Nursing not working out...what would you do?

JandBandB

I hope this post makes sense. I am totally conflicted:

My DD is 2 weeks and KEEPS losing weight.  She sleeps ALL the time and at her pedi appt today, the pedi said that our DD is sleeping so much b/c she is NOT eating and does NOT have the energy to be awake and cry.  So in essence, our daughter is starving!

She was born tongue-tied, so we had it snipped and worked with a LC to teach her to suck.  I guess it did not work. I thought our DD was "cluster feeding" only to find out that she was just trying to get milk....she stopped wetting diapers (thus why we went to the pedi today), etc.  Pedi said that my milk is in, but DD is NOT stimulating the milk that much since she is not sucking right.

 So here is the dilemma.  Pedi said to give formula.  I thought breastmilk was the BEST "food" for a baby.  Why push for formula?  I can pump (though it would be hard) and then suppliment with formuia.  Pedi is pushing the formula hard! We will 100% do what is right for our baby.  The idea of pumping seems impractical for our house with two other toddlers, the house to run, etc.  I feel like I am failing my daughter.

What would you do:

Just give the formula and throw in the towel on nursing?

Suppliment: Pump BM and formula

Just pump and let DD nurse

Thanks for your opinion.

ImThisBabysMom

If she can't nurse a breast....are they giving you a specific bottle type she can suck? If the problem is her sucking.....I don't see how a bottle fixes that.

I would pump and formula feed. Breast milk is proven to be best, so if you can get her any, I would. Even if it is only temporary.

JaiMacreiberts

Have them test your BM to see how rich it is. If your LO can get enough from BM, then there's no need for formula. In the meantime, supplement with formula (I would pump and give BM as well) until you can get the results back. Good luck!

MarxieVonTrapp

Breastmilk is the best, but formula comes a close second.  Many babies are fed with formula and turn out just as wonderful as breastfed babies.

If you're unhappy and uncomfortable, baby is starving and not eating properly, I'd just go with formula and call it a day.  You need to do what's best for your baby and if pumping won't work for whatever reason, just go and buy the Enfamil.  Whatever you decide needs to be best for you and your daughter--and if that means formula, that's okay.  You're not failing your daughter by stopping nursing--you're making sure she's fed and fat and happy.  

danandbethg

My LO couldn't nurse due to inverted nipples. He lost a pound in 3 days prior to discharge from the hospital. My milk came in fine (I had a pump, so I pumped to see if I was getting milk...and I was). So, I gave up on BF'ing and just strictly pump. I agree with the other ladies...if the sucking is the issue and not your milk, how does formula fix the issue? A specific nipple might be a much better idea. We have used 4 and finally found one LO likes (and man has it helped with his gas!!!). Maybe try a bunch of nipples with your breastmilk til your LO finds one that works for her? Good luck mama.

RichInLove

I would probably do the following:

- Nurse her from the breast like normal and supplement with formula after

- While doing that, make an appointment with an LC. It might be that you need to see someone several times (or several LC's).

- Keep nursing from the breast and supplementing until you can really figure out what's going on, then decide from there...

I wouldn't throw in the towel until I explore all possibilities.

biblionerd

JandBandB:

I hope this post makes sense. I am totally conflicted:

My DD is 2 weeks and KEEPS losing weight.  She sleeps ALL the time and at her pedi appt today, the pedi said that our DD is sleeping so much b/c she is NOT eating and does NOT have the energy to be awake and cry.  So in essence, our daughter is starving!

She was born tongue-tied, so we had it snipped and worked with a LC to teach her to suck.  I guess it did not work. I thought our DD was "cluster feeding" only to find out that she was just trying to get milk....she stopped wetting diapers (thus why we went to the pedi today), etc.  Pedi said that my milk is in, but DD is NOT stimulating the milk that much since she is not sucking right.

 So here is the dilemma.  Pedi said to give formula.  I thought breastmilk was the BEST "food" for a baby.  Why push for formula?  I can pump (though it would be hard) and then suppliment with formuia.  Pedi is pushing the formula hard! We will 100% do what is right for our baby.  The idea of pumping seems impractical for our house with two other toddlers, the house to run, etc.  I feel like I am failing my daughter.

What would you do:

Just give the formula and throw in the towel on nursing?

Suppliment: Pump BM and formula

Just pump and let DD nurse

Thanks for your opinion.

I'm not quite sure where the hesitation comes in when you say yourself that your daughter is starving honestly. It is normal for BF babies to gain slower, but to lose weight is bad. When they get to the point of not having wet diapers you have issues. If you have time to pump and bottle feed it and you want to, then do it. If not, give her formula. BM might be "best", but it;s obviously not in your case where she is starving in her attempts to bf.

biblionerd

and as far as being tongue-tied, it's much different for them to suck on a bottle and boob. DS was tongue-tied (and snipped) and could never relearn his latch. Bottle nipples are easier for them to suck on. 

ImThisBabysMom

OP, don't get me wrong when I say breast milk is best. I just am stating that as a fact. So I just mean, if you are able to pump and she can get some that way, that is good. If not, yes, I agree with the other posters....formula is great. There is nothing wrong with formula fed babies at all. You are not doing baby an injustice if you simply cannot provide any breast milk.

biblionerd

last thing (I promise). This just sounds very similar to DS so I feel lik I've been through it and feel your pain. Your pedi is most likely pushing formula hard because physically BF'ing is hard on them and takes energy. If your LO is truly to the point of not even having the energy to stay awake the in my opinion you shouldnt waste that energy trying to BF first and follow with formula when they're already exhausted at that point. 

dojo1

You have to do what you want to do in your heart.  I pumped and breast fed for the last two weeks and it is HARD but not undoable.  That being said, I worked my butt off to get my supply up with the pump and then worked my butt off to get off the pump and get lo on breast alone.

kasper923

I'd continue to nurse and supplement with formula.  I'd also continue to see the LC, maybe even a different one.  Don't feel bad if you choose to use formula, your job is to feed your baby.  Sounds like she really may need something now so maybe try pumping and feeding.  If that's not feasible, feel comfortable in using formula.  That's what I would do.

Annie234567

I have the same question as a PP -- if her sucking is the problem, how does a bottle solve it?  I'd call a lactation consultant for a home visit and see what she says.  Not all pediatricians are experts on BFing or nutrition.  Not only is breast milk "best," but there are some drawbacks to formula, particularly dairy-based formulas, and while I respect that everyone's situation is different and their choice their own, I personally wouldn't want to resort to formula yet since it can interfere with your ability to provide enough milk in the future.

Kaiene

I would meet with an LC, pronto.

DS had problems latching and sucking.  The LC gave us instructions for suck training, then nursing, pumping and supplementing with a bottle of expressed milk.  However, once DS started getting that bottle of milk, he really regressed with his latch at the breast, despite the suck training and using a nipple shield.

Right now I am EPing, but we will be moving to formula once I am all dried up.  It's not my first choice either, but it will be best for everyone.  I hate pumping.

snoangel79

kasper923:

I'd continue to nurse and supplement with formula.  I'd also continue to see the LC, maybe even a different one.  Don't feel bad if you choose to use formula, your job is to feed your baby.  Sounds like she really may need something now so maybe try pumping and feeding.  If that's not feasible, feel comfortable in using formula.  That's what I would do.

This! My kids are now both on formula because my supply sucked horribly. I don't feel guilty. Breast milk may be "best" but not if mom is loosing her mind and baby is loosing weight! Also, when people really make you feel guilty (I had someone do that to me). I told them that my mom breast fed me and I was sick all the time as a child and got cancer at 23 and that shut them right up <: so in my case breast milk didn't help me a darn bit!