Combination Feeding
in Baby
Hi Ladies
I'm looking for some help with feeding please.
LO is 11 days old and has been combination fed from the start due to needing to stabalise her Blood sugar as I had gestational diabetes. We were initially feeding 10 mins on each breast while in hospital and then topping up with SMA.
When I came home Midwife advised that I stop breast feeding and express milk for lo while I allowed cracked nipples to heal, as LO is not great at latching on. Which we did, Midwife then suggested a change in formula as LO was being sick after feeds so have now started using Cow & Gate.
This seemed ok for a few days until I tried to introduce more breast feeding, now LO will spend 15 mins or so on each breast or have expressed breast milk and still cry for more, so we offer formula, the combination of the two seems to make her sick as well, but if she just has one or other she seems better.
But I just don't know what to do, I'm obviously not able to provide enough breast milk as she won't settle and screams after a feed. But I want to try and give her the best start so don't want to give up altogether and just feed formula.
Is anyone in a similar situation, or have any advice for me - is any one formula better than the rest, what have others found? Really need some help, as this is really starting to get me down as I don't know what to do for the best and just keep getting conflicting advice from the so called professionals - at the end of the day they're not the ones sitting at home with a screaming baby or one that keeps being sick!
Any advice gratefully received. ?
Cx
I'm looking for some help with feeding please.
LO is 11 days old and has been combination fed from the start due to needing to stabalise her Blood sugar as I had gestational diabetes. We were initially feeding 10 mins on each breast while in hospital and then topping up with SMA.
When I came home Midwife advised that I stop breast feeding and express milk for lo while I allowed cracked nipples to heal, as LO is not great at latching on. Which we did, Midwife then suggested a change in formula as LO was being sick after feeds so have now started using Cow & Gate.
This seemed ok for a few days until I tried to introduce more breast feeding, now LO will spend 15 mins or so on each breast or have expressed breast milk and still cry for more, so we offer formula, the combination of the two seems to make her sick as well, but if she just has one or other she seems better.
But I just don't know what to do, I'm obviously not able to provide enough breast milk as she won't settle and screams after a feed. But I want to try and give her the best start so don't want to give up altogether and just feed formula.
Is anyone in a similar situation, or have any advice for me - is any one formula better than the rest, what have others found? Really need some help, as this is really starting to get me down as I don't know what to do for the best and just keep getting conflicting advice from the so called professionals - at the end of the day they're not the ones sitting at home with a screaming baby or one that keeps being sick!
Any advice gratefully received. ?
Cx
0
Replies
obviously u had to give formula for medical reasons but if it is not required now and you want to bf i wouldn't give it to her as what shell do is fill up on it and will not be telling your body to make mlre milk so it wont make enough and so the cycle continues.
bf IS tough one of the hardest things i have stuck out so your feeligs are normal too chick - you do whst is best for you as happy mummy = happy baby
my ds1 was bf for 2 weeks (severe anaemia on me = no milk) and was then bottle fed, he is alive and well today so its not the end of the world if u have to do it xx
lastly if she is being sick on formula it vould be thst she is allergic and perhapd you could try a soya milk to see how thaat goes - cow and gate do infasoy
good luck xx
Sounds like a crap HV to be honest who told you to use formula only cos of sore nipples, sore nipples are because of a bad latch and if you saw a breastfeeding counsellor they will eb able to help you with that, the HV can help you get in touch with the BF counsellor.
I have never heard of a baby that can't stomach breastmilk, I should think it's the formula making her sick. How about ditching the formula and just giving her breast for 4 days, long enough for supply to get up and see what happens? Do this in consultation with HV/doc to make sure she's ok for gaining weight and sugars, maybe get daily checks or support on this during those 4 days. But basically nature would sort this out given the time and opportunity and baby would be better off in the long run as breast is better nutritionally. Good luck.
[Modified by: dollywotsit on May 29, 2010 07:07 PM]
I did this for 3 months and it seemed to work well, fingers crossed you find something that works well for you and your new baby girl, and congratulations!