Breastfeeding issues

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe they won’t give you referral… that sucks & I feel for you. I would definitely fax for that plus for increase of med.

To answer your earlier question: we used to split the solutabs w/ a pill cutter (around $3 @ a drugstore).

[Anonymous]

Blythe,

I just thought I would add my two cents. I am currently BF my LO, but am having to supplement due to weight issues (however, from what you said, you LO is still gaining weight…my daughter went one month and had weight loss, but before that she was only averaging 1lb/month).

OK first, and I know you aren’t going to want to hear it, but I think food eliminating is going to do a world of good for you. Especially when you say formula makes reflux worse and avoiding peanuts made things better. What you describe was McKenzie before I eliminated foods out of my diet. McKenzie was so sensitive in the beginning that even though I had taken out a TON of food in my diet, the small amount of lactose (that can contain milk proteins) was bothering her. We got her on compounded prevacid and she was a new baby. I know it is hard to eliminate food from your diet…this is my second time with it. For Brianna I only had to do dairy and soy. With McKenzie is has been much more. But it is doable and things will be better. I actually agree with eliminating things one at time. IF I am brave enough to have a third (I am done, DH wants to try for a son one more time) I will do it that way. This way you will really be able to tell what is working and not second guess things which is what I seem to feel happens to me when I take a lot out and then add things back in. Also, 90% of the time (OK I made that up, but really it is most of the time) the culprit is dairy and soy. If you go extreme it is very taxing so I say, go the path of least resistance at first…it is hard enough having a LO. 😉 You said taking out peanuts helped. Next I would try dairy, and from what you said, I would do ALL dairy (hidden included). There is still tons of food you can eat that way. If you still have problems then I would do soy and then gluten. That will get you on a good start. Also, you do need to get a new formula if you do this. I would try Alimentum/Nutramagin first. McKenzie had to go all the way to Neocate, but we tried Alimentum frist. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about the food stuff…I can give you a LOT of good ideas. Also, I will do a search in a sec for the dairy/soy free list

The other thing I would ask about is getting on a different form of prevacid. Some super sensitive babies are that way. And I would demand a referral. I can’t believe they won’t give you one, I was given one no questions asked…it is a baby for goodness sakes, they can’t tell you what is wrong.

As for the scale, I think that will be helpful to know exactly how much Averi is getting. I rented one with Brianna in the very beginning. My milk always takes 1-2 days past average so I have to really work those first few days to make sure the baby doesn’t lose too much weight. It was nice to see how much she got in her, like the PP said so I would know how much, if any, formula to give.

I honestly am still not sure what happened to me. McKenzie had plenty of wet diapers and poops and still no weight gain. My Ped said that sometimes milk isn’t fatty enough, but I ate tons of fat in chips and oil and stuff so really I just don’t know. But I do know that once I started supplementing, it was like my body relaxed and EVERYTHING got so much better. I still can’t eat dairy or soy or gluten, and am limited on sunflower seeds and citrus (long story on the last two). But McKenzie is much better than she was. Good luck and keep us updated (oh and sorry for the long post)

[Anonymous]

Here is the milk/soy free list just in case you decide to go down that path. 🙂

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5967

[Anonymous]

OK, this is off topic, but Laura, I am so proud of myself for being able to find that post…lol.

[Anonymous]

I’d seriously ask to see a differnt Dr in the practic eto get hat referall. If they will not do that I owuld switch and get seen. A GI can hlep you wil all the TED stuff.

Beleives me, as soneone who in on the formula end with a GERDling….you will have a much easier time if you can do the TED…really.

Not to make formulas sound daunting….but….I know Mothers who search for months and months and months and naver find the right formula that will work for their child.

Witht he sturggles we ahd I wish there had been some way we could have nursed. Jedd’s compounded medical issues just would not allow it though. That is the single most decision I would have liked to change.

I even own a Medela pump. but the stress of Jedd’s issues pretty much dried me up real fast.

The ladies here are the best with the TED so please ask them about it!!!!

You *can* do this….

[Anonymous]

also–ask your ped if he/she has samples of a hypo-allergenic formula (like nutragimen). My ex-ped. gave me a few cannisters of it. that will save you some $ as you sample different formulas.

[Anonymous]

Deep breath. Okay, I guess I don’t have a choice but to do more diet eliminations. Thank you for the link. I’m going to need as much help as I can get. Hold my hand please. Lol!

ETA: I called my insurance company and it turns out I don’t need a referral to see a specialist. We have an appt to see a ped GI tomorrow.
lilsprstr2008-09-16 12:08:40

[Anonymous]

That’s so great that you got in so fast!!!

I will be here to support you through diet elimination/trials. We are still doing them here (I’ve been on TED since June) so we can hold hands together.

Hang in there & let me know if you have any questions.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that is wonderful you were able to get into the GI so fast. I had to wait four weeks, and that was with my ped calling and asking them to squeeze me in. Keep us updated. We are here to help with whatever you need. Hugs!

