Breastfeeding, supplementing and reflux issues!

[MegsMummy]

Hi,

My LO is almost 6 weeks old and untill recently has been completly breastfed, she was born at 37weeks and has been sicky since birth, finally the doc has given me Gaviscon to help thicken her feeds, however im finding this very difficult to give whilst breastfeeding, I have been offering it to her after each feed but i struggle to get her to take it...hence she throws the feed straight back up again (unless i express ad mix the gaviscon into the EBM but in this case i have to express at least 2oz which i struggle to do after LO has fed)...She is also wanting to feed every 2 hours or so and doesent seem very content afterwards...I have checked my latch etc and all seems fine...

Her birth weight was 5lbs 14oz, then she was 5lbs 5oz, then 5lbs 10oz, then 6lbs, then 6lbs 3oz, then 6lbs 7oz and then last week she only gained 1oz making her 6lbs 8oz at almost 6 weeks old, my HV suggested putting her on formula top ups to help her gain a little bit, she takes the formula well and is rarely sick on it (as it has the gaviscon in it) so i am hopeful it will help her put weight on...

However, my question is should I still put her to the breast even though she always brings back the milk that she takes and i end up topping her up with formula anyway?? I have expressed today and got 5oz after she took a mixed feed of formula and EBM, so is it possible to just express and add it to the bottle and give it to her that way so that she is still getting some BM or will my supply totaly die?

Im just struggling to see the point of putting her to the breast when she feeds for half hour, throws up ad I have to give her formula anyway? She gets upset, i get frustrated and i just dont know what to do about it, im not opposed to formula at all but would like her to still get some BM if possible?

I would really appreciate some advice 

[Carter'sMama]

It sounds like you are having a rough time right now!  Hugs!!

I must admit that I don't know much about the reflux end of things but I do have a friend going through a very similar situation.  Her DS would spit up everything after a feed and then be crying and hungry and uncomfortable as it sounds like yours is.  She ended up re-feeding and hoping he would keep some of it down.  As a result she had a fantastic milk supply because the demand was high so her body stepped up it's production to meet the need.  Now her lo is on meds and able to keep the milk down and has started solids too (he is 6 months old) and that seems to be helping out a bit.

If you were to just pump I think you would have some difficulty keeping your supply up.  The pump will not stimulate you like your baby will.  I know it seems pointelss to keep feeding when your lo just spits everything up but think about the antibodies she is still getting.  Even if she vomits half an hour after a feed, she has absorbed some of the nutrients from your milk and that is great for her health!  At her weight it is normal to feed every 2 hours (even though it can be tiring for you!).

Let us know how things go!

HTH 

[momtimesfour]

I fought this battle with baby #3 and it was miserable going. You are doing a great job. We had the added difficulty of him not wanting to eat at all - he'd rather starve than be hurting. Poor reflux babies.

There are women who do exclusively pump and feed EBM. If you do this, you need to have a fairly strict pumping schedule. You could also take a galactagogue like Mothers Milk or some such herbal supplement. There's something about those on the kellymom site. I didn't go this exact route... I pumped after every single feed with my LO and then a few extra sessions. My supply was the pits... but I also have PCOS to deal with and was incredibly sleep deprived for the better part of a year... my experience will likely not be yours.

[ScaredyCat]

Hi Megs,
Just wanted to offer my sympathies, as my LO also has reflux and I've been through much the same as you.  I exclusively breastfed until 11 weesk (he was hospitalised at 9.5 weeks where they diagnosed reflux as a reason for v. poor weight gain (still only 9lb 2ozs then).  He was put on ranitidine and domperidone, which I think are mentioned on the reflux 101 page (if only I could find it again on here).  We have to give these 3 times per day before feed and wait 20-30 mins before feeding after giving it (very traumatic period 3 times per day), after 2 weeks of this, he had still only gained 4ozs, so was put on formula top ups - 1 week later had gained 1lb and 2ozs in a week!!!!!  So, have continued breastfeeding with formula top up morning and evening (e.g. 7am feed and 6.30pm feed - he goes to bed after this one).  We have also been prescribed a hypo-allergenic formula as he had blood in some nappies, which can be symptom of dairy intolerance.  Dairy has been listed to exacerbate reflux, so cutting this out of your diet might help, but you should consult dietician before doing so.  So, I don't eat dairy, he has this formula and the meds and it seems to be helping, although we have just had to ask about upping meds due to his weight gain and if I hadn't asked about this, doc would not have done anything.

Anyway, guess my suggestion would be to try to give gaviscon before feed (you can get syringes at chemist), which really help or ask your doc for other medication and to see if you can get by with forumla top ups to breastfeeding.  I still have to feed very regularly, e.g. 6.30am, 9am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 10.30pm, 2am (and sometimes 4am in between) - but it seems that little and often feeding helps - also BW stuff has been invaluable in determining pain/tiredness cries from hunger as the last thing a reflux baby needs is to be fed when hunger's not the problem.

My LO is now 16 weeks and at last weigh in was 11lb 4 ozs, so going much better.  Also is incredibly strong, which is characteristic of reflux babies - just think how strong your little one will be growing up!

I really hope that helps - main thing to say is sympathies 
Also, Mother and Baby Magazine (UK) had an article on reflux in January edition, (which was on sale in December) and you might find info on their website.