We went through a time where we had to literally force two of our DD to eat (eventually the third showed signs too, but several weeks later). We had to literally hold them and force them to suck on the bottle and they would cry because they were hungry, and then cried cause they hurt. This went on for too long, with consumption decreasing daily. Eventually they would take an ounce or two every two hours or so and then refuse everything else. They had milk soy protein allergies...they were allergic to the large protein strands that are in the formula (or in your breastmilk if you eat milk or soy). They were switched to Nutramigen and improved....within a few days they were increasing their feeds again.

They also suffered from reflux which can also cause this behavior. Everyone refluxes a bit...you and I do it. The trouble occurs when it either comes too far up and gets into the airway or if it is too often and aggravates the lining and every time they swallow it hurts so bad you want to die (happened in the hospital to me when they switched my heartburn meds) This can cause bottle refusal too.

One of ours had very bad milk soy protein allergy, and bad reflux aggravated by a hiatal hernia (hereditary from me). This combo caused her to start loosing weight because she learned if she didn't eat it didn't hurt. She ended up on an NG tube for about 8 months(that was such a hard decision but it was so good for her)

It was mainly by me pushing the point that these things were discovered...your gut is right...keep pushing until they listen. Take videos, keep logs of the amounts and times, and how long it takes to feed her....read up on these conditions and symptoms so you know what to ask and look for, keep scheduling appointments for followup. You both will make it through this, but it is much better for her that you keep on the doctors to find the problem.

Susan

PS...please keep me posted on this, I worry about babies and parents who are going through what we did.

Parent to GGG born 31 weeks 4 days 4/26/07




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