I am scared. Dr is recommending a two week trial on formula. What should I do?
Crystal Pazour
We worked with a parent whose baby was experiencing extreme gas and irritability. After running several tests, the Doctor recommended switching to formula for two weeks. The parent was concerned and said:
"Although I just want my baby feeling better, I'm not ready to give up breast feeding."
Has anyone else experienced a similar situation with their baby's feeding and digestive issues? Tell us about it!
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Comments
It can be upsetting to receive this type of recommendation from the doctor especially when you want to continue to breastfeed. While the doctor's recommendation may seem scary, it's crucial to remember that their goal is to ensure your baby's health.
And there are options! You can pump to keep up your supply. It is recommended to pump every 2 hours during the day and every 3-4 at night to maintain your supply, but you could also just stick with your baby's routine, pumping when your baby eats.
Trust your instincts and know that there's no one-size-fits-all solution in parenting. We're here to support you every step of the way.
I learned with my first son that what I ate came thru the breastmilk and affected him. If I drank more than a cup of coffee or ate 85% dark chocolate, he was fussy. As soon as I made the connection, I was careful on the coffee and stopped eating the chocolate. Problem solved!
What moms eat can affect their breastfed baby. I've noticed, working with moms, that if they had an allergy when they were little, like to eggs or peanuts (but eat them now as an adult), their baby genetically may not be able to handle them. One mom had an allergy to eggs as a little girl, had baby tested after he broke out with eczema, and he too had the egg allergy.
Some doctors may suggest cutting out dairy first in a mom's diet, as cows' milk proteins can pass into breastmilk and be hard for baby to digest- leading to gas and fussiness too.
This may not be the case for each gassy, irritable baby, but it's definitely worth considering!
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