DD - He is primarily BF , he only has 3 tube feeds in 24hrs as a top up. We have massive issues with breast refusal. We also struggle to wean the tube feeds because he has a high palette so doesn't drain the breast properly.. I also have supply issues, so even if he did wean off the tube i'd probably still have to express to maintain what little supply i do have.. Did your firstborn have cleft palette? I can't remember?
Yes, she still has a cleft palate and small jaw which has been lengthened by jaw surgery but still small. She has a rare chromosome abnormality which affects many things but children with this abnormality are known to be poor feeders with some still not feeding in their teens, we are lucky!
I have only had a couple of days of breast refusal, and it was more frustrating and disheartening than i could ever have thought. You are doing so well to continue in spite of the challenges you two have had. i don't have any advice but you certainly have my admiration.
BAL, you are an inspiration. I too, am amazed at what you've done to keep feeding your gorgeous boy and can't imagine the frustration that must come with breast refusal. Guessing it's a fraction like a baby who won't sleep.... sometimes I just want to say "but baby, if only you understood. Sleep is AWESOME!". Jett, young man, breast milk is liquid gold. You have it on tap. Go crazy kiddo!
My very good friend is going through similar at the moment. Not a premmie, but her DD is sick (has CF) and really needs good weight gain and her immune system protected by the goodies in BM... and 9/10 feeds just screams blue murder after a few sucks. My friend is beside herself and (I hope you don't mind), but I was telling her about you and Jett, how determined and courageous you have been and how well he's doing. She was encouraged to know that there are others out there in the same boat and that it's not just her, since she puts a lot of blame on herself and feels she must be doing something 'wrong'. So you're not just helping Jett with all this hard work, in sharing it, you're helping others.
I feel so much of what you are saying although things aren't nearly as full on here. It is so frustrating to have had 3 trouble free years with my DD1 to basically battling DD2 into feeding at all. She sequels, fights, doesn't feed properly, bites, squiggles, squirms and also only takes one side so my boobs are REALLY lopsided too... like extremely. The only lucky thing here is that she is super huge so I don't have any stress over her not getting enough and we aren't expressing or in any need to push solids but it drives me batty trying to just get her to feed. It is soul crushingly hard when they refuse and fight.
I feel intense pressure not to give up though because of how I let her sister self wean and it feels unfair not to do the same... but it is hard to squash the thoughts that well, why am I bothering when she clearly doesn't want to.
You're doing so well I really hope things settle a little for you soon.
Santosha - i'm glad I am helping I don't mind you telling people at all.. i'm pretty open about my experiences of parenting for this reason! I hope that i can help someone.. i draw strength from others in the same way sorry for crappy punctuation... I'm expressing.. just for a change
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I know you probably don't fee like it, but you're working much harder at this than most mums ever do.
I don't mind you telling people at all.. i'm pretty open about my experiences of parenting for this reason! I hope that i can help someone.. i draw strength from others in the same way
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