My 6 month old is losing weight due lack of breast milk and refusal to take a bottle. What do I do?

Question

We have been introducing food since she was about 4 months old, she throws up after every feeding no matter how much or how little we give her, and her doctors have no answers, so she can't really eat baby food. I have also almost completly stopped producing, can't figure out why. She refuses to take a bottle no matter what. We have tried every bottle, every nipple, sippy cups everything, and I don't know what to do. If she doesn't start to gain weight soon, and taking a bottle, then the doctors are going to hospitalize her and put a tube down her throat until she takes a bottle. PLEASE HELP US TO GET HER TO TAKE A BOTTLE AND MAYBE EAT SOME FOOD SO SHE CAN GAIN WEIGHT!!!!!

Answer 1

I don't know how to get her to take a bottle, but you can supplement at the breast.

Take a medicine dropper and fill it with formula and then gently insert it in the corner of her mouth while she's nursing and slowly feed it to her. It may take awhile, but you can get her to take 2 - 4 ounces easily and then at least she's getting something.

Answer 2

Onl.Y 14 kilos at 6m, that is not particularly that small. I'm wondering the place the knowledge is coming from that is causing a lot nervousness, i would wager that it is from someone that is inexperienced. It sounds like the youngster is not equipped for strong foods, just give it time. Are you urging the baby to consume after which the youngster is throwing up? Is it spit up or throw up, there may be a tremendous change. Does the baby exhibit signs of interest in solid foods, does he/she try and grab food from your plate? If you're fairly concerned then go and get a 2d opion from an additional general practitioner and put your mind to ease.

Answer 3

Forget the doctors, have you called the lactation consultants? Are they IBC? (Board certified?) I highly recommend that you call La Leche League if you aren't getting help from the lactation consultants.

It's ok for her not to eat baby food, in fact, it's preferable if she needs to gain weight for her to be only on breastmilk.

You don't need to make her take a bottle, you need to make her take the breast.

Have you taken any medications lately or have you experienced stress that might lessen your supply. How do you KNOW for sure that you have a low supply?

The number one thing you need to do is to nurse her as much as possible. Spend the next couple days doing nothing but nursing. This should bring your supply back (if it was every really low.) You can also try an herb called Fenugreek (also found in mother's tea) available at health food stores, and eating oatmeal as that increases milk naturally.

There is NOTHING as digestible as your milk, and nothing as comforting to the baby as being at your breast. You must take deep breaths and try to relax, focus on your baby. I fought through supply issues and the main thing was to nurse constantly for a couple days. Lie in bed, or on the couch and just nurse her.

Please read the links below on increasing the weight in a breastfed baby and how to tell if you're getting enough. Don't lose hope, you can fix this!!

Answer 4

Have you tried different formulas yet? If you've been trying to give your baby the same formula and she keeps throwing up she could be allergic to it. This sounds a lot like an allergy to me. If the doctors haven't tested her for a milk or food allergy they should. I would also try to consult a Naturopathic Doctor or herbalist for different teas you can drink that will make you lactate. I've heard of a nettle tea that works well. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

I agree you need a pump & my suggestion is medela - if you aren't producing you need something with the power to pull the milk out & a cheap one from a store is not going to do it.
http://www.medela.com/default.html
Check your area for breastfeeding stores, many rent equipment - or contact your local la leche league for referrals.
Also, if your baby will not take a natural style nipple it's time to drop the bottle option & go to spoon feeding if necessary.
Don't give large amounts of baby food - use only rice cereal & make it practically water.
Good luck & God Bless.

Answer 6

Onl.y 14 pounds at 6m, it is not any longer quite that small. i'm wondering the position the suggestion is coming from it is causing a lot rigidity, i'd guess that this is from someone it is eco-friendly. It sounds like the newborn isn't waiting for sturdy meals, only provide it time. Are you urging the newborn to eat and then the newborn is throwing up? Is it spit up or throw up, there's a large difference. Does the newborn instruct signs and indicators of pastime in sturdy meals, does he/she attempt to grab food out of your plate? in case you're quite in contact then pass and get a 2d opion from yet another wellbeing care professional and placed your ideas to ease.

Answer 7

Try Mothers Milk Tea and/or Fenugreek to increase your milk supply, and pump often. You could buy an SNS system - it's a bag with a tube that attaches to the mother's nipple. One brand name is 'Lact-Aid'. I have no ideas on the bottle itself - I never could get my son to take one.

Answer 8

try drinking skim milk at breakfast instead of juice overweight people who drank skim milk for breakfast ate fewer calories

Answer 9

Take the stairs

Answer 10

It sounds like she needs to see a specialist. There has got to be a reason she cannot keep food down. Babies don't just throw up for no reason.


Personally......at this point if she can take real food such as mashed potatoes and gravy or macaroni and cheese then I would feed it to her in small amounts and see if she can keep it down.