Breastfeeding, tongue tie and silent reflux

[Katielouise84]

Thank you.

I'll have a read of that 

Oh I'd love to ebf, it breaks my heart giving him formula and I hate doing it. 

[Fiver]

Instead of the cotton bud, have you tried doing some baby massage on his tummy?  There are a good few movements you can use that help them to move wind and whatnot more easily.  Some BF LOs just don't go all that often.

I agree with PP who suggested using a different hold for the less preferred breast, whether that's a rugby ball hold or something more upright.  You CAN get through this.

[Katielouise84]

Yeah I keep trying it.

I'm sure I've got foremilk/hind milk imbalance, do you have any suggestions of what to do?

Can you express before a feed??

[Katielouise84]

Another thing that doesn't help one little bit is my OH saying after every BF he's still hungry. So we end up giving him a bottle.

He's not said it but I know he wants me to give up bfing, makes me more determined to carry on!

[*Ali*]

Here are some ideas on the tummy massage Massage, Colic, and recognising various cries info.
We also have this FAQ on oversupply if you think you have that. Oversupply and Overactice (Forceful) Let-Down
And this has more info on foremilk and hindmilk http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/foremilk-hindmilk/
What makes you think you have a foremilk imbalance?

Have you considered pumping and offering a bottle of expressed milk rather than formula? That would help balance your supply to his needs.

[Fiver]

It could well be that what your husband is thinking is hunger is actually wind and LO has actually had enough.  Sadly, the more bottles of supplement you offer, the less milk you will end up producing as a result, which leads to a vicious spiral.  Expressing off the first little bit and doing Breast compression as feeding on each breast slows could help even out the foremilk/hindmilk thing (or just compressions).

[C&B&E]

I just wanted to jump on to offer hugs and support too.  Both of my lo's have had tongue-tie, acid reflux, and MSPI, I'll be back later after lo's bedtimes 

[Katielouise84]

I've just been googling to be honest and came across this..... http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=18

It's him all over.

Oh I know the whole cycle of formula and not making enough :-(

Going to try expressing and doing block feeding see if it makes a difference. How long does it take to show a change in LO?

Thanks ladies :-)

[Erin M]

More (((hugs)))
The block feeding generally only takes a few days to help.  Just keep putting him back on that first breast if he seems like he's still hungry.  I'm sure you've read it, but frequent feeding is often just a baby's way of dealing with a sore tummy. 

[Katielouise84]

He's now screaming and won't feed and he's hungry. I don't get what I'm doing so wrong??

[ZacsMumme]

We had this at 10 is weeks, or maybe closer to 12. It was a GS...they are terrible for refluxers
It was at this age we needed a med review and when I had a lot of bf trouble with imbalance. ITA about frequent short feeds helping them cope its discomfort, unfortunately it can make itowrse sometimes

Have you tried feeding him drowsy? In the dark, while singing or rocking?

[Fiver]

Yup, had the same at GS time here, but no reflux.  Found DD was always overtired when she came to feed and then wouldn't despite being hungry.  It's nothing you're doing wrong.  Easier said than done, but try to relax and don't try to 'force' anything.  Some mums find getting in the bath with LO on their tummy in the warm water helps LO relax and go to the breast.

[Katielouise84]

When he's sleepy he feeds lovely. It's when he's awake during feeds that I can't feed him. He holds himself rigid bobs on and off and cries.

OH is currently giving him a bottle of EBM I hardly get any when I express, it takes a day to get 1 feed.

Wasn't expecting a GS for a while. Night have to ring drs about meds. It's done says where I don't even think he's got silent reflux, I never hear him gurgling or anything no acid smell on him.

He just gets himself more and more worked up and I can't settle him I end up leaving him with OH as breastfeeding is supposed to settle them. He's doing a good job if making me feel like a failure.

I have to give him formula as I never have enough expressed.

I daren't go out with him as I'm embarrassed at the noise he makes crying during bfing, feel like a prisoner. 

[*Ali*]

Big hugs hun.

Can you try only feeding him when sleepy for a bit to get your supply up?

[Katielouise84]

But when he's awake he's hungry and I can't feed him then and that's when bottles make their appearance.
It's always on an evening too so OH does my head in saying he's hungry when I know!

I just feel like I'm guessing all the time trying to find out a reason for him being like he is.