Infantreflux.org | Two Feeding Questions

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December 24, 2006 at 11:26 am #20983

Anonymous
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Hello Mommies

I have two questions for you regarding my son who was recently diagnosed with reflux and seems to have had a flare-up with it getting worse in the last week. He is eight weeks old.

1) Emmett is breastfed and supplemented with formula. The first day that his symptoms appeared to be getting worse (more coughing, more puke, distress) I decided to switch his formula from Enfamil Lipil to Enfamil Gentlease. I kind of suspected a milk allergy because he keeps getting a rash along with other reflux symptoms. Anyhow, the first feeding of the new formula seemed to bring on the worst episode of reflux so far! As far as his discomfort level anyway. And I found myself wondering, is this formula making things even worse? Or was it just the natural progression of the reflux being bad that day? So, to make my question more clear–no matter what, doesn’t it seem that Enfamil Gentlease with the partially broken down proteins would be easier on his system than Enfamil Lipil? It’s only been two days and I don’t want to be too rash in switching him back. Maybe it will take a week or so for me to notice improvement with that formula. Does that seem correct?

2) Is there anyone else struggling with breastfeeding and supplementing? Unfortunately due to nursing problems (his poor nursing and now my lower supply) I can’t exclusively breastfeed at the moment–although I wish like heck I could. I have a hard time gauging if I am overfeeding him when I supplement with a bottle after nursing. He seems to have more spitting up episodes after those feeding sessions. (Rather than when I add pumped breastmilk to his formula and just bottle feed.) I’m thinking of going back to my lactation consultant to have him weighed before and after a nursing session to see just how much he is really taking in. He can’t afford to be missing any calories, but I don’t want to over feed him. Strictly pumping is such a hassle! And I know they say it is hard to gauge what the baby really gets at the breast by your pumping output, so I’m confused! Any advice?

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! I feel like all of my threads so far have been novellas, LOL!

Channy2006-12-24 11:28:18

December 24, 2006 at 1:26 pm #20986

Anonymous
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I would suggest that you only supplement if he genuinely seems to be still hungry after nursing. Over feeding definitely worsens reflux, so try to let him tell you how much he needs. If you’re worried you can ask your doctor to do a weekly weight check which will tell you if he’s gaining enough. My clinic didn’t even charge for it and it was a great way to have peace of mind in those early weeks.

Laura’s intro has some links for nursing moms that may be helpful.

As for the formula question, yes you generally need to stick with a formula for two weeks in order to know if the baby will tolerate it or not.

December 24, 2006 at 9:50 pm #21006

Anonymous
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Channy,

When my daughter was first born I was told that my milk supply was taking too long to come in, and to pump after every feed(to encourage milk production) and to supplement with formula. (I was told I had a low supply too…but now I know it was the reflux) Almost every time I gave my daugter formula, she spit the entire thing up. (I gave it after nursings…kind of “just in case”). I didn’t know anything about reflux or anything then, but i wish I did. Also, I wish I had just paid attention to my daughters wet diapers, instead of supplementing just becasue I was told to. I know you don’t want to over or under feed, but I think if your little one is having plenty of wet diapers, then you know you are OK. I have read that a lot of reflux babies will eat even when they are not hungry because it soothes the burn…if your DS is having wet diapers, he is getting enough. Also, if you try and pump after every feed (I know a pain, but I only had to do it for a few days) you might find your supply to go way up, and then you can quit the formula all together.

Good luck and keep us posted.

December 24, 2006 at 10:33 pm #21011

Anonymous
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I agree with B’s mom about the pumping after feeds. I was a pumping mom because my reflux babies would not nurse so I learned every trick in the book to increase and maintain supply. Pumping after a feeding and continuing to pump 2-5 minutes after the flow stops will really help boost supply. Also your early morning supply is the highest so if you do this a couple of times in the early morning it will be especially helpful.

December 25, 2006 at 12:04 am #21018

Anonymous
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Thank you SO much for your advice ladies–I will try the pumping after feeds. I have a nice hospital grade pump (Ameda) so I will be doing that for sure!

December 25, 2006 at 11:41 am #21019

Anonymous
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i dont know much about breastfeeding. but if you think he might have an allergy to milk, and you are cutting it out of your diet, you might want to cut it out of the formula feeds as well?? soo,you know if the diet with out milk helps? you might want to try a hypoallergenic formula …. if you like to stick with the enfamil brand, they have nutramigen…

December 30, 2006 at 3:00 am #21327

Anonymous
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Thanks for all of the advice ladies!

Shane’sMom–the Enfamil Gentlease has 1/4 the lactose, and he seems to be doing pretty well with it now. I didn’t want to go to soy without being certain because that is what I have been advised to do. But I am wondering about some of the other brands you ladies have mentioned!

Most of all, I just want to get rid of the formula all together. And I am happy to say that the advice of my LC matched everyone’s advice here–I am giving fulltime breastfeeding another shot!

I haven’t switched over completely yet but I am trying…..

December 30, 2006 at 9:50 am #21332

Anonymous
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Good luck. I hope full time breast feeding works well for both of you!

December 30, 2006 at 10:12 am #21335

Anonymous
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ndrose wrote: Good luck. I hope full time breast feeding works well for both of you!

Thanks!
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