Troubleshooting Infant Feeding: A Guide for New Parents

Question
Hi Cheri,

I am writing on behalf of my wife,

We have a two week old boy who is having problems feeding.

Breast feeding is very pain full for my wife, so she uses a pump, also she does not produce enough milk so we suplement with formula, at first we were using Similac Advanced formula, however the baby seemed to have stomach pains, so we contacted his doctor, and he advised us to change to Enfamil Prosobee Lipil, which is a Lactose Free formula (Reason for it was that my wifes mum and brother are both lactose intolerent)

It has been over 72hrs since we changed formulas, however the baby is still restless and seems to twist and turn as if he had a stomach pain, also he seems to be even more hungry (we feed him every 3hrs with 2.5oz of breast milk and suplement with 1.5oz of formula)
He also has the hiccups after he eats.

My Questions are:
(A) Is it possible that the baby does not like the combination of breast milk and formula (considering that mum is eating dairy products)

(B) Can we give him Gripe Water for the stomach pain and if so how much and how often.

(C) How much and how often should a 2 week old baby (+/- 8lbs) be eating.

(D) Can we give him water for his hiccup's.

Thank you.
Reza


Answer
Hello Reza. You need to change the strategy here. First- look in your local phone book for La Leche League- if it is not there, call the labor and delivery unit at the hospital and ask them for it. Don't let THEM try to give you advise- call La Leche League. Your baby needs to be nursing exclusively at the breast with NO BOTTLES at all. The reason your wife has sore nipples is that your baby has not yet learned the proper way to suck on her nipples. Using the bottle only makes the problem MUCH worse because that is a different way of sucking. Once the latching is corrected, the nipples will heal and all will be well. Her supply will increase with proper sucking from the baby- a pump is not a good substitute for baby. Call La Leche League RIGHT NOW- this evening- they are the TRUE experts regarding breastfeeding- NOT your dr, a nurse or a lactation consultant. LLL Leaders are available 24 hours a day and one may come to your home to help get baby properly nursing. Please let me know how you make out- all the best- Cheri.