What on earth have I done!

My DD is 3 months old and suffers reflux (treated with infant gaviscon)

Because of this, I introduced a bottle of EBM at bed time and her one feed throughout the night - so I could add the infant gaviscon (because I'd lay her back down within 30 mins of feeding - through the day I keep her up for an hour). She won't take it any other way.

In the last few days she has completely refused to feed from my breast - I am devastated. Because of this, I've supplemented with formula (Avent Isis not giving me the volume - buying Medela Swing tomorrow).

I have tried everything. Starting with a bottle, switching to breast - she'll realise where she is and start screaming - tried while sleepy and almost about to wake up, tried while sleeping - tried just lying in bed skin to skin NO DEAL - she will just scream and scream and refuse to nurse despite a rumbling tummy.

Like I said, I am buying the Medela Swing tomorrow and if I have to I'll EBM for the next 9 months - but I want my baby to want to nurse from me! I am so angry at myself for introducing bottles in the first place - but the reflux was bad so I just don't know what to do.....

Is it possible that she'll never want my breasts again? Today was the first full day on bottles and she just did not want to nurse - screams and screams - I am so sad

I would be ringing the ABA as soon as possible. I'm sure they'll have some tricks up their sleeves to get baby back on the breast :)

Don't beat yourself up about it tho, reflux is a tricky thing to deal with and it sounds like you were just trying to give her some relief. I'm trying to remember how I gave DD her gaviscon.. I think I just gave it to her on it's own in a small amount of water?? Or maybe I used a syringe to give it to her.. like medicine? I honestly can't remember! I know I didn't bother mixing it with a feed tho, as all feeds were from the breast and I'm a lazy expresser. I'm sure you'll sort it out. Definitely ring the ABA *hugs*

I swing will make a big difference, I had to swap from the avent too. Maybe try giving a small bottle first then try and see if she will latch on?

Barb is online she is a very helpful expert on bb who can prob give you great advice

Oh sweetheart how heartbreaking for you!

I wonder if she has learned to associate the bottle with less discomfort, because that's how she gets the gaviscon (whereas she doesn't get that 'assistance' from the breast)? Have you tried giving her the Gaviscon with a dropper before offering the breast? You can mix the gaviscon with a teaspoon of water and administer it that way - that's how we gave Tom his when he needed it.

I second the idea about contacting the ABA and perhaps seeing if you can find a lactation consultant - talk to the hospital where you had your baby or your MCHN to find out where you might contact one. Good luck with the pump in the meantime - I'm sure you already know about the whole supply and demand thing.

Best wishes - dealing with reflux is really challenging.

I'd ring the ABA too hun..
Don't blame yourself :hug: Our first baby suffered reflux too, and juggling breastfeeds and meds was very tricky!

Hang in there :hug:

:hug: wishing you lots of luck hun, I know how heartbreaking it can be when they don't want the breast. You have an advantage, she is older & has been breast feeding for a while, hopefully you will be able to get her back on.
And definitely don't blame yourself, it would be very hard to manage gaviscon & BFing, my sister had to do the same, not easy.
:hug:

Hun, it must have been a very difficult three months for you with a reflux baby :hug: It is really hard work to have a reflux baby and it sounds like you are doing an amazing job.

I'm sure you have heard that introducing bottles can cause nipple confusion, but there are other reasons for a baby to refuse the breast which might not have so much to do with the bottle. It might be that your DD is uncomfortable in the traditional lying down feed position. Sometimes mums have some luck with holding the baby more upright during the feed. One way to do this is to be comfortably reclined in a chair, and allow your DD to lie vertically between your breasts. From there you can gently guide her towards the nipple to attach, or at 3 months she might still have the rooting instinct to find the nipple and attach herself.

Another possibility is that this is the normal 3 month fussy feeding period that many babies go through. They suddenly become more aware of their surroundings and decide they don't want to be facing mum and missing out on the world. Sometimes mums find that wearing a breastfeeding necklace can help to keep the baby interested while feeding. Feeding in a quiet, darkened room can sometimes help too, and even having a warm bath together, with no pressure to feed, can sometimes help.

Whatever the reason, lots of skin to skin contact is really helpful in getting those breastfeeding instincts kicking in, and will also help with your supply while she is not draining your breasts for you (a breast pump is never quite as efficient!).

All the best with it hun, and please know that you are doing a great job. This will most likely pass - at 3 months it is not likely to be the end of bfing. :hug:

Thank you all so much for the advice xxx

I bought the Swing today - starting to express like crazy to keep my supply up.

Had great success with the 3am feed - she fed both sides for a total of 30 minutes!! I was weeping silently while she was feeding, although I did notice her suck was very very lazy.

Then this morning at 7am, she cried for a couple of minutes, I gave her a dummy to get started, then gently offered my breast - she took it for another 20 minutes.

But then for her next feed - it was back to crying.

I do think it's a pain association - she threw up both feeds - but I got her to feed!! I'll talk to my midwife about alternatives to giving her the gaviscon - perhaps with water prior to a BF and a top up with EBM? (I think my supply has dropped!)

The necklace sounds like an awesome idea Manta - you're right - she is very alert and maybe a necklace she can play with will help xxx

Thank you again girls - I'll give the ABA a shout today

:hug: hun, what a difficult time you've had. It sounds like you are determined to get it right though, and you've had some success today. Let us know how you're going. The girls have given you some great advice.

It's also important that you keep her on the slowest flow teat (i.e."newborn", even though she isn't) so she doesn't get to expecting an "easy" feed. You are about at the stage when supply is supposed to drop to meet demand, but until you have her feeding strongly again pumping is a sensible idea.

Have you changed perfumes or washing powder or anything else that might make your chest smell different?

Another is to give her a little EBM bottle with the gaviscon and then a bf.

I recall DD refusing the breast at 3months. She's only ever had my nipple at her lips, so it was no confusion or preference..
Could just be a stage, so don't stress too much. From the sounds of it, your baby is happy to bf half the time, so just ride with it, I'm sure if you eliminate any bottles from now, things will go back to normal!