Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize that milk fat came from the mom's diet. I did have to eat a ton while nursing/pumping - I feel like you need more protein. What about hard boiled eggs, almonds, lactation cookies...put the whole avocado on your salad.

Having had a baby with growth issues, I was against formula until I realized I was being selfish and starving my kid. She shot back up once we found one that she liked. We're closing in on a year and we still nurse when together and she gets a bottle or two of formula a day, it's the best of both worlds. Don't be too hard on yourself, fed is best.

Op here. I am definitely not starving my child. While it sucks I can't fulfill his nutrition, his health is of the upmost importance to us. We have been using a HIPP formula that a friend recommend. He eats about 6-8 ounces of that a day, for the last 2 days. I am giving formula in the interim, but definitely want to EBF once he is up to growth curve.

I have definitely been tying to up eating avocado and a little nut butter. I can't eat eggs because I am allergic to diary. It's tough because I'm not a fan or but and hate hummus. I also want to eat healthy fats, like avocado, olive oil, chia/hemp/flax seeds, etc.

Eggs aren't dairy? Eggs come from birds, dairy comes from mammals.

Anonymous wrote:The discussion here makes me cry. Why are there so many misconceptions about breastfeeding in the US? OP, see a qualified lactation consultant and stop obsessing about numbers, concerning both you and your baby.

Please save your tears for something more important that what DCUM women (mostly educated, middle-class and up) do re. breastfeeding.

The discussion here makes me cry. Why are there so many misconceptions about breastfeeding in the US? OP, see a qualified lactation consultant and stop obsessing about numbers, concerning both you and your baby.

Anonymous wrote:Are you on meds for the GERD? It's treatable.

Op here. I have a kidney issue and can't be on a PPI. The side effects of the drug can cause further issues. I am in Zantac but it's nit that effective. That's why I need a diet high in potassium.

I don't think it's a volume/latch issue I think it's a lack of fat issue. Your baby needs fats like dha to form neurological connections. You keep saying you want 'healthy fats' but this preoccupation combined with your dairy intolerance might not allow you to build up enough quality breastmilk. Do you see a cream top on your milk when it sits in the fridge? I agree a dietitian who specializes in breastfeeding may be useful.

Be kind to yourself, op, I'm the pp who has ebf for 11 months and while it's an adjustment it shouldn't be a prolonged struggle for mom or baby, imho. Otherwise it defeats the purpose. If I had any inkling my son was not satiated I wouldn't have hesitated to continually supplement, erring on the side of protecting his neurological development.

Breastfeeding can be a handy tool but it's literally nothing compared to your instincts as a mom/caregiver. Good luck!

Are you on meds for the GERD? It's treatable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I will address everything one large post again.

Feeding: He eats around the clock every 2-3 hours. We let him wake up to eat. We have been using a European formula which he seems to like. The pediatrian said feed every 3 hours by breast, and then offer 2 ounces of milk. His poop is yellow which I read means he is getting a good amount of fat.
He doesn't have jaundice, and doesn't have a tongue tie. He does have a weak suck and always pops off the breast while eating. I am seriously considering just eping if it's his latching that's the problem. It's easier and he seems to take the bottle better.

Eating: I will try to increase my calories. I eat a blend diet because I have severe acid reflux that acts up badly when I eat anything too acidic, spicy, or with caffine. I can't eat the things suggested like curry. My acid reflux is so severe it's called Gerd. I have achy chest pains and my chest feels like a weight is weighing me down when it gets very bad. I can't risk trying new things.

Given all your difficulties and allergies, have you seen a nutritionist? Like someone else said, you need like 500 extra calories when EBF. Would you normally really only be eating 1200 calories a day?

Op here. Most nutritionists are not equipped enough to handle acid reflux. I am a diet do and don't from my gastroenterologist. I typically eat 1200-13300 calories. I'm very petite and that's enough for me. I ate around I think 1500 calories when I was pregnant.

Anonymous wrote:That is nowhere near the kind of fat and protein you should be eating! Look up recipes for fat bombs. A lot of people on ketogenic diets eat them...they're really good for you. My favorite is grass-fed Kerrygold Irish butter with cinnamon, refrigerated. Amazing. But if you don't tolerate hitter, there are SO many delicious chocolate recipes with coconut oil...you need way more fat than that. You basically eat no fat! That's not healthy even if you're not nursing.

How is a ball of butter good for you? Also, GROSS. Who eats plain butter??

OP, if you have GERD, maybe talk to a pediatric GI. From what you are describing it doesn't sound like baby has it but it could be possible so maybe a consult would be helpful. You are probably eating the diet already, so if its latch, pump or do both, then formula.

That is nowhere near the kind of fat and protein you should be eating! Look up recipes for fat bombs. A lot of people on ketogenic diets eat them...they're really good for you. My favorite is grass-fed Kerrygold Irish butter with cinnamon, refrigerated. Amazing. But if you don't tolerate hitter, there are SO many delicious chocolate recipes with coconut oil...you need way more fat than that. You basically eat no fat! That's not healthy even if you're not nursing.

