Search Results for 'breast feeding'

[Anonymous]

Anne,

I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. Your last post gave me goosebumps. I know how you feel. I just hate that your little one is hurting, and especially that he’s not growing – that should be a HUGE concern to your ped and your ped GI. I can’t believe the way these doctors minimize reflux the way they do. My ped told me Caden would just outgrow his in time and not to worry! How do you not worry about your own infant who is crying in pain every day and in your case not gaining properly?!?

Mine finally prescribed Prevacid 30mg (just like you), but it never helped my son either. I was so discouraged, but in time Caden did better on his own (thank goodness). However, he wasn’t losing weight. He always comfort nursed and gained appropriately. So, I didn’t have that concern, but I HATED that he was uncomfortable and felt that there was nothing I could do

I’m going to pray for you today. I know how hard this must be for you. Especially not having friends/family close by. I’m lucky that I do have family close by, but they all work full-time, so they couldn’t really help me much when Caden was a newborn, and I needed the most help. My mom actually took off work on several occasions to come help out. My husband also took off days to relieve me so I could rest a little bit. It didn’t take the worry away, but it did allow me to rest a little bit (when I could – sometimes I couldn’t rest for worrying about Caden). I think it would help you to just have someone you could talk to.

This board can be a lifesaver. Even though you’re not able to “talk” to these ladies, you can email and get responses back that can truly change your whole attitude for the day. There were many days that I came on here and posted something I was worried about and got TONS of responses – it was truly helpful and gave me the momentum to keep going each day, especially when I was in the middle of the 24/7 crying spree that we dealt with until Caden was about 3 months old. 4 months was the major turning point for him, and 6 months was the BEST! He is doing SO much better now at 7 months, and I am so thankful that he is finally outgrowing this reflux mess!

I am also very much pro-breastfeeding and have nursed all 3 of our biological sons. I almost gave up this time, because I kept thinking it just had to be related to the breastfeeding, but I am SO glad I stuck it out. Now, we’re going for the long haul. He’s 7 months old, and I want to make it the full year or longer if he wishes to. Our other two gave up nursing on their own around 1 year of age.

I am also pro-babywearing, and it has worked for Caden, but he fought it at first too. I just kept trying, and now he enjoys the carrier if he’s in the right mood. He also takes naps in it nicely when he won’t go down for a nap. He never liked the sling style carrier, but he loves the Mei-Tai. Have you tried that type of carrier? I’m sure you know about the different types since you make/sell them. But, I thought I’d mention it in just in case.

Anyway, just know that we’re all pulling for you here! I agree with the others to keep pressing your doctor for more solutions, increased meds, different types of meds, anything that will help. Since your baby isn’t gaining weight properly, they should consider it top priority to try different things to help him! Please keep us posted.

[Anonymous]

Me too, Shelby. I have been thinking about Claire and wondering how things are going. How are you doing, Claire? Is the breastfeeding going any better? It might not for awhile…for us it didn’t significantly improve until Caden was 4 months old and then got better and better from there. I hope it happens sooner for you Maybe with the right meds she will be nursing better soon!

[Anonymous]

Tha’s Emma too…I hope some one posts something that helps us both! She is hard to keep a hold of and evn ends up hitting her face and mine. Who knew breast feeding was a full contact sport!

[Anonymous]

Anne,

I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through all of this, and boy oh boy, do I remember those days when you feel like you can barely keep your head above water. Breastfeeding and having an active toddler only add to the the stress, in my opinion, as does eating a limited diet. I’ve been there, and I’m so sorry that you are there now too.

I too live away from family, and while friends have been “friendly,” there hasn’t been much understanding of the real situation…. I know what you mean about people blaming the breastfeeding too. Very frustrating.

Anyway, please let me encourage you to HANG IN THERE. It does get better. You will sleep again; your babies will heal and be happy again. They know how much you love them.

You are a strong woman, stronger in more ways than you will ever admit to yourself. You can do this!

That being said, I would look into getting Joe’s ppi dose increased. Is he really only getting 2.4 mgs. a day???? Maybe I’m reading that incorrectly. But, if he is still having such a hard time, you may want to look into getting it bumped up. What form are you using?

Also, are you involved in a church? I know that our church has been a true lifesaver for me, and people that I don’t even know have reached out to help in many ways.

