do i keep breastfeeding?

My son was born at 33 weeks he is fourth months old next week. he has reflux BAD..is on meds and Enfamil AR...I also pump and nurse him on demand....I notice the days he gets more breastmilk he throws up much more. i know it is better for him...but is it really when he can not keep it down. so my question is do I still breastfeed or switch to formula full time?

I have continued to breastfeed even though mine has severe acid reflux. I would recommend you take a look at what you are eating b/c some foods can make it worse. Kellymom has a list of items. Milk protein intolerance is one so if you are consuming dairy that could be a problem. With Harper she doesn't do well when I eat bell peppers. I was always taught that breastmilk is easier on them with the acid reflux than the formula b/c breastmilk will help soothe the burn of the reflux (one of the reason they like to comfort feed with reflux) and the enfamil AR has cereal in it so it is thicker making it harder to come back up but the acid can still push up into his/her throat.

Breastmilk is much easier to digest than formula and is superior in many other ways. Not least of all because of the touch of your breast. He is still very young and benefits a lot from BF.

Has your doctor suggested eliminating any common allergens from your diet to see if it helps? I know several moms whose babies were born with allergies so the moms had to adjust thier diet so that baby's reflux would go away. The most common culprit is dairy. I would try eliminating dairy and eggs from your diet for a few weeks (check ingredients on bread and packaged food to make sure it's not hidden inside) If you see an improvement after 2-3 weeks then you've solved the problem. If not, then you can do allergy testing or they may suggest trying eliminating wheat or soy as well. Good luck!

I cant bf full time my supply is so low we only get a few feedings a day ...he was in nicu for three weeks and didnt latch until 9 weeks old

Quoting Mary Stickles:" I cant bf full time my supply is so low we only get a few feedings a day ...he was in nicu for three weeks and didnt latch until 9 weeks old"

have you tried fenugreek to help boost your supply or even a prescription (I believe it was Reglen that my neighbor took to help hers)? Also maybe try getting him to latch on for a few minutes before giving the bottles so it will signal your body to produce more over time.

I have used tje fenugreek...didnt help...but o usually do try to bf hom fitst whayever he will take then use formula...it depends on his mood...preemies are a different breed of baby. lol my last child bf 15 months no issues at all.....then came my lil Dominick

Quoting Mary Stickles:" I have used tje fenugreek...didnt help...but o usually do try to bf hom fitst whayever he will take then ... [snip!] ... mood...preemies are a different breed of baby. lol my last child bf 15 months no issues at all.....then came my lil Dominick"

lol I understand. My friend child was a preemie and she was telling me about how her feeding were going. I think you are doing great to do both so I would just keep up what you are doing  

have u tried adding pumped breast milk to his formula? like 1oz of breast milk to 3oz of the formula? that way baby still gets the anti bodies and nutrients of the breast milk.

Hi I was wondering my son is 3 weeks old he was 8lbs n 4.3oz and hes dodo is still runny is that normal or what I breast feeding hym and I go place the daddy gives him formula..I'm just wondering cause wit my other two kids I never breast feed n this one I'm....so I'm worried...

Quoting mahea:" Hi I was wondering my son is 3 weeks old he was 8lbs n 4.3oz and hes dodo is still runny is that normal ... [snip!] ... daddy gives him formula..I'm just wondering cause wit my other two kids I never breast feed n this one I'm....so I'm worried..."

watery poop is normal with breastfeed babies. Mine is 7 months old and still has runny poop.

Totally normal...I acuallu breastfeed more on days when my son hasnt poooed because of the formula...it os a natural laxative lol

<blockquote><b>Quoting Zoe&Harper's Mom (Em):</b>" lol I understand. My friend child was a preemie and she was telling me about how her feeding were going. I think you are doing great to do both so I would just keep up what you are doing  "</blockquote>


Thank you I will keep trying...some is better than none I guess

<blockquote><b>Quoting Zoe&Harper's Mom (Em):</b>" watery poop is normal with breastfeed babies. Mine is 7 months old and still has runny poop."</blockquote>




Thank you I was kind of worry...

Quoting Mary Stickles:" My son was born at 33 weeks he is fourth months old next week. he has reflux BAD..is on meds and Enfamil ... [snip!] ... him...but is it really when he can not keep it down. so my question is do I still breastfeed or switch to formula full time?"

Keep breastfeeding because it is much better for babies in general.
I would however try cutting out dairy for a week or two and see if that helps. He could have an intolerance to the lactose.Oh and if you drink coffee try cutting that out if the dairy doesn't seem to do much. It can cause AR because the caffeine leaks into the milk.

One other thing, breastmilk is lighter then formula so they do tend to spit more of it up but that is a good thing in a sense because it is a lot less corrosive to their throat and a lot less painful coming back up. If your babe is gaining weight, do not worry about it to much. I would stop giving formula all together and see if cutting dairy helps. My son had AR and multiple pediatricians and my friends told me breast is best when it comes to this. It also has so many other benefits. It isn't worth giving up mama. Hope this helps! <3