Baby is starving :( EBF but won’t take bottle

What kind of bottle are you using? Also if she her soft spot is sinking and you see blood in urine I would consider that as an emergency. Take her to doctor asap

I'd take her to hospital if she has blood in her urine, that's emergency for sure Also have you tried breastfeeding vitamins? Or mums milk tea? I had both and my milk supply got lots better after Also my daughter took the mam bottles without issues

With blood in the urine, that is an emergency. Because I've seen EBF mean different things, to clarify are you pumping breast milk to feed via bottle only or are you also feeding via your breast? If the latter, is she latching to your breast and getting milk? If you haven't tried her directly on the breast, it's worth a try. But you definitely need to get her to an emergency room ASAP if she is having blood in her urine and is dehydrated.

She needs to go to a hospital asap… I’m so sorry this is happening, but the sunken soft spot and blood in urine are very alarming.

@Kelli yeah she’s always on the boob and I went to the doctor and they said they assume she is slightly dehydrated

As a breastfeeding mom of 2 boys (I just had my second who is less than 3 weeks old) the only bottles they took are Evenflo. You can get them at target a pack of 3! They are made specifically for breast-feeding babies as a nipple is wide. You can also order the different flow nipples on their website medium flow for 6 month and extra flow for 12 months. I have also found that neither or my boys drank the formula made in the US. They only drank the brands made in Australia or Europe. You can also find these in target and they also carry some brands at Walmart.

@Makayla yes sorry to clarify. I do not think it’s blood. I think it’s urate crystals and it’s strange, she does have enough wet diapers and poo diapers a day. But she’s nearly 3 months old so it’s a little late to be having urate crystals. I took her to the doctor the other day out of concern for the look of blood in her diaper and they assume she is just slightly dehydrated, but for the life of me I cannot get her to take any bottles.

@Sofi Dj what brand of European formula do you like?

@Elyssa I took her to the pediatrician for it and they just assume she is slightly dehydrated and they told me to try giving her formula

I'm so sorry that your baby is going through this! Consult with a lactation consultant! Especially one that specializes in tongue ties. Also check out "Fed the Peds" directory for feeding therapists to help Good luck!

@Hailee Kendamil they both drank and loved. I’m trying Bubs organic made in Australia after my almost 3 week old finishes this container of Kendamil. But Kendamil is for sure a winner for both boys so far. Also just try the Evenflo bottle! I know every baby is different but I know a few different breastfeeding moms who also use this specific bottle for their babies.

This seems like it’s a medical emergency and beyond Peanut app expertise.

I wouldn't stress over her not taking a bottle if she's latching to your breast - unless you have to return to work and she needs to take a bottle because you will not be present. I would see if your insurance covers a lactation specialist to discuss the issues you're having with the breast pumps. It could be a flange sizing issue or another simple fix to be able to pump. Keep pressing with her doctor or see someone else about the blood in the urine, that is not normal and not to be ignored. You are your baby's best advocate, so speak loud and often to get the care you feel she needs.

@Alicia I went to the pediatrician and they said she’s likely dehydrated. I need to start supplementing with formula. I just can’t get her to take a bottle for the life of me.

@Makayla she has continuously been in the 27th percentile for her weight and height, except for when I went to the doctor recently she was just a little bit less than what she should’ve been apparently

My daughter was EBF and only took the lansinoh bottles.

Absolutely take her to hospital this seems like an emergency, if she’s this bad definetly try to at least get something in her with syringes

My baby was having wet diapers and poos when I was ebf but he wasn’t gaining weight and at times his soft spot was sunken. He had tongue tie. Get her checked for that, it can affect how they drink from a bottle too. Tongue tie will inevitably decrease your milk supply. You need to pump 5 / 6 times a day and at least once at around midnight to increase supply. I would be taking her to hospital with urate crystals. How has her weight gain been? Is she following the same centile line. I had syringe feed mine in a similar position.

Doctor asap. If she won't take any formula whatsoever (try Kendamil), they can get you an emergency prescription from a milk bank to get breast milk to supplement. I'd keep trying different bottles too but this is already ER territory.

@Shanna I believe I’ve asked a doctor once long ago if she had tongue tie and they looked and said no. I took her to the pediatrician the other day for the Urate crystals and they said it’s probably just dehydration and I need to start supplementing with formula. But I cannot get her to take formula. She has been consistently in the 27th percentile since she was born, except for recently, she’s on a slight decline.

@Dreia I went to the pediatrician for the urate crystals and sunken soft spot a few days ago and they said she is probably dehydrated and I should supplement with formula. I can’t get her to take any bottles though. That’s why I’m asking for advice

@Dreia well she breastfeeds for hours a day, I just don’t think I produce enough milk

I don’t care what your Pediatrician said… they need their license revoked! A sunken soft spot is a sign of *severe* dehydration. Your child needs IV fluids NOW… go to the hospital, girl! Even if we are all over reacting…. Better to have to pay for a hospital visit than risk having to pay for a funeral!! Sorry if i sound mean, but if this were my son I would be at the hospital already, not asking strangers for advice (and then ignoring said advice).

