[puffsgirl11]

I pump for my nearly 3wk old every couple of hours and at night he is ff due to low supply (usually only 3 bottles).

I have noticed that when he has the EBM (only the last couple of days) he has had really bad wind issues and terrible tummy pains. Yesterday all he did was fart, burp, vomit and cry. He is on a thickened formula which he tolerates really well and doesn't vomit any of it up.

I'm wondering if in the last couple of days I have eaten something that is upsetting his belly. About 3 days ago I had a small amount of cabbage and a bit of milk (which I have tried to stay away from) and when he has had that batch of EBM that is when his tummy troubles started.

Should I throw out that batch of EBM? Also how long would the side effects of food I eat last in my breast milk?

[lucky 2]

All I can say is to always prioritise your own milk, in terms of risk/benefit, the ebm will always win out over the formula unless there is a medical need not to give breast milk (rare).
So I would give it.
Your baby is still young, 3 weeks of age, babies of this age often develop what I call a "cot allergy" and need to be held and not so happy to be put down.
Being kept in an upright position after feeds might be just what your baby needs to help milk "go down".
This unsettled behaviour tends to be worse in the evenings and often increases to a peak at 6-8 weeks.
But, I do always try to look for other interpretations of newborn behaviour rather than looking at the breast milk itself as being the possible cause of a problem, because mothers milk isn't usually the culprit.

[Riotproof]

Don't throw away the EBM. It's liquid gold. Does he seem to be gulping those feeds? Maybe try feeding him a bit earlier than you have been? Not sure why you are expressing, but is feeding at the breast an option. That will hopefully help because three weeks is a general growth spurt time, IIRC.
For wind, have you tried a warm bath? That can sometimes relax the bowels and let the wind out.

Have you had a look at things like Wonder Weeks or the purple crying website? Sometimes they really are just crying because they're babies, I know it's hard to handle.

[deejie]

It's very easy with newborns to try and do the whole "cause and effect". I did this, this might be why my baby is crying. I ate that, perhaps that is why my baby is crying. Sometimes, newborns just cry (and cry and cry!). The purple crying website is a really good read and might help you understand the wide range of what is considered normal newborn behaviour.

If you ask on here what foods "upset" your baby, you are guaranteed to get every answer under the sun If you really are worried, you can keep a food diary but conversely you could also completely do your head in trying to find a relationship between food and behaviour that isn't there!

It is a very rare medical situation where formula is better than breastmilk and I personally would always prioritise feeding EBM over formula. I know you have been struggling with breastfeeding and I think you are doing an amazing job with all the expressing.

[CharliMarley]

I don't know why you are expressing and giving formula, but as your baby is only 3 weeks of age, could you seek the assistance of a lactation consultant. More feeding (like every 2 hours) usually gets the milk up and running, so could you try that. Newborns have a lot of feeds in the first few months and some babies will feed 17 times in the 24 hour period, whereas the average is 11 times, so frequent feeding is the way to go and formula is probably upsetting your bubs.

[calomamma]

I had a similar issue right at the beginning when DD had a shallow latch. In my case I was determined to breastfeed, so I would have her feed for 15mins and then offer her EBM (which was expressed at the previous feed).

DD developed major issues with wind pain, gas & burps. My instinct was that the teet flow was too quick. I tried about 5 brands..yes it cost alot in bottles & teets! but eventually used Avent and her symptoms stopped immediately. I always used the newborn teet and then eventually moved up one.

FYI, for anyone reading this post with breastfeeding issues, I would offer the breast even though she wasn't eating correctly, to ensure she learnt 'how' to eat from the breast. I had to do this for the first 2 months, and I am happy to say she is a very efficient breastfeeding bubs now. No more bottles!

[lozzylots]

Hey puffsgirl, I don't have an answer exactly but wanted to offer support as I'm going through the same thing at the moment and our bubs are the same age. FWIW I don't believe it's what I've been eating, and agree with PP about teats - I'm looking at switching bottles/teats in case it's a flow thing?
Also just wanted to say good work, I'm also expressing full time due to loads of probs BF (and yes, I've seen 2 LC's) and it's hard work. I know you've had issues breastfeeding and it's a tough decision to have to make, so it's not nice when you get questioned why you're doing it - you are doing your best for your bubs and ultimately he's getting your milk which is great. All the best (and remember sometimes they just have off days, and you will never work out why!)

[feliz6]

My DS is breast fed and was having quite a lot of trouble with gas. I also wondered if my diet was to blame and spoke with nurse pharmacist and lactation consultant. All said it was a big assumption to make and that it was unlikely to be my diet. I was told I would need to majorly over indulge for diet to be the cause. DS still has a little trouble with gas but it's better than it was.