My daughter is 8 weeks old and is fed both breast milk and formula (both from a bottle). (We are NOTbreastfeeding - I pump and she eats the milk from a bottle (long story) and this works well for us.)
I've noticed that she spits up only after drinking the breast milk - doesn't matter what I've eaten. I've never seen her spit up after eating the same amount of formula. She's thriving, so it isn't a problem, but I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this phenomenon and/or has any idea why this is occurring.
It sounds to me like she may have very slight reflux. Breastmilk is more watery than formula. That is why when babies have severe reflux the drs sometimes recommed thickining the milk with cereal. You are definetly NOT to that point, I just mention it because it may be that she just needs a little more time to develop her muscles in order to keep down the watery breastmilk versus the thicker formula.
Hi there... I am feeding my DD as we speak so please excuse any typing errors :)
What I am going to write are only suggestions. Your best bet is to contact your pediatrician and get an appointment.... since your babys' issue could be a number of things.
1. Infant formula is always he same, where your breast milk is constantly changing. Please remember that, like pregnancy, anything thay enters YOUR mouth evers your babys' mouth. Over the counter meds, soda, rich foods... even water. Maybe it could be something in your diet.
2. Slight Acid Reflux? Formula is thicker than Breastmilk... therefore making it easier for baby to keep it down.
3. Perhaps her feeding position? This suggestion isnt meant to tork your melon... but pay attention the next time baby is both bottlefed and breatfed. What are the main differences besides her meal?
4. Your let down. If its too fast, there is alot of gulping... too slow, alot of highly pressured sucking. Maybe do a pump session and see how the plumbing is running right now,
5. Your stress. Babys can pick up on it pretty easily.... are you starting to get stressed when you are breastfeeding?
6. Possible allergy to your breastmilk. I dont know alot about this subject, but I have heard it happens. This is something a DR could better help you with.
Good Luck to you guys. Just try not to panic and maybe set up a dr visit.
Also I would like to add... Breastmilk is awesome for babies... doing breast and formula is a great option for many families... your going great :)
How long after taking the breastmilk? Are you drinking milk?
This may sound crazy, but I knew one mother who had a child who always had a reaction to breastmilk. It turned out to be the water she was drinking! So are you mixing the formula with water or buying canned?
I am somewhat confused though as to why you are bottle feeding her breastmilk when the boobs are available? And why add formula if you are giving her breastmilk?
:)
Sorry I cant speak to this exactly as I find the opposite- that my daughter spits after formula. I see other posters haven't read that they are both bottled. I will say that what you are doing is fine - gotta do what works for you and baby! But I do notice that my daughter rarely spits after actually breastfeeding, takes breastmilk bottled ok, formula is the worst. Would you be willing to try breastfeeding her to see if it is the EBM bottled or the milk? Maybe it is that she likes the breastmilk more and takes it faster or takes slightly more than the formula and that being more than she can handle?
Good luck and keep us posted!
You might have a super fast let-down. I am not sure if I remember correctly but I have heard that this will happen with a fast let down, and that you should pump a little tiny bit first. I believe that was what I read. The pumping first will get that initial let down over with so they aren't gulping it in trying to drink it so fast that they ingest a lot of air.
You should try also try sitting her a little more upright after a feeding as well, like prop her up in a boppy or something for a little while.
Otherwise it is probably a matter of positioning or that she is not properly latched on. If pumping/expressing a little first doesn't fix the problem, you could try to call a lactation consultant or your local La Leche League to get help with a different position or fixing her latch. Good luck!
It may be the position she's laying in while breast feeding vs. drinking from a bottle, which may indicate a swallowing problem. Make sure to mention it to her pediatrician at her next appointment. They can do a video swallow test to make sure she is able to swallow correctly.
You could have a really fast let down with your milk and your daughter gets a lot of milk all at the same time. That happened with me with both my kids and they spit up a lot, especially the first one. A lot of times I would pull them off when my milk let down and then latched them on again after it let down so the milk wouldn't come so fast. I also leaned back a little bit when my milk first let down. Once they got older and bigger and better nursers they didn't spit up as much because they could handle the large volume of milk coming at them. My kids also were thriving and putting on weight was never an issue for them too they just spit up a lot when I nursed. I hope this may help! Good Luck.
lol thats funny.
my son was only breastfed, and he sure did his share of spitting up. im guessing because breastmilk is so much more thin and liquidy (which is a GOOD thing) it is easier to come up. what is she doing after feeding? lying on her stomach ? any high amounts of activity/bouncing etc? just be careful after feeding, and just keep doing what you are doing. im glad that you are still breastfeeding even part time! :) keep up the good work, and remember your supply is determined by demand; the less she nurses, the less your supply will be. keep it up though; even if you arent exclusive, breastmilk is the best you can give your baby!! :) :)
Another option to consider is that there is something you are eating that your daughter is allergic or intolerant to. The only way you'll know to what, though, is by having a Naturopathic Doctor take a food test to see.
When I was 6 months old, I refused the breast. I was completely breastfed. It wasn't a time when formula was out or a big thing like it was today. My parents had to put me on 100% cow's milk. And I wouldn't drink out of a bottle, either; it had to be from a cup (my poor parents, God bless them!). I have no idea if I was already allergic or intolerant to something at that young of an age, but now that I'm in my 40s I have tested positive for severe casein allergy (cow's milk) and severe soy and gluten intolerance.
Definitely something that should be looked into.
