My baby was born at 32 weeks and suffers from acid reflux. She is now 37 weeks and tends to have no interest in bottle feeding. Some days she will do well and other days she will not take anything. She is still in the NICU and has a feeding tube in her nose to supplement most of her meals. She is a big healthy baby weighing 7.5lbs. The only thing keeping her in the hospital is the fact she will not eat. It is fustrating and scary at the same time.

Has anyone else had this same problem? I am terrified she will not eat and eventually need to have surgery.

Thank you,
Myla's_Mom

Hi! My son was a 28 weeker who could have gone home much sooner if he'd chosen to eat, too. How are they treating the reflux? Meds? Thickening? Different formulas? Is an ST or OT helping you with feeds? A therapist may have suggestions about trying different nipples or feeding positions.

Good luck! I hope you get to bring your baby home soon! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hi there and welcome tot he boards! My boys were born at 34 weeks exactly. They were 4lb6oz and 4lb9oz and after 3 weeks of NG tube feeds, they were able to feed from bottles (expressed breastmilk) that had prem nipples. We came home after they could bottle feed independently for 48 hours. I won't say feeding times were easy.. they weren't and it was that way for about the 1st 5 months. It took me forever to feed them (like 2 hours)... 3 hourly, aorund the clock...... I was a walking zombie. They both had reflux. I really hope that someone is helping you with the feeding in the NICU... Lactation consultant, SLP, OT???? And that he is on meds????
Hang in there hon :hug:

She is taking Malox before each feeding and Prevacid and Reglan. They have not tried switching formulas or anything else. We are working with an OT but she does not seem to have much advice. They stopped her bottle feeds for 48 hours and we are going to try again in the morning. They are going to remove her tube and see if she feeds any better. When did you son start eating?

I'm sorry that this is delaying your discharge home but I cannot stress enough the importance of getting the feeding well established before you leave...... my boys were really poor feeders, esp. Stephen but he did pull his NG tube out and because he took *most* of his bottles, they discharged him. He wasn't really ready and the reflux wasn't diagnosed at that time either :roll:
I wish you luck with tomorrow.. remember, it;s a new day and there is new potential....... I hope that she takes some of that bottle for you..... :hug: hang in there....

The NG tube really does make feeding tougher -- it's so irritating -- so I hope you'll see some good progress after they pull it.

Thanks to both of you for the support...

Have a good evening.
Christine

You too.... good luck for tomorrow....... :hug: