Health nurse says need more formula

[Phteven]

Maz, I don't know if it's for such young babies but there is some kind of high calorie stuff for babies who are a bit skinny.
I know some of the girls in the FTT thread used to use it and also a girl with a CF baby.
Maybe you could look into that and mix it into or swap it for the formula feed you already do. That way instead of adding an extra bottle you make the one he already has count more.
I'll try and dig up some posts about it.
Also do you have time to squeeze an extra boob feed or 2 into your day?

[Shellbelle]

Maz we add calories to our prems milk at work. With formula you add polyjoule (pretty sure you can get from chemist) and to breast milk you add HMF (human milk fortifier). These all increase the calories. Normal milk or formula is 20 calories, and you can calorise up to about 28calories. there is different amounts per how much milk - insturctions are on the can. Perhaps ask your paed and if need be you can then get a script! HTH!

[Rouge]

700gms is awesome. I would get a second opinion, check out his graph, if there is an obvious pattern its fine. Like christy said if he's got wet & dry nappies its FINE!

Sorry but I was given similar advice, and later told it was the wrong advice when it was way too late.

[Visitor7]

oh honey, I'm so sorry to hear this. I would definitely go see your Paed about this before you start increasing the formula as I know how much you want to continue with your b/f journey.

[Pretty Butterfly]

Babe, your doing great!!!

I too comp fed Taylah, even though she fed like a beaut, she still didn't gain well.

I too used the high calorie formula, and she took off great. One night bottle of that, and the rest B/F.

So before you give EXTRA ff, maybe try substituting the one bottle with this??

I comp fed taylah for the full 12 months, as it was discovered after many hospital stays, her calories didn't stay in her body long enough to be absorbed. This formula was great. At the time i also got it on prescription, and it was heaps cheaper.

Hope that helps, and good luck honey, your both doing AMAZING!!!

[MantaRay]

Big hugs Maz. You have worked so hard, and overcome huge hurdles to be where you are now. It must have killed you to have someone put these doubts in your mind now.

I agree with the others, I wouldn't be adding a bottle just yet. I don't know whether Mateauz needs more weight or not. But I know that MCHNs are often mistaken when they say that. So definitely get a second opinion first. And also remember that those charts are based on ff babies - bf babies will nearly always be lower on the chart. Also, anywhere on the chart is "normal", so even the bottom end is ok. And if something more is needed, then I would be trying more bfs or the calorie fortifier first before adding an extra bottle.

I totally think that the physio could be contributing. Jack was putting on 400g a week in the early days. Then by 3 months he was mobile and went from near the top of the charts to near the bottom! He was still drinking as much, he was just burning it off more quickly. And there's certainly nothing wrong with his weight or health today. And Tom is in the 75th percentile for height and 10th for weight. Nothing wrong with him either - he is just very active.

You have come this far Maz, you will get past this. I know you will. I know that feeling when you hear something like that, but please try not to let it get to you. I suspect she is just being cautious. Get some better advice and I am sure you will be glad you did.

[maz]

thanks so much girls..
Ive been sitting here crying over this....rather silly isnt it but I feel very passionate about BF Mateauz.

I rang the chemist and had a good chat to him...he said that the MCHN should have taken into consideration that Mateauz isnt classed as a 'normal' child due to his Cerapal Palsey and EVERY CHILD is different. He told me not to stop doing what I was doing cause his nappies have all been drneched and he pooh's every day (twice before he got weighed and one was right in front of her).

I have also rung our Physio who is pi$$ed at the MCHN and is looking into the whole calorie thing for me. She agrees that mateauz would burn alot of calories and hench not have as much weight on him due to it. She was also very annoyed at some of the other comments the MCHN said but thats another thread

i cant believe I have gotten so upset about this...I found it really hurtfull . We have been through so much over the last 4 months and just as I felt like things were looking up I felt like we had taken 100 steps back again. Will let you all know how the next appointment goes girls.

And hey thanks...dont know were I'd be without you all

[Visitor7]

That sounds really promising. Just go with your mothers instinct. You know what's best for your little man.
And don't think it's silly that you're so upset about all of this. It's taken a lot for both you and Mateauz to get where you are today with b/f and you don't want to give up. We can all understand that.

[MantaRay]

Maz, I am SO, SO glad to hear that you have now gotten some better advice. It really annoys me when I hear of MCHNs giving bad advice. Another reason why I don't see them anymore!

FWIW I can totally understand your reaction - that stupid woman has basically undermined your courage and determination by suggesting that you are not providing enough nourishment for your beautiful son. And even knowing that she's not right, it's got to hurt. And it is so easy to doubt when we hear things like this, even when our heads know better, our hearts feel unsure. I have had times when I've felt the same way, when I've worried that bm isn't enough. Or that I've done something else wrong. I think it's part of that darn mother-guilt, and medical professionals seem to be able to bring it on ten times worse than other well-meaning but ill-informed busy-bodies. But try really hard not to let it get to you. In a week I am sure you will feel differently about it. I'm sending monster hugs your way. Now stop crying and eat some chocolate!!