I remember watching/reading about this and it worked well=) GOOD LUCK!

How does that work? Do you just sort of slightly break the  latch and aim? I like the idea as it sounds a lot less traumatic, but can't quite imagine the logistics, you know?

PGASTL

Search on amazon for "medela supplemental nursing system"

I have seen LC's use this to supplement - the little tube goes in their mouth before they latch on.

mayanut

welshgirl:

mlbnyy2:

mayanut:

When we were just starting to BF, my LC did this thing where she uses the dropper to shoot formula or BM into the corner of his mouth while he was nursing.  Since he was already sucking, he drank it right up.  Maybe you could try that it won't be such an ordeal then.  It took two people to do it at first, but then I was able to do it myself w/ the boppy.  It's essentially the same thing the expensive supplementer things do.

This!! I remember watching/reading about this and it worked well=) GOOD LUCK!

How does that work? Do you just sort of slightly break the  latch and aim? I like the idea as it sounds a lot less traumatic, but can't quite imagine the logistics, you know?

Once they latch, just take the tip of the dropper and ease it right in the corner of their mouth.  It works best if they are in cradle or cross-cradle and on their side.  Then you put the dropper in the corner of their mouth on top.  It takes a little practice to get the position and angle right, but it didn't break the latch on my LO.  You just push the tip in and don't pull the cheek out and the latch should hold.  Then just squeeze it slowly as they nurse.  You'll get the hang of how fast you can go by how much dribbles out.  You don't have to get the liquid far into their mouths, just need to get it past the lips.  They'll suck if from that point.  I recommend  using a burp cloth or something under their heads, it will be messy, especially at first.  That's also why I would recommend using formula at first and save your precious pumped BM until you get it down.

Looking at the supplementer systems online, it seems you might be able to DIY a small tube to the dropper or a small syringe if you want to try to make it easier on yourself.  Maybe check w/ your local LLL or a LC at your ped office.

[Deleted User]

I would do the supplementing while BF rather than force feeding.  Is your LO really, really REALLY underweight or something?  Some kids just gain slow, and I personally would NOT force feed my child.  If she is very underweight, they have those super-calorie supplements that they give to preemies & you could do that.  Otherwise, I'd just enjoy my petite LO. 

lulu3061

rma910:

Search on amazon for "medela supplemental nursing system"

I have seen LC's use this to supplement - the little tube goes in their mouth before they latch on.

This is what they use at the hospital, I would probably try that first if I was in your situation, it just seems like it might be easier and it's not terribly expensive.  I think it was $40 or so. 

beansie23

I have a brand new one from the hospital. I will mail it to you if you want it. Send me an email to beansie23 at yahoo dot com. ETA: I just looked back and see you're in England. The offer still stands but I don't know how long it will take to get there.

welshgirl

kgorman:

I would do the supplementing while BF rather than force feeding.  Is your LO really, really REALLY underweight or something?  Some kids just gain slow, and I personally would NOT force feed my child.  If she is very underweight, they have those super-calorie supplements that they give to preemies & you could do that.  Otherwise, I'd just enjoy my petite LO. 

Well, she's dropped 50 centiles and isn't gaining much AT ALL - 6oz in 5 weeks. She is diddy and the doctor is worried  because she's dropping centiles. She's around the 5th percentile, so on the charts, but dropping...

 

[Deleted User]

welshgirl:

kgorman:

I would do the supplementing while BF rather than force feeding.  Is your LO really, really REALLY underweight or something?  Some kids just gain slow, and I personally would NOT force feed my child.  If she is very underweight, they have those super-calorie supplements that they give to preemies & you could do that.  Otherwise, I'd just enjoy my petite LO. 

Well, she's dropped 50 centiles and isn't gaining much AT ALL - 6oz in 5 weeks. She is diddy and the doctor is worried  because she's dropping centiles. She's around the 5th percentile, so on the charts, but dropping...

 

craaaap!  Well, I'd try the supplement via tube like PP were suggesting while she's feeding.  And the super calorie stuff works great!  One of my good friends had twinnies in the NICU (born at 29 weeks) and they were on that for nearly a year to catch up.  It was nice because they got more dense nutrients in the same volume that they were used to, so it didn't mess them up in that regard - spitting up, cause reflux, etc.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this!  Lots of hugs to you guys!