Oh- and my daughter’s 3rd birthday was 2 months after Ben was born, and I was just dreading it, having no plans and no idea what to do either. We ended up going to Chuckie Cheese. She had a ball, and I guess with all the background noise, Ben just checked out and slept through the whole thing! I had visions of him screaming the whole time, but I figured that at that loud place, it wouldn’t matter.

[Anonymous]

The lacation consultant or LLL leader can give you better advice on breastfeeding. I am on my second child and second refluxer and both times I was told by a dr. that I needed to stop bfing. Basically Peds. get one day of class on breastfeeding and that is it. They really don’t know much about it. My understanding is any breastfeed baby will take a few oz of formula even after bfing. Can’t remember why though. I am telling you all this because it is very common for a dr to tell you that you are not producing enough milk. Also, the pump does not work exactly the same way a baby does so it doesn’t get all the milk. Justice is a year now and I can barely pump 2 oz. If you still feel like there is a supply problem then you can try getting oatmeal like Laura said and also there is something by motherlove called more milk plus that helps to increase the supply. I know it is all way confusing. That is why a LLL leader could help.

[hellbennt]

if you want to know exactly what she’s getting from breastfeeding, you can ask to use the scale at the doctor’s office- go there, weigh her, feed her from one breast and then check her weight- then you can do the same from the other breast-that’s what they do in a lactation consultant’s office- then you can see what she’s taken in from you- it’s interesting at the very least..

as for caffeine affecting her- it takes about 3-5hrs for what you eat to go through your system into your milk- so if you try drinking caffeine and then see a reaction about 3hrs later & you see the same thing happen again the next day, then I’d say to stop the caffeine- it didn’t affect my refluxer or my non refluxer

[Anonymous]

Myles gave up the bottle at 7 months and he was eating next to nothing! I managed to keep him alive by feeding him a big bowl of oatmeal in the morning with 8 ounces of formula or breast milk, and then he drank one bottle at bedtime. In between he only ate a few jars of baby food all day and I spoon fed him 4 ounces of formula once per day.

I know Trace can’t have oatmeal, but is there any type of grain cereal that he can have that you can add lots of formula to?

ndrose2007-6-4 13:23:19

[Anonymous]

Claire,

I’m so sorry the LC was such a waste of money and hope. It still might be worth contacting LLL and asking the local leader if they know of another mom who has dealt with breastfeeding their refluxer. At least the “help/no help” would not cost anything…

About the Rice Dream, I’ve also switched since I’m concerned about that tiny bit of gluten. I know for a fact that gluten bothers my son so I’m using a store brand (Hannaford) from my local grocery store (Sweetbay/Kash n Karry).

Have you tried making the “rice crispy treats” that Luke’s Mom on the MSPI board posted recently? They might taste really good as an allowable binge! She said that this was “the Crispy treat recipe that Luke’s dietician gave me: Boil 1 cup of Rice Syrup (I use Lundburgs) shut off heat and stir in 3 cups of Erewhon’s crispy rice cereal (I use the gluten-free). Transfer into a dish to cool and enjoy! I have been eating a ton of these as we are still on a pretty basic TED.”

Congrats on getting the solutabs timed right – that is very hard to do with a fussy infant.

I know you’ll be able to do whatever you feel is right for you and Kate and your husband. And, believe it or not, the hard times do actually become blurry with time. Andrew is 15 months old now and those first 7 months of sheer misery are already starting to become blurry in my memory.

[hellbennt]

my friend took zoloft I think it was?

http://www.kellymom.com is a great resource:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/antidepressants-hale10-0 2.html

and there’s a book called something like ‘Hale’s’ that lists safe drugs while breastfeeding

LLL would know also…

hellbennt2007-5-31 10:40:10

[Anonymous]

Has any one used anxiety meds while breast feeding a baby w/reflux or even have any information? I know that nothing is one hundred percent safe and that things can be passed through the breast milk, but the doc wouldn’t prescribe it if they didn’t think it was safe. Still I feel uncomfortable taking it. I had anxiety attacks right after my DD was born and they have been resurfacing this week, not as bad thankfully. I don’t want to make her feel worse. Any advise, stories, etc.?

[Anonymous]

We are breastfeeding solely.

We had the previcaid compounded correctly. The reason why is because Maggie cluster feeds and you do not need to give on an empty stomach. The risk seems to be from not compounding it correctly.

