new to this forum - bf/formula question

[tabitha]

hello!
my baby is almost 3 months old and I have recently had to start supplementing with formula. he was born 10 weeks early, in the nicu for almost 8 weeks, and as much as we tried, breastfeeding never worked for us. so I have been pumping, and now he requires more than I can pump. each bottle he gets is half breastmilk, half formula. I have noticed, however, that once we added the formula he is much more gassy, more spit-up, diarrhea, diaper rash and just more fussy in general. I called the peds office and their suggestion is that it is probably my diet and that I should cut out dairy. formula is milk-based, right? even though I do eat a lot of dairy, I always have the entire time I have been pumping. I really think the formula might be the issue, since that was the changing factor. that being said, all the issues are getting a little better every day. the ped. doesn't want to switch formulas because the one he is on is for premature babies.

I guess my question is, does my relationship with cheese have to come to an end?

[KerryS]

If your baby doesn't react that way to your breastmilk alone, then I agree with your belief that it has to do with the formula, not the breastmilk.

If the formula is cow's milk-based, then you eliminating dairy from your diet is not going to help in any way, because your baby will still be exposed to cow's milk through the formula.

Have you tried different ways to boost your supply, such as taking herbs or domperidone?

[Amy_G_]

What formula is your baby using right now?
There should be a similar product available for premature babies made by a different manufacturer that might work better.
With my first he couldn't handle similac at all, but did ok with enfamil my second couldn't handle similac nor enfamil but was ok on carnation good start. and they were all in the same class of milk based formula types. I look into your other options for formula to offer, it won't help your baby grow at his potential if its upsetting his system in some way.

I would look into your other options for boosting milk supply. Baby sounds like he's doing best with your breastmilk, so that's where I would focus my energy. Have you checked on resources at kellymom?

[whitnessforhim]

Have you tried getting baby back to the breast at all since? Although my baby was never in the NICU we did have latch problems that didn't resolve themselves until she was around 4mo.

I agree with the other ladies that I would focus on boosting my supply because it sounds like he's doing best on your milk.

How much milk is getting at each feeding? And how much are you pumping? Just be aware that its easy to overfeed on bottles.

Oh and Welcome to the boards!! :)

[tabitha]

thanks for the responses. today was the first time I was able to log-in, wierd...

I don't think my supply is as much of an issue as not pumping enough times throughout the day. the baby and I are at home alone the majority of the day. I try to pump as soon as he seems to be in a deep sleep, but it never fails, as soon as I start pumping he wakes up. he sleeps fairly well in his bassinet at night, but really prefers to be held during the day. and I have no intentions of letting him cry so that I can pump.

we went to the pedi today and he made a few suggestions regarding amounts to feed, sleeping at an inclined position and a few other things to prevent reflux. he suggested trying soy formula if these things don't work.

I really haven't tried nursing him recently, but I really should since he is gaining weight and getting stronger.

thanks again!

[tifttu]

I think if he'll go back to nursing, you'll find that it's a gazillion times easier than pumping. That's just my opinion as one who has never had a good relationship with the pump.

[hilmom]

soy formula is often really helpful for excessive gasiness, spitting up/reflux, and the diaper rash - most likely it is a sensitivity to the milk based formula - if it were an allergy he'd likely have more severe a reaction. switching to soy without adjusting your diet might do the trick. it's helped for my four month old who also needs supplemental bottles and it was the solution to my reflux problems as an infant.
also, I also pump and feed during the day vs. breastfeed even though I'm home all day b/c my little guy went on a "strike" of sorts after our vacation in late September. He had mostly bottles b/c he is/was a very fussy nurser and he tended to go for 40 mintues each time - not so easy at Disney world! we have since discovered that he has reflux and now that we started meds he wants to nurse again and is doing so much better. hopefully he'll increase my supply as I nurse him more often now. good luck to you!