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August 2014 Moms
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Feeding advice--can anyone relate?

SteffieR13SteffieR13 member
in August 2014 Moms
Sorry, this is long. I am stuck in limbo right now regarding FF vs. BF.

DS is 6 weeks on Friday. I went into breastfeeding with the thought that I would give it my best try, and if it didn't work out, I wouldn't sweat it. I ended up putting a lot more effort into it than I thought I would, and was proud of myself and was looking forward to continuing.  The first several days were hell--cracked nipples and actively bleeding while I nursed. I was in pain 24/7 and dreaded feeding DS.  The first night home, I was in tears feeding him, about to throw in the towel.  DH called the LC and she had me come in the next day.  She looked at his mouth, saw that he had a "bubble palate", but his latch was fine. She gave me a nipple shield, and it solved everything at that point! 

BFing was going well, I did end up deciding to add a little formula into his diet, but usually ended up being between 2-6 oz. a day.  At about 3-4 weeks old, he started getting horrible gas, and was straining to poop whenever he was awake. When he would poop, it looked normal.  It was so bad to the point that when he was BFing, he would flail like crazy, kick his feet and scream trying to poop.  He would last about 5 minutes on one breast.  I made the decision to nurse when I could, but pump the rest, and mostly feed from a bottle.  This was working out as far as feeding, but he was still in pain.  The pedi said it was all normal at his 1 month visit.  It just got worse, though and after several almost sleepless nights in a row, I needed to try something besides gas drops and gripe water (which worked a little, but not much). I was stressing so much, and very upset that he was in pain.

I felt it may have been something I was eating that he has an intolerance to, or the formula--if it was neither, that's just how DS is!  I was giving Enfamil newborn, and switched to gentlease. I decided to try strictly the new formula for a few days and pumped and froze to keep up my supply. The change was almost immediate.  He was pooping without a fight, sleeping better and SO much happier.  I was excited that my easy baby was back!

This morning I decided to start nursing/giving my milk again. I know it hasn't been very long, but I already notice that he is going back to being fussy and in pain again, and I am devastated. I don't think it is milk that he would be intolerant to, because the formula is milk based. My diet also is really not that outrageous--and I cannot think of anything else in it that he would cause an issue. 

I was curious if anyone has had a similar situation with breast milk causing more of an issue with their LO than formula?  What did you try to help out your LO, or did you decide to FF instead?  I am perfectly OK with EFF if that is what is best for him (as well as mine and DH's sanity), but I do not want to stop pumping in case there is something that will work.

Thank you for listening!  Sorry it is so long.
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Re: Feeding advice--can anyone relate?

  • SteffieR13SteffieR13 member
    That is a good point--I will take a good look at how much of those things are in my diet!  Wheat is definitely a big one.
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  • herecomesthesunherecomesthesun member
    You could have a forceful letdown or also oversupply which can can both be bothersome when a baby wants the flow to be just so. We struggle with both and LO will fight at the breast. I remain calm and watchful and pull my nipple out when I can see he struggles. It has helped us quite a bit.
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  • SteffieR13SteffieR13 member
    @herecomesthesun‌ could that be related to the chronic gas as well?
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  • herecomesthesunherecomesthesun member
    edited October 2014
    Oh yes! If babies have to gulp down the milk, they can swallow much more air. My LO can burp louder than I can and he is very windy down below. We use Mylicon drops and they are a lifesaver when he is gassy (upper and lower)

    I would check out Kelly mom.com and look up oversupply and forceful letdown. It may or may not be a problem but it's a possibility.
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