What do you want to hear, OP? Keep doing what you’re doing? It doesn’t sound like it’s working. You have GERD, right? It sounds like you can’t find a treatment for it that will enable you to consume enough fats and calories to EBF your baby. I understand. All it means is that you have a medical condition that will prevent you from EBF. This isn’t a problem. Many of us FF without any “reason” at all. Your baby will be fine and hopefully your health will improve, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm going to give you a big tip here:

If you drop breastfeeding and go straight to formula everyone might be happier and it doesn't make you a bad mom and your baby will thrive.

Op here. Not really a big tip because I don't want to do that. I've seen other threads, and it a shame that posters like you keep telling nursing moms to just go for formula when things are tough. Breastfeeding doesn't come easy for everyone, but I want to feed him breast milk.

Fine, then you need to be responsible and keep close tabs on his weight and supplement as needed.

What? Have you even read OP's posts? So sick of you sanctimommys.

OP is showing signs of disordered eating, has an underweight baby, and is balking at formula and irrational attachment to breastfeeding. She NEEDS to hear that formula is fine, and the only actual goal is to feed the baby.

Op here. Wth? First, I put my child on formula as soon as the pediatrician said to. I even stopped nursing a couple do times to give him a full bottle. How date you act as if I am not ignoring my child's needs to eat. My baby was born at 7lbs 12oz, left FB hospital at 7lbs 1oz, and is 8lbs 4oz. He is not starving, but should have a gained a little more by now.

As for my eating, I am fine. I eat a bland diet due to allergies and severe acid reflux. Have you ever had it. I'm no talking a little heartburn. I'm talking pain so bad you think you are having a heart issue. I did acknowledge after suggestions that I am not eating enough, and will add in more foods that posters have suggested. Sorry I don't stuff my face with loads of junk food.

Some of you people are what is wrong the world. I came here asking for advice and opinions, changed behaviors based on suggestions, and you still want to ridicule me. I am a first time mom, and didn't know my child wasn't eating enough. I rectified the situation as soon as I knew about it. I want to provide breast milk, but understand that may not be a possibility. There is nothing wrong with that. I hope you change your ways. No wonder kids today are bullies, and think the behavior is okay. They learn it from home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm going to give you a big tip here:

If you drop breastfeeding and go straight to formula everyone might be happier and it doesn't make you a bad mom and your baby will thrive.

Op here. Not really a big tip because I don't want to do that. I've seen other threads, and it a shame that posters like you keep telling nursing moms to just go for formula when things are tough. Breastfeeding doesn't come easy for everyone, but I want to feed him breast milk.

Fine, then you need to be responsible and keep close tabs on his weight and supplement as needed.

What? Have you even read OP's posts? So sick of you sanctimommys.

OP is showing signs of disordered eating, has an underweight baby, and is balking at formula and irrational attachment to breastfeeding. She NEEDS to hear that formula is fine, and the only actual goal is to feed the baby.

Agreed. Her body is not going to cooperate with what she’s doing here. There’s no shame in formula. OP is going to need it to keep her baby alive and to remain healthy herself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm going to give you a big tip here:

If you drop breastfeeding and go straight to formula everyone might be happier and it doesn't make you a bad mom and your baby will thrive.

Op here. Not really a big tip because I don't want to do that. I've seen other threads, and it a shame that posters like you keep telling nursing moms to just go for formula when things are tough. Breastfeeding doesn't come easy for everyone, but I want to feed him breast milk.

Fine, then you need to be responsible and keep close tabs on his weight and supplement as needed.

What? Have you even read OP's posts? So sick of you sanctimommys.

OP is showing signs of disordered eating, has an underweight baby, and is balking at formula and irrational attachment to breastfeeding. She NEEDS to hear that formula is fine, and the only actual goal is to feed the baby.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you for the suggestions.

Feeding: He seems much more content with the formula. We also fed him pumped milk twice, and that worked. I am really starting to think it's had less to I with my diet, and more to do with his latch. I am going to make an appointment with a LC. If he doesn't latch, I don't mind pumping. I find it easier and I can be done in 20-30 minutes. He takes up to an hour to eat.

Eating: I am looking up recipes I can try. I am going to start adding more calories into my diet, along with healthy fats, quinoa, brown rice, non-dairy yogurts, etc. I think I have been drinking so much water, I get too full for food. I am going to cut that back a little.

This is quite long. My DD would do this and everyone told me it was ok but it really wasn't- she was just so inefficient which led to slow weight gain. She had a tongue tie which caused this. Make sure you see an LC that is experienced with ties and does a full suck assessment. If you can make it to Virginia Hospital Center I highly recommend their breastfeeding group. It is free and it's a very supportive group that will help you get down to the root of any problem.