Oh one more thing…if you do end up having to supplement with formula, definatly ask you drs for samples. I was given samples of Alimentum and Neocate and didn’t have to spend any money until I was sure I had a formula that worked. 🙂

Good luck!

b’s mom2008-09-16 16:04:19

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to update on my drama.

After renting the scale I determined that Averi was only getting roughly 6 oz. of breastmilk daily from nursing alone. I rented a hospital grade pump to boost my milk supply and I am pumping as much as possible to try and keep up, but I am having to supplement with formula for the time being. I am also going to get some More Milk Plus.

We saw the ped GI yesterday and I must say I was not impressed. I felt like he was dismissive and non-nonchalant about what is going on. She happened to be in a good mood while we were there, which is hard when you’re trying to express how miserable she is. He said he thought she may or may not have reflux, but that I shouldn’t expect any magic from the Prevacid and that the dosage she is on is plenty. He said the Similac Advanced is fine to keep her on and didn’t recommend any dietary restrictions. He seemed to thing the only problem is colic and that “she’ll outgrow it at about 4 months.”

I told him that we were supplementing with formula because we rented the scale to see how much milk she was getting and he freaked out. He basically scolded me saying that baby’s weight will flucuate and I shouldn’t weigh her all the time because it will cause undo stress. I tried to explain several times that I was measuring the milk intake, not worrying about the weight of the baby itself. He totally was not listening to me and continued to tell me not to use the scale.

Then he told me that she was probably still hungry and that I should start using rice cereal in the bottle to fill her up. I know that this is done for many refluxers, but I know there is controversy around adding solids too soon as well, so I haven’t done it yet.

The only thing good about the visit was that he said he could do a test on some of her stool to see if there is a milk/soy protein intolerance. I am curious to have that done, but her poops seem to be few and far between.

Ugh, I left there feeling more confused and overwhelmed. And I just love when a man comes in and over-simplifies my problem and makes me feel like a crazy lady!

[Anonymous]

HUGS!! My first ped was just like this. He used the colic word with me, which is as good as one of those naughty 4-letter words around here. Colic DOES NOT exist. It is a made up term that drs use when they don’t know what is wrong with your baby or they are too lazy to find out. Here is a great article found by our one and only Laura:

http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/interview-colic-expert.html

I say find another ped GI, which I know is SO hard. Nicholas was always so good and happy during our appts and it made me feel like a nut case. Before you see another dr, I would videotape your baby so you can show the new dr what you are dealing with. Scroll through this post to see if there is a ped GI that is recommended near you:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=660

Lastly, you are NOT a crazy lady! We ALL could have and probably did write these EXACT same words at one time on this forum. Want to read mine? Here is my crazy lady post:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10688

Lastly, to feel better read this:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2005&PN=1&TPN=1

[Anonymous]

i’m so sorry the appointment wasn’t as productive as you would have
liked. that dr. doesn’t know what he’s talking about with the scale!

i would just keep doing what you’re doing–b’feed, supplement, pump. I feel for you–it’s such hard work….but as I saw with my LO…one day, she might just be able to suck well, and this will get easier.
Did the LC tell you how much she should be getting per feeding? Anywhere from 3-5 ounces? You can use the scale to see what she gets and then supplement with bm or formula.
multiple trips to the LC and bfeeding group helped me a lot.
How are your LO’s stools? Is there mucous? I know you said that they aren’t happening everyday…
If you have reason to suspect MSPI, I would stay away from the Similac. Were you able to get any formula samples?
As far as the diet restrictions go, I put them off or did them half-heartedly for a long time and wish that I had just gone for it. It isn’t that bad, but I know it’s hard to imagine when you’re so tired and worn out from feeding all day.
Also–it sounds like your GI isn’t any better than your ped… Can you find a different pediatrician that will listen to you?
my heart goes out to you!!!

[Anonymous]

Hugs to you!!! I am sorry that your trip to the GI didn’t go well…you know a LOT of them are like that…very dismissive like they don’t care. Brianna was the same way as Averi…everytime I took her to the Dr. she was all smiles so no one really took me seriously. I went to three different GI’s with her. 🙂 Oh and don’t feel like a crazy lady…I had a full out breakdown in one GI’s office (actually the one I ended up staying with…his attitude changed once he saw how emotional I was about what was happening). You know your children and your GI’s don’t. Good luck with increasing your supply. I know it can be done, I know another mother who had to supplement until three months and now is EBF her child. I was going to try and do that with McKenzie, but nothing seemed to be increasing my supply so supplement I did, but like I said, she is still gettting BM and that is all that matters to me. 🙂 Also remember that 6oz a day is better than 0!!! OK one more suggestion. Have you been to http://www.marci-kids.com/ I know a lot of peds and GI’s who have increased doses based on this information and have even known Dr. Phillips to personally talk to some doctors about dosage. If nothing else, at least you can use the calculator to see what dose Averi should be on. Good luck and keep us updated!

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