So, we got the feeding tube, which was supposed to solve all the feeding problems. Unfortunately, that isn't what has happened. It's only been 3 weeks, but I'm just as frustrated now as before.<br><br>Currently, we're at a 30 calorie concentration on formula, which he doesn't tolerate for continuous feeds overnight. When we messed up the conversion and he was getting a lower calorie formula, he had no problem with the overnight feeds at the same volume. As soon as we corrected the error - vomiting again.<br><br>My question - what have you used to supplement calories in formula? I'm certain we have to reduce the concentration, but need to add calories in some way.<br><br>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!<br><br>
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- Thread starter CJPsMom
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So, we got the feeding tube, which was supposed to solve all the feeding problems. Unfortunately, that isn't what has happened. It's only been 3 weeks, but I'm just as frustrated now as before.<br><br>Currently, we're at a 30 calorie concentration on formula, which he doesn't tolerate for continuous feeds overnight. When we messed up the conversion and he was getting a lower calorie formula, he had no problem with the overnight feeds at the same volume. As soon as we corrected the error - vomiting again.<br><br>My question - what have you used to supplement calories in formula? I'm certain we have to reduce the concentration, but need to add calories in some way.<br><br>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!<br><br>
So, we got the feeding tube, which was supposed to solve all the feeding problems. Unfortunately, that isn't what has happened. It's only been 3 weeks, but I'm just as frustrated now as before.<br><br>Currently, we're at a 30 calorie concentration on formula, which he doesn't tolerate for continuous feeds overnight. When we messed up the conversion and he was getting a lower calorie formula, he had no problem with the overnight feeds at the same volume. As soon as we corrected the error - vomiting again.<br><br>My question - what have you used to supplement calories in formula? I'm certain we have to reduce the concentration, but need to add calories in some way.<br><br>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!<br><br>
M
Mommafirst
Guest
Perhaps if you slow down the feed a bit, you'll be able to get more calories in. I remember the first few months after the tube, and it was very frustrating, my daughter was vomiting a lot. It got much much much better over time, so hand in there. Go back and read my blog from 2009, you'll see how frustrated I was....no weight gain for almost 5 months until it got really much better.
In our experience, slower feeding was a must. We still only go at 45 mls/hr. We can still get the better of 2 cans of boost in over the night time. And she gains well on that....even if we only do three or 4 nights a week.
Hang in there....it will get easier.
In our experience, slower feeding was a must. We still only go at 45 mls/hr. We can still get the better of 2 cans of boost in over the night time. And she gains well on that....even if we only do three or 4 nights a week.
Hang in there....it will get easier.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
Perhaps if you slow down the feed a bit, you'll be able to get more calories in. I remember the first few months after the tube, and it was very frustrating, my daughter was vomiting a lot. It got much much much better over time, so hand in there. Go back and read my blog from 2009, you'll see how frustrated I was....no weight gain for almost 5 months until it got really much better.
In our experience, slower feeding was a must. We still only go at 45 mls/hr. We can still get the better of 2 cans of boost in over the night time. And she gains well on that....even if we only do three or 4 nights a week.
Hang in there....it will get easier.
In our experience, slower feeding was a must. We still only go at 45 mls/hr. We can still get the better of 2 cans of boost in over the night time. And she gains well on that....even if we only do three or 4 nights a week.
Hang in there....it will get easier.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
Perhaps if you slow down the feed a bit, you'll be able to get more calories in. I remember the first few months after the tube, and it was very frustrating, my daughter was vomiting a lot. It got much much much better over time, so hand in there. Go back and read my blog from 2009, you'll see how frustrated I was....no weight gain for almost 5 months until it got really much better.
<br />
<br />In our experience, slower feeding was a must. We still only go at 45 mls/hr. We can still get the better of 2 cans of boost in over the night time. And she gains well on that....even if we only do three or 4 nights a week.
<br />
<br />Hang in there....it will get easier.
<br />
<br />In our experience, slower feeding was a must. We still only go at 45 mls/hr. We can still get the better of 2 cans of boost in over the night time. And she gains well on that....even if we only do three or 4 nights a week.
<br />
<br />Hang in there....it will get easier.
