Low blood sugars! They keep forcing formula down his throat!

[kaths101]

Hello all, I had my little man George Oliver on sunday 21st July. He was not so little at 10lbs 11oz!!he arrived in 6 hours and we had an amazing but painful water birth.
Because of his weight he had low blood sugar tests over 24 hours, I really didn't want to stay in, he was healthy and breast feeding really well. Fed for an hour after birth etc.
the last test before we were allowed home was low so we weren't allowed home and had to do another 24 hours of tests (heel pricks every 3/4 hours).

So were now into his second day, his levels have been great all day but again we've just had one low one and they're saying we have to stay in again. I am so down now, I feel it's interrupting breast feeding, my milk is coming in and he latches and feeds well, yet they keep force feeding him formula, im hating it, tearful and hate the formula feeding it seems so much to tip down his throat and then he just sicks it all up.
I think if they just let me persevere with demand feeding he will sort himself out, they're not letting me feed on demand as he's got to wait the 3 hours so he's screaming his head off. I just feel like walking out and discharging myself.
Thanks for listening.. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Kellen]

I don't know about the UK, but here in the states they cannot force feed your baby. We were luck enough to give birth at a Baby Friendly hospital that was exceptionally supportive of BF. My LO also had low sugars, but they came up when we began feeding on demand. Instead of doing the heal prick every three hours ask them if they can do it before every feed that he takes from you. That is what we did and her levels rose and stayed steady. Or ask if you can pump and they feed him only your EBM.

 

[summer rain]

I'm pretty shocked and I am sure they are not allowed to do this. Surely there is a sensible paediatrician available who you can get a second opinion from and who can intervene on your behalf? There was a lady on my ward when I had my youngest and she had GD, it was decided to give some formula until her milk came in but they always let her breastfeed first and then offer the formula, after about 12 hours baby was no longer really taking any formula and readings were ok so they said to drop the formula and supported her in BF exclusively. I experienced them insisting on giving my second youngest formula and I seriously wish I would have put in a complaint as there was no medical basis for it in his case at all xx

 

[JaneyScot]

Your experience sounds similar to mine. My ds2 who is also a big guy was born last Wednesday and was being checked for blood sugars. When they fell the doc wanted to start formula feeding. They were really pushing for him to have it. I refused until I could speak to the breastfeeding counsellor, who luckily was on the ward at the time. She agreed with me that there was no need for formula at this stage and really fought my corner with me. It's hard when they insist to know what to do, I really understand how you feel.

In my case with my ds1 the introduction of formula early on did effect my supply so was keen to avoid it.

We have been feeding on demand for 6 days(although not without problems).

Is there a breastfeeding counsellor at your hospital that you could ask to speak to for a second opinion?

 

[CatherineK]

Refuse. It is your child, your right!

 

[seaweed eater]

I'm going to disagree with the other posters. My understanding is that hypoglycemia is a legitimate medical reason for supplementation.

We had a similar situation and I was devastated that mine was given formula, but after doing some reading about it I came to believe that it was the best thing for him.

We were able to EBF effortlessly once he was discharged at 5 days old, I think due to some important things we did right:

1) No artificial nipples. See if you can get a supplemental nursing system, or if not that, a syringe or cup.

2) As little formula as possible. Mine had 15 ml every 3 hours.

3) Continue feeding on demand and at LEAST every 3 hours. If he's asleep, wake him up. Even if he has regained his birth weight.

4) Pump at least once for every time he has formula.

I just reread and noticed that they are not letting you feed on demand. THAT is not ok and not medically indicated. You can tell them you consent to the formula if you are worried about his sugars, but you WILL feed him EVERY time he cries. He is your child and you have every right.

 

[JessPape]

Nurse, nurse, and nurse... It really is what is best for him, and your supply and your nursing. It will help your milk come in and I promises his levels will come up.

 

[JessPape]

Also, they can't force feed him. If you don't want formula step in and say no formula.

 

[JessPape]

I'm going to disagree with the other posters. My understanding is that hypoglycemia is a legitimate medical reason for supplementation.

We had a similar situation and I was devastated that mine was given formula, but after doing some reading about it I came to believe that it was the best thing for him.

We were able to EBF effortlessly once he was discharged at 5 days old, I think due to some important things we did right:

1) No artificial nipples. See if you can get a supplemental nursing system, or if not that, a syringe or cup.

2) As little formula as possible. Mine had 15 ml every 3 hours.

3) Continue feeding on demand and at LEAST every 3 hours. If he's asleep, wake him up. Even if he has regained his birth weight.

4) Pump at least once for every time he has formula.

I just reread and noticed that they are not letting you feed on demand. THAT is not ok and not medically indicated. You can tell them you consent to the formula if you are worried about his sugars, but you WILL feed him EVERY time he cries. He is your child and you have every right.

Actually colostrum and breastmilk are ten times BETTER than formula...

"The best way to prevent low blood sugar is to feed the baby with milk. However, formula and breastmilk (specifically colostrum in these early days) are not equivalent and colostrum is far better to prevent and treat low blood sugar than formula (See point #5 below). A little bit of colostrum maintains the blood sugar better than a lot of formula.1,2,3"

https://www.nbci.ca/index.php?optio...emia-of-the-newborn-low-blood-sugar&Itemid=17 and numerous sites will say this.

If you are offering formula, do it after feeds, and make sure that formula is being offered by a dopper or spoon, as to not mix with ur nursing (Nipple confusion)

"The baby should be encouraged to breastfeed as soon as possible after the birth. Having the baby skin to skin with the mother helps a lot as the baby may latch on all by himself. A good latch also helps, so the baby gets the colostrum. Compression while breastfeeding gets more colostrum into the baby. Also see the video clips."

Please ask how to compress your breast while nursing also.

 

[seaweed eater]

Oh I'm in no way saying that colostrum isn't better than formula. I did say to nurse on demand, didn't I? But if that is happening and the baby's sugar is still low, then colostrum + formula presumably is better than just colostrum, no?

 

[kaths101]

Hiya, thank you for your thoughts girls, I will clear a few things up..
I didn't have an objection to the formula as such I would have still topped up if he was rooting for more, the issue really was they wouldn't allow me to breastfeed on demand and when i did which was every 3/4 hours I was only 'allowed' 10 minutes and then they shoved 50mls of formula per feed into his mouth andi was told he had to have it all.
Luckily I breastfed my first son so knew I had to get my supply working and did carry on util i put myfoot down, said it was all wrong and I just hated 50mls then being shoved in which he obviously didnt want as he just sickedit all up again.
I breastfed all day yesterday, no formula and we had to good readings of 2.9 and 3.9 and were discharged. Thank god for that!
They are definitely not supporting breast is best though as all 6 ladies on my word even though 5 wanted to exc bf were given formula to feed!