Hi Amy,
Well, it seems the baby is refluxing and aspirating.
I think most healthcare providers, working with a mother who had previously
weaned, and with a baby with these feeding problems, would not advise a
mother to re-lactate.
But * I* still would because bf is normal infant feeding, and this baby
surely can benefit from the comfort, bonding, and growth/immunological
factors in his own mother's milk.
So I think mother should go forward with that.
If there truly is evidence of a milk/soy allergy or sensitivity, or just to
be on the safe side, mother can begin to learn what foods she should avoid
in her diet, and what foods she can eat. She will definitely be able to get
info on this at the Miss. BF Clinic. and on re-lactation.
I would think that carrying the baby in the kangaroo mother care way,
upright between mom's breasts, would be good for a baby with reflux.
I wonder about the 2-2.5 oz feed volumes, in light of the test results which
seem to show baby starts to reflux at 1.5 oz capacity. So I am wondering if
small frequent feeds would be more helpful?
I am wondering if baby will latch and take the breast for comfort, that
could be part of the relactation process (possibly with pumping and
galactagogues). And that over time, with medicine, positioning, and small
frequent feedings, the baby would improve on the reflux issue, and could go
on to bf as mom's supply goes up.
The mother surely needs lots of emotional support, and should realize this
process will likely take several weeks. She should not be made to feel like
she is being punished if baby does not improve, and does need a feeding tube
(some babies do to protect the airway), but that the feeding tube is needed
for baby to eat safely. Still most babies could suck the breast to some
extent, even a pumped breast if need be.
Keep us posted. Good luck.
Laurie
Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA

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