@Hailee once your baby is out of immediate danger, check again with a specialist for a tongue tie. It is WAY more nuanced of a diagnosis than simply looking under the tongue for a restriction. Majority of peds don't know how much it can affect feeding

Have you tried MAM bottles? The teats are designed to be shaped like a nipple so might help x

I’m sorry but I’d be pushing for more answers than a pediatrician saying it’s just dehydration and send me home. Soft spot sunken is a sign of needing fluids and that won’t really resolve unless IV fluids. Please take to the children’s ER which is the children’s emergency room not the pediatrician. As someone who EBF if my daughter showed any signs of dehydration I’d be going to the ER immediately anyway not the pediatrician. I get we want to sometimes trust a pediatrician but in this moment you can’t and I’d be going to a new pediatrician. Better to be safe than sorry.

I would be going straight in to the nearest hospital, if baby is dehydrated they need to go on drip asap

Try Kendamil . It’s sweet and frothy. I honestly think you should take her to the ER though so she can get some fluids in her & a doctor can help you with her latch.

Did you go to the ER? Sounds like baby needs IV fluids ASAP idc what the pediatrician said.. when I thought my sons soft spot was sunken in I took him to the children’s hospital and was told I was overreacting and he was fine. I’d rather be told that than regret not getting potential help. I think your instincts are going against your pediatrician and it’s confusing you but take baby ASAP…

This sounds like an immediate trip to the ER. I would also connect with a lactation specialist for support. Hope your baby is okay

Sometimes it's not that you're not producing enough milk but that she is noty strong enough to drink it. My second daughter was like that. The doctor said she exerted too much energy drinking, so she ended up falling asleep before getting enough nutrients. I know it's hard, but you need to supplement with formula. At least until she's strong enough. Pump in the meantime to keep up your supply. As soon as she's regain a good weight go back to EBF.

Needs repeat weight check and eval by lactation consultant ASAP. Her latch to the breast may be inadequate. And needs weighted feed to see how much she’s getting each session. Syringe feed her the formula while she’s not nursing, similar to how you’d feed her medicine. If you can handle it, pump after as many feeds as you can - goal is not to collect milk, goal is to tell your breasts to make more for the next feeding.

You posted 2wks ago about urate crystals / blood in your babies diaper… this is seriously alarming.

Moringa and mother’s milk drops helped a lot with milk production. My LO also had a TT

Can you update us- did you take your baby to ER? Hope she is ok.

Hospital visit ASAP. You need hands on advice with feeding. Needs to be checked for tongue tie or other feeding issues and if nothing is working then fluids need to be administered another way. Dehydration in such a young baby is very very dangerous!!!!

As a medical provider I agree that baby should be evaluated in an emergency setting to see if there is a need for IV hydration. Once that has been addressed dive into the other concerns. I had a similar issue, LO wasn’t dehydrated but not taking any bottle. It’s pricey, but totally worth it and the only bottle my son will take. Look into Hegen bottles. They also transition into sippy and straw cups too.

Update: she got a urine analysis done and it doesn’t indicate any dehydration. I wanted to get blood work done to see more but the doctors don’t think it’s necessary. She does do over 6 per diapers and 3 poo diapers a day, so I don’t know why her soft spot looks sunken in and about once a week we find a diaper with a little trace of urate crystals in it. She was consistently growing in the 27th percentile, but now that is slightly on a decline, so the doctors recommend me supplementing with formula. But I can’t get her to take a bottle. So if you guys have any advice on how to get the baby to take a bottle I greatly appreciate it!

@Hailee I’m glad baby is ok! you’re going to have to try a few different bottles out. For breastfeed babies I do recommend the Evenflo bottle. Both my boys are breastfeed and the only bottles they took. It has a wide nipple to mimic your breast shape.

Glad she is ok. Did no one offer any advice at the hospital regarding feeding? I’m surprised they didn’t assess your breastfeeding positioning / latch to see if they could figure out an issue. I would 100% recommend getting in touch with a lactation consultant or seeing if there are any local breastfeeding groups near you that could offer advice with breastfeeding as it sounds like there is an issue there. My eldest had minor tongue tie that went unnoticed for weeks and it was really difficult but once that got sorted everything changed and we breastfed till 15 months. In terms of bottles there are a few that are meant to be good for breastfed babies, lansinoh , mam and medela off the top of my head. You could also try feeding from a very small cup little sips rather than a bottle if she outright refuses it? Definitely seek some advice from professionals in person if things aren’t working ❤️‍🩹

@Hailee glad she’s okay. Get connected with a lactation specialist. Some may even do house visit. Your pediatrician or local hospital/birthing center should be able to connect you to one

My ebf baby will only take the Avent bottles with the level 3 nipple..he’s almost 6 months old. She may not want to take the bottle because she’s not getting the same flow type from it that your nipple gives once it starts. Whatever bottle you use maybe try going up a nipple size and see if that helps! Also very happy she’s okay 🩵

@Hailee Have you tried syringe feeding with formula? That's how I got my baby to gain weight when I couldn't latch him. You could try some kind of milk catcher like the haakaa so you can mix your breast milk with formula. She may just not be used to the taste yet. Sorry if that's not helpful. I know feeding issues can be so frustrating.