Question about formula and spitting up and BFing

IBackBevo

My LO is not technically a preemie (c-section due to pre-e and IUGR at 37 weeks) but  I didn't know where else to post this.  LO had IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and so is small and had to spend a very short time in the NICU.  Since we were seperated after birth due to him being in NICU and LO was underweight due to the IUGR, they started him on Similac Neosure formula for premature babies.  While he was in the hospital, he did fine but since coming home he has started spitting it up...and not just a little.  After each feeding of formula, he pretty much spits up his entire meal...usually about 20-30 minutes afterwards.  He does not do this with breast milk.  We are having to supplement the breast milk because I do not make enough (I'm pumping) and he needs to be gaining weight.  Anyone else experience this?  Any tips?  We have tried using different bottles and we always burp.  Nothing seems to help much.

My second question has to do with breast feeding.  I have not had any luck feeding from the breast.  My little one does not seem to latch very well. He will put his mouth on there but doesn't seem to be able to get much to come out. Then he just gets frusterated.  I feel like part of this may be because he got used to the bottle.  I also wonder if it is partly because his little mouth is so small (and maybe his sucking reflex not strong enough) and my boobs and nipples are pretty big.  Pre-pregnancy, I was a 36DD.  One boob is pretty much as big as him and he cannot text book latch because the size of his mouth in proportion to my nipple makes it impossible.  I have been pumping and giving it to him in a bottle, but I would like to try to get him to take it from my breast if possible.  Anyone else have this problem with their "little" little one?  Any suggestions?

urbanflowerpot

May I ask how much LO weighs (birth weight and current)? You're welcome to post here, btw, we get quite a few IUGR babes.

This is TMI but are you including your areola in your nipple size? Because that shouldn't matter. Have you seen a LC? I'd suggest keeping LO on your bare chest as much as possible - even if it's all day.

Has LO been checked for silent reflux? also common in small babies.  

Kadyra

Glad to hear your LO is home IBackBevo! We miss you on HR.

PP is right.  An LC with experience in preemies and/or IUGR babies would be a big help.  they can take a look at your nipples and make an assessment on them too.  And check for tongue tie.

IBackBevo

LO has not been diagnosed with reflux.  We have not had our first pedi appt yet.  It is next Tuesday.  However, I do think it sounds like it could be acid reflux.  He does do the crying and arching his back after he eats alot of the time.  I will definately ask about that.

He was 5 lbs 1 ounce at birth and got down to about 4.75 lbs.  I am not sure how much he is now, but I do think he has gained back up to at least his birth weight if not more.

I was including my areola in the size of my nipple.  He can put his mouth over my nipple, but not the entire bottom part of my aereola.  I did meet with an LC in the hospital 3 times.  It wasn't particularly helpful.  She just kept telling me to keep trying and he would get it (which I have), but never once did he actually latch and get milk.   I have tried a nipple shield and that doesn't seem to help much either.  Thanks for the suggestions, though!