I am not sure what TED is.

[Anonymous]

We certainly had times like this with Alana before meds. Of course the weight gain wasn’t a problem, but the inconsolable crying and her just being plain miserable was a constant. We ended up at the emergency department constantly. Really the right dose of meds was the key.

Is there are reason why you had to get it compounded….from everything I have read it can be very risky.

Yes you can do mylanta with the prevacid and continue with the Zantac (prevacid and zantac space 3-4 hours apart). Not sure about the mylanta though, someone else will chime in soon.

I know the thought of being in hospital is scary, but sometimes this is the best way for the drs to really see what it is like and become more proactive in treatment. I hope it doesn’t come to this and Maggie gains some weight though.

Sorry, but I can’t remember, I’m pretty sure you are breastfeeding but I can’t remember if you are doing or have done TED???

Keep us updated.

[Anonymous]

Claire,

Oh my gosh, that is weird, because I felt that way at our local LLL meeting too. I thought it would be a supportive place to get help with my breastfeeding issues, but I found it to be very different from what I expected. As a matter of fact all of the other infants were just peacefully nursing, so I felt really odd that I had this squirmy, fussy nurser, and I did notice the moms looking at me too (just curious I’m sure), and it felt a bit awkward to me too.

However, I know that they can be a great support if you get into the right group.

I think the LC is a great idea. I will say that they don’t know everything though, and I’ve heard of LCs telling ladies to stop nursing due to the problems they are having (not realizing that the problems are related to reflux not the breastmilk). So, just be open to their ideas, but in the end, go with what you believe is best.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I know what you mean about people Judging you. It is sad, but too many people do judge you and then again sometimes we are just oversensitive and think people are judging us. That is how I am. If I am out somewhere and people are laughing I sometimes think they are laughing at me. Silly I know. As if I’m that important.

I feel so bad that I almost forgot about this bfing reflux group. breastfeedingreflux@ yahoogroups.com I was and am blessed to have a LLL leader as a friend and she found the site for me when she found out her baby had reflux. She also found out her baby had tongue tie which her dr. didn’t think so, but after talking to a LC that delt with it all the time she found it was true. Her babies reflux was caused because of the tongue tie. Once that was under control and taken care of the reflux was gone. I hope for you that is what it is because it is such an easy fix. Please keep us updated as to what is going on.

Oh, I almost forgot what form of prevacid is she on? You don’t have to answer that. I was told by someone at marci-kids that the powder form is really hard to use since you have to break the doses up. Unless you sit down and count out all the beads they will not be even. Of course, you are doing 30 mg so you might be doing a pkt of 15 in the am and 15 in the evening. Also the solutabs, I think have to be dissolved in water they can’t be crushed. I’m sure you already know that, but just in case I am throwing it out there. I REALLY want things to be better for you guys. I hope to be hearing how great things are soon.

[Anonymous]

Claire,

I was wondering this morning how you were doing today. I’m sorry you’ve been having such a hard time with nursing. I appreciated reading all the comments from the other moms about their experiences and know that in the end it comes down to you doing what is best for you and for Kate.

I’d also like to encourage you to get in touch with a LC. I have seen three different LC’s with my two kiddos and want to also add the thought that if the LC you see doesn’t particularly help you out fully, you might try seeing another LC. Just like we change peds when it is not a good fit, you can also have a good fit or a not-so-good fit with an LC.

I also liked the idea of contacing LLL. Many of the LLL leaders will quickly arrange to visit you at your home and give you help and support and a shoulder to cry on (for free, too). They don’t have the medical training that an LC does, but LLL leaders know breastfeeding issues inside and out. And they probably know another reflux/OAL mom they can refer you to for local support. The LLL group I was going to (when Andrew was little and so sick with undiagnosed MFPI/reflux) was so helpful about listening and offering practical suggestions I hadn’t even thought of about ways to cope with life while also coping with a sick baby. Even though no one helped me pinpoint the food intolerance link, I still appreciated the true support I got from them.

I know there is not enough time in the day or an extra ounce of energy in your body right now to do anything at all other than survive. I wish we could all give you a hug in person, but I think all of us are giving you that hug over the Internet. Hang in there. Call me tomorrow (or even tonight) if you want to talk in person!

Dianne