Well it's official... Hannah is taking Formula

sparks19

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#1
Well after quite a battle.... Hannah is now on a mixture of BM and Formula.

we went to her Dr's appt on Dec 3rd... in over a month she had only gained half a pound. To me she looked skinny. She still had energy and everything but I was very concerned about her weight. the Dr said that maybe she was just a small baby.... I didn't buy that since NO ONE in either of our families was a "small baby". I really felt she wasn't getting what she needed. I had stopped supplementing with a bottle of expressed milk all together before this appt.

Hannah was also very fussy in the evenings and seemed to be having a lot of tummy issues. The Dr said she may be colicy but I wasn't buying that either. Then a couple weeks before the appt she cut her b/fing time in half... she would only feed for 10 minutes and she was very fussy the whole time. After the Dr;s appt I tried some more to exclusively BF her... she just didn't want it. Then one night when I was giving her her last feeding before bed she didn't want to take ANY....nothing I tried worked. I had gotten a free sample of soy formula (since I already know she can't handle milk) so I said "that's it... she needs to eat something. I am making her a bottle" she gulped it down like no tomorrow.

This was the first bottle of anything I had given her in a long time but she readily accepted it. So for the next little while I continued to breastfeed during the day until she got too fussy and wouldn't eat from me and then I would give formula.... eventually she wanted more and more and more and I just coulnd't provide her what she wanted.... so I made the decision to pump what I could and give her that in a bottle and then give her whatever formula she wanted....

Since I have started with Soy formula she has put on about 3 pounds in a month.... her tummy troubles and gas problems are GONE. She is just all around happier. She was much happier than I was. I felt like a failure for not being able to give her what she needed. I still do sometimes. But seeing how much better she is doing is helping me get over that
 

Gempress

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#2
I'm sorry to hear about all these troubles, but I'm glad she's doing so much better. I think you made the right decision.

I felt like a failure for not being able to give her what she needed. I still do sometimes. But seeing how much better she is doing is helping me get over that
Aww ((hugs)). Don't worry about it, you're doing the right thing. My sister felt the same way with my niece. My niece was a very weak suckler, and couldn't seem to get the milk out. She lost a TON of weight (nearly 12 ounces!) before they made the decision to put her on the bottle instead. It made a huge difference, and my niece was very happy and healthy on forumla.
 

joce

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#3
You are doing the right thing.

I had a friend who could not get breast feeding to work at all and the consultant she had basically told her she was ruining her child's shot at a good life:rolleyes:

What works for one doesn't work for all and if she is happy and healthy now don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
 

showpug

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#4
Awww...I am so sorry to hear about the troubles. Nothing is worse than worrying about your baby getting what they need. :(

It's pretty typical for babies to prefer the bottle to the breast because of the way they are made. The bottle flows easily and the baby just has to swallow, it takes no effort. The breast is very slow flow and is designed so the baby literally has to work to get the milk out. Many babies can get frustrated by this, especially if they know the "easy" bottle is an option.;) Little stinkers they are!

I think it's great you are still offering her what breastmilk you can. Remember that even the smallest amount of BM you can give her counts and has a benefit. In the end, you just have to do what works for you and your baby and if you can manage to still get some BM then that's even better.

It's great that she is gaining now and that's what matters. You are doing a great job and don't beat yourself up over it!
 

bubbatd

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#5
It's the start after birth that makes the difference anyway ... you've done a good job !!
 

Baxter'smybaby

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#6
As long as Hannah gets what she needs--then you are doing a great job! Some babies just don't do well with breastfeeding--nothing to beat yourself up about!
 

zoe08

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#7
Don't worry about it too much. At least you were able to for a while. My sister tried to breast feed, but after her milk came, she went to the lactation specialist who worked with her for like 2 hours and they barely got like 1/2 ounce, so she ended up having to go with formula. She had milk but it just wouldn't come out. I know she was really disappointed, but it just doesn't work well for everyone.
 

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