Have you tried different types of supplements? Sometimes ones that are predigested will be better tolerated than ones designed to be taken orally. I know with Emily we also started with a VERY slow rate and gradually increased every 7-14 days (depending on how things were going)- therefore it was a couple months before she was gaining a significant amount of weight, but it was well worth it, because once she started gaining she really took off. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br>
<br>Emily uses Peptamen Jr 1.5 (375cal/can) and it is high in MCT fat and has predigested protein- both of which make it particularly easy for those with CF to digest. She gets enzymes at the beginning and halfway through. When she had an issue with vomiting at the hospital they diluted with pedialyte but that was a one-time thing and reducing her rate to 20ml/hr for a few days (which meant she only got one can overnight initially, then we were able to get up to two) and then very slowly increasing resolved that problem. eta>
A rate even slower than that may well be needed for a baby. <br>
<br>Do you do any bolus feeds during the day or only at night? A very small bolus after daytime feeds may help as well... any little bit will add up.
<br>
<br>It can be frustrating when things get off to a slow start, but 3 weeks is still VERY early, and starting slow and being patient will in all likelihood pay off. Any amount he gets in the beginning is more than he was getting before- hang in there and hopefully things will be going smoother very soon!!
<br><br>eta> I see Heather and I were thinking very much alike!! <br><br>eta for a bit more> I also took note of your sig line~ your child is just a little one still. He won't be able to take enormous amounts all at once~ his tummy is still very small. I am also thinking that Peptamen is likely designed for kids older than your son. There are similar formulas (predigested) for infants you can look into though.<br>
<br>
<br>Emily uses Peptamen Jr 1.5 (375cal/can) and it is high in MCT fat and has predigested protein- both of which make it particularly easy for those with CF to digest. She gets enzymes at the beginning and halfway through. When she had an issue with vomiting at the hospital they diluted with pedialyte but that was a one-time thing and reducing her rate to 20ml/hr for a few days (which meant she only got one can overnight initially, then we were able to get up to two) and then very slowly increasing resolved that problem. eta>
A rate even slower than that may well be needed for a baby. <br>
<br>Do you do any bolus feeds during the day or only at night? A very small bolus after daytime feeds may help as well... any little bit will add up.
<br>
<br>It can be frustrating when things get off to a slow start, but 3 weeks is still VERY early, and starting slow and being patient will in all likelihood pay off. Any amount he gets in the beginning is more than he was getting before- hang in there and hopefully things will be going smoother very soon!!
<br><br>eta> I see Heather and I were thinking very much alike!! <br><br>eta for a bit more> I also took note of your sig line~ your child is just a little one still. He won't be able to take enormous amounts all at once~ his tummy is still very small. I am also thinking that Peptamen is likely designed for kids older than your son. There are similar formulas (predigested) for infants you can look into though.<br>
Have you tried different types of supplements? Sometimes ones that are predigested will be better tolerated than ones designed to be taken orally. I know with Emily we also started with a VERY slow rate and gradually increased every 7-14 days (depending on how things were going)- therefore it was a couple months before she was gaining a significant amount of weight, but it was well worth it, because once she started gaining she really took off. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br>
<br>Emily uses Peptamen Jr 1.5 (375cal/can) and it is high in MCT fat and has predigested protein- both of which make it particularly easy for those with CF to digest. She gets enzymes at the beginning and halfway through. When she had an issue with vomiting at the hospital they diluted with pedialyte but that was a one-time thing and reducing her rate to 20ml/hr for a few days (which meant she only got one can overnight initially, then we were able to get up to two) and then very slowly increasing resolved that problem. eta>
A rate even slower than that may well be needed for a baby. <br>
<br>Do you do any bolus feeds during the day or only at night? A very small bolus after daytime feeds may help as well... any little bit will add up.
<br>
<br>It can be frustrating when things get off to a slow start, but 3 weeks is still VERY early, and starting slow and being patient will in all likelihood pay off. Any amount he gets in the beginning is more than he was getting before- hang in there and hopefully things will be going smoother very soon!!
<br><br>eta> I see Heather and I were thinking very much alike!! <br><br>eta for a bit more> I also took note of your sig line~ your child is just a little one still. He won't be able to take enormous amounts all at once~ his tummy is still very small. I am also thinking that Peptamen is likely designed for kids older than your son. There are similar formulas (predigested) for infants you can look into though.<br>
<br>
<br>Emily uses Peptamen Jr 1.5 (375cal/can) and it is high in MCT fat and has predigested protein- both of which make it particularly easy for those with CF to digest. She gets enzymes at the beginning and halfway through. When she had an issue with vomiting at the hospital they diluted with pedialyte but that was a one-time thing and reducing her rate to 20ml/hr for a few days (which meant she only got one can overnight initially, then we were able to get up to two) and then very slowly increasing resolved that problem. eta>
A rate even slower than that may well be needed for a baby. <br>
<br>Do you do any bolus feeds during the day or only at night? A very small bolus after daytime feeds may help as well... any little bit will add up.
