I'm starting to get really worried about this. I've posted in the last couple weeks about my DD's low weight gain in the last several weeks (1.5-2oz per week for the last two months). She's about 12 weeks now. I have been off dairy for weeks but did try kefir for a few days last week (total of a cup, max) and I don't know if this is just residual consequence of that or what. I'm also at my parents for a week visiting with my two kids.
Half the time (and getting to be more than half the time) she will.not.nurse. She just starts crying. The best time she DOES nurse is at night or after I wake her up from a deep sleep. Because of her low gain, I am trying to feed her more often, but many, many times in the last week that has simply backfired to result in more screaming and missed feedings. In the last 4-5 days laying down to nurse has helped, but even now, she is crying when we do that.
I just don't know what to do. She may have mild tongue tie, but that can't be looked at for another week yet.
She never nurses for comfort but loves to suck on a pacifier.
She seems to have a good bit of congestion lately that I believe is interfering at times. It took me till today to remember to put breastmilk in it. I have used the suction to get a good bit out and it's yellowish.
But mainly, what do I DO when she refuses to nurse? Do I give up, pump and give her the bottle? Try again and risk two more hours passing without any demand being placed on my breast to keep supply up? (meaning, I might attempt 45 min later, fail, try again, fail, etc). She needs to eat. I either need to pump or try again in a half hour or so but trying again after a short time has backfired several times. The only thing that has worked is her sleeping for a good nap then waking and eating, but then by that time, it's a good 3-4 hours between feedings, and she's getting 3oz max, more like 2-2.5 oz and that is far too little for her to consume. She'll take a bottle but I worry about doing that too much, yet she needs to eat! What do I do?? I fear the future of our breastfeeding relationship if I offer the bottle too much. Each feeding, I am stressed that she'll suck once or twice and start crying. If so, that is The End of that nursing session.
I tried laying down with her tonight just to lay then have my breast near her to latch on if she wanted. She laid there content, then when the nipple was near started crying.
In trying to feed her more often to compensate for poor feeding, her naps are getting pretty distrupted and part of the issue may be she's too tired to nurse (esp if she has tongue tie which may tire her more to begin with to nurse).
But then other times, it's totally fine! I just don't understand. And I can't afford a private lactation appointment either. I went to a drop in clinic last week but didn't get too much help besides a possible mild tongue tie.
Can this be lasting effects of the dairy and maybe it'll get better?
