My son was born 7 weeks early and started showing signs of reflux when we brought him home at 5 weeks old. He is on prilosec, which doesn’t seem to be helping much at all. I have been pumping breast milk for him and bottle feeding since he was born. In the NICU they fortified the milk with 24 calories of formula (a teaspoon and a half per 100 ml) and insisted this continue until he is 6 months old. He gained weight at a very fast rate on this mixture. I have done some experimenting since he’s been home and have determined that the reflux is better and the spit-up less in volume if I don’t include the formula in his breast milk feeds. I do not want to deprive him of those extra calories if he needs them, but I want him to be as comfortable as possible. Does anyone have any insight into the true necessity of fortifying breast milk for a premature infant? The doctors insist it’s necessary, but other sources (including friends and family) insist that breast milk is all he needs, especially since he has gained weight so well (went from 3 lbs 1 oz at birth to 6 lbs 1 oz by 6 weeks old). Any advice is appreciated! Thanks.
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