<br>
<br>It can be frustrating when things get off to a slow start, but 3 weeks is still VERY early, and starting slow and being patient will in all likelihood pay off. Any amount he gets in the beginning is more than he was getting before- hang in there and hopefully things will be going smoother very soon!!
<br><br>eta> I see Heather and I were thinking very much alike!! <br><br>eta for a bit more> I also took note of your sig line~ your child is just a little one still. He won't be able to take enormous amounts all at once~ his tummy is still very small. I am also thinking that Peptamen is likely designed for kids older than your son. There are similar formulas (predigested) for infants you can look into though.<br>
Have you tried different types of supplements? Sometimes ones that are predigested will be better tolerated than ones designed to be taken orally. I know with Emily we also started with a VERY slow rate and gradually increased every 7-14 days (depending on how things were going)- therefore it was a couple months before she was gaining a significant amount of weight, but it was well worth it, because once she started gaining she really took off. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br>
<br>Emily uses Peptamen Jr 1.5 (375cal/can) and it is high in MCT fat and has predigested protein- both of which make it particularly easy for those with CF to digest. She gets enzymes at the beginning and halfway through. When she had an issue with vomiting at the hospital they diluted with pedialyte but that was a one-time thing and reducing her rate to 20ml/hr for a few days (which meant she only got one can overnight initially, then we were able to get up to two) and then very slowly increasing resolved that problem. eta>
A rate even slower than that may well be needed for a baby. <br>
<br>Do you do any bolus feeds during the day or only at night? A very small bolus after daytime feeds may help as well... any little bit will add up.
<br>
<br>It can be frustrating when things get off to a slow start, but 3 weeks is still VERY early, and starting slow and being patient will in all likelihood pay off. Any amount he gets in the beginning is more than he was getting before- hang in there and hopefully things will be going smoother very soon!!
<br><br>eta> I see Heather and I were thinking very much alike!! <br><br>eta for a bit more> I also took note of your sig line~ your child is just a little one still. He won't be able to take enormous amounts all at once~ his tummy is still very small. I am also thinking that Peptamen is likely designed for kids older than your son. There are similar formulas (predigested) for infants you can look into though.<br>
<br>
<br>Emily uses Peptamen Jr 1.5 (375cal/can) and it is high in MCT fat and has predigested protein- both of which make it particularly easy for those with CF to digest. She gets enzymes at the beginning and halfway through. When she had an issue with vomiting at the hospital they diluted with pedialyte but that was a one-time thing and reducing her rate to 20ml/hr for a few days (which meant she only got one can overnight initially, then we were able to get up to two) and then very slowly increasing resolved that problem. eta>
A rate even slower than that may well be needed for a baby. <br>
<br>Do you do any bolus feeds during the day or only at night? A very small bolus after daytime feeds may help as well... any little bit will add up.
<br>
<br>It can be frustrating when things get off to a slow start, but 3 weeks is still VERY early, and starting slow and being patient will in all likelihood pay off. Any amount he gets in the beginning is more than he was getting before- hang in there and hopefully things will be going smoother very soon!!
<br><br>eta> I see Heather and I were thinking very much alike!! <br><br>eta for a bit more> I also took note of your sig line~ your child is just a little one still. He won't be able to take enormous amounts all at once~ his tummy is still very small. I am also thinking that Peptamen is likely designed for kids older than your son. There are similar formulas (predigested) for infants you can look into though.<br>
WOW- 55ml/hr after only 3 weeks? I am impressed he was able to handle that! Emily at age 9 could not. I am thinking a rate higher than he was initially able to tolerate, more than the type/calorie of formula you were using may have been responsible for the difficulties he was having. (When it was diluted he may have been able to absorb it faster, helping to compensate for the faster rate.) Hopefully it will be easier from now on. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
WOW- 55ml/hr after only 3 weeks? I am impressed he was able to handle that! Emily at age 9 could not. I am thinking a rate higher than he was initially able to tolerate, more than the type/calorie of formula you were using may have been responsible for the difficulties he was having. (When it was diluted he may have been able to absorb it faster, helping to compensate for the faster rate.) Hopefully it will be easier from now on. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
WOW- 55ml/hr after only 3 weeks? I am impressed he was able to handle that! Emily at age 9 could not. I am thinking a rate higher than he was initially able to tolerate, more than the type/calorie of formula you were using may have been responsible for the difficulties he was having. (When it was diluted he may have been able to absorb it faster, helping to compensate for the faster rate.) Hopefully it will be easier from now on. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">