feeding issues after problems had been resolved, very upset, need advice!

[em_here]

Sorry if this is long, and may need to go on EASY board?!.  My babe had severe reflux and cows milk intolerance, which was finally diagnosed after 3 months.  She is now on Neocate on prescription and has Zantac which has been adjusted to her weight as she has got bigger (meds adjusted one week ago).  She is now 18 weeks old.  We used to have severe feeding problems with her, and introduced solids on ped advice.  She used to take only 2ozs per feed and when she went onto all the meds plus solids she was a changed baby and I started EASY. 

This is what my routine ended up looking like, which was fab

E 8am (6oz plus brekkie)
A 8-10
S 10 -12

E 12 (6oz)
A 12-2
S 2-4

E 4 (6oz)
A 4-5
S 5 (40 min nap)

E 8pm 6 oz plus solids
A bath
S 8:30

It was working so well. She now has thrush in her mouth which I am treating but her feeding has gone sooooo down the pan, she drinks half and then SCREAMS and flips about if you try to put it back in!  Take today as my example! (never did DF never worked)


8pm drank 1oz before bed plus solids (offered bottle first)
2:30am 4ozs no prob

8am tried to feed, she drank 1oz so mixed the milk into her brekkie
1:30 Finally cried with hunger, had 5 ozs but only 2 happily, the other 3 she flipped about and cried with!
5:30 5ozs, messing about but finally took it
7pm decided early bed, was so fed up, offered bottle, drank an oz, only had 4 spoons of solids before crying

Her naps are OK still, maybe a little shorter but I don't find that an issue.  I have tried changing teat sizes, no change, except spluttering with fast flow.  Tried my DR Brown bottle, no different.  Tried feeding less solids, no change.  What on earth is going on?!?!? She is very big babe, 16 lbs and chunky with loads of fat rolls.  Maybe too fat! but I know that 17 ozs is not enough, when she was drinking 24 at least I was happy she was getting enough and so was my hv.  Am scared she will dehydrate! She also keeps farting loudly during feeds but think that is wind from crying. Any ideas would be soooooooo appreciated!

[oilerbaby]

You have an awesome schedule!  I'm sorry you're having troubles right now - it's hard when they squirm and don't feed that nice.  I wouldn't worry about dehydration - it takes a severe lack of fluids to become dehydrated.  You can always try offering her some water inbetween feeds too.  My second dd was a really hard feed and we just ended up laying her beside us on the couch propped her up on a pillos and propped the bottle or in her carseat with her bottle propped - it worked for her and I don't know why she didn't want to be held but whatever works I guess.  Sorry I don't have more suggestions for you...

[em_here]

Thank you, I was so proud of it, so now I am sad its all going so wrong  I tried propping the bottle once, she just flicked it away, believe me I tried everything when she was really bad, thank you for your kind words of support 

[* Paula *]

Hugs, I am sorry you are going through a rough time.

It could just be that your lo's mouth is very sore and this is why she is not feeding very well. Is she on antibiotics for the thrush?  Antibiotics can also lower the appetite.

I would offer water in between feeds to make sure that your lo is getting enough liquids.

Once the thrush has cleared up completely, she will probably go back to eating properly.

Paula

[em_here]

I may sound sooo stupid, but did not realise the thrush could make the mouth THAT sore!You are probably right, am probably stressing over something that will resolve, she is on Nystatin for her mouth but does not seem to be working v well! Maybe I will try Daktarin as that worked with my son. Thanks for your suggestions 

[* Paula *]

hugs, I am sure it can be quite painful for your DD.

Please keep us posted on how she is doing.

[DJs mummy]

Now in return for you answering my post over on the reflux board I'll do the same for you  

I would def say the thrush may be the culprit.  Hannah had thrush from about 2 weeks til a few weeks ago.  Most of the time it wasn't a problem but there were times when it flared up and REALLY bothered her.  To the point that she just refused to feed.  At those times we used the Daktarin and it usually only took about 24 hours to see an improvement enough to sort out the feeding issues.  (Oh and we also found the Nystatin drops did nothing for her)

Hope you soon get back to that FANTASTIC routine you were on.  

[em_here]

Hi again DJ's mummy, we keep bumping into each other! Thanks for your comments, I found nystatin did nothing for my DS either but I thought i would give it the benefit of the doubt. I have some Daktarin, bought some when she was born (just in case like my 1st babe, she had thrush from a newborn so I would not have to go out and get some).  I will start that tomorrow morn.  I hope my routine falls back into place I will be sooooo chuffed,

Thanks ladies you are all sooooooo wonderful, have some hugs and kisses on me 

[em_here]

Oh yeah and she has thrush on her privates, all the doc said was wait and see if it goes away.  I wasn't aware it could go away and think he is a prat, I would have told him myself but DP took her docs 

Anything you can recommend for this as she is covered in horrible red weals!

[* Paula *]

I would check with the chemist - they may be able to recommend an over the counter remedy.

Hugs, poor baby 

[NKmommy]

Hi!  PPs have already given great advice, but I wanted to give some HUGS and tell you we've been there, too.  DS #1 had combo of severe, severe GERD as well as repeat thrush infections.  Nystatin also did nothing for him.  Switching to Diflucan made a world of difference. 

As far as dehydration, how many wet diapers a day?  That would be a real indicator  (I think it was less than 4ish a day, and she is dehydrated?)  Also, if her soft spot is sunken when she is lying down, definitely call doc.  Another sign is if you lightly pinch the skin on her hand, and it doesn't immediately go flat again. 

Hopefully it is just the thrush causing her to not eat.  Once it goes away, if she is still refusing to eat, then maybe she needs a med switch for reflux.

Crossing my fingers that she is feeling better soon!   

[em_here]

I know, and there was me thinking she was being a madam, just didn't occur to me that it was painful, I know that when I get it *down below TMI it can be sore  * but just did not make the connection?!?!? It did not bother my DS at all but he was happy whatever happened!

Sure nappies have been normal but will keep an eye.  Didn't know about the pinch back of the hand one but I will do that if I suspect the dehydration.

Thanks I will def ask chemist tomorrow and get my happy well fed baby back

Hugs to you all and thanks again  

[DJs mummy]

We used Daktarin (not the oral gel though) down below as well.  In fact she started up with thrush down there last week.  Luckily we had some of the cream left so I started applying it morning and before bed and it's cleared up nicely.
Hope that helps x