Question about bottle feedings

[Libby]

My daughter Piper is 15 weeks. I EBF and she nursed only until I went back to work at 12 weeks. Here is my bottle dilemma:

How long is too long for a feed? DD had been using comotomo bottles like a champ! No problem switching between bottle and breast. We use paced bottle feeding and it took her about 15- 20 min to finish 3oz. Her GERD is out of control though on the days she gets bottles while I work and she is now back on medication and dr is sending her to GI specialist if we don't improve in two weeks - possible scope.
I switched to glass Dr Brown's bottles to hopefully help and bought the preemie nipples as to not lead her to prefer the bottle. I have had numerous friends say once they used dr Browns baby wouldn't take the breast. I feel like after two days dr brown her latch is more shallow, but I'm able to correct her. Problem is it takes her 40 MINUTES to finish 3oz with a preemie nipple. She gums at it, plays and leaves sometimes 1/2 oz in the bottle. Her jaw trembles when sucking and I think she gives up eventually. I need her to take bottles so she doesn't cluster feed all night which makes the GERD worse.
Long story short, is that too long? I don't want her working too hard and not getting enough, but I'm terrified to switch to stage 1 which seems much faster than the comotomo.
She is drooling less and having less symptoms with the bottle, but also isn't eating as many oz so it could be that.
Anyone have any advice?

[brandiewine11]

40 minutes does sound like a long time. Perhaps try some other bottles? We've had good success with both Avent natural and Mam. My son also has reflux and is not bothered by either of those.

Just out of curiosity, what are you seeing that is making you think her reflux is worse with the bottle? (Not meant to be snarky or anything at all...really just want to know what you are seeing.) My son was often a bit fussier in the evenings after daycare at first, but he just wanted mama...

[Libby]

brandiewine11 I didn't take it as snarky! Her voice gets so raspy she can hardly cry, her drool soaks multiple outfits, wet hiccups and she does blood curdling screams when in the car seat. Then she comfort nurses every 45 min-1 hr those nights all night long (I work 3 12 to shifts a week) and arches her back. she also gets a runny nose and a cough. On days I nurse she soaks one outfit, usually no crying even in car seat, doesn't sound near as raspy but is a little and doesn't have the respiratory symptoms. Still gets hiccups though and wet burps. She gives me a about a 3 hr stretch on nursing nights. She has GERD which is little more complex than infant reflux and they think it may be structural with her. She has odds against her poor thing she was growth restricted and my brother had such bad GERD he required surgery. I appreciate your response! We tried tommy tippee, playtex drop ins and avent and she refused those
So sweet your little one misses his mama!

[brandiewine11]

Poor baby :-( sorry she's having such a rough time. Hopefully you can find something that works. I'd say maybe get one of a few brands and see if anything helps her.

[Libby]

brandiewine11 thank you! hope your little guy grows out of his reflux soon! I appreciate your kind responses.

[flcl]

I'm sorry LO hasn't been feeling great. 40 mins does seem like a long time to be on the bottle and that she may be getting a little frustrated. Have you tried feeding her in different positions? LO used the comotomo bottle too (after experimenting with a TON of different ones) and we've always found that having him a bit more upright worked better than cradling him in a flatter position. I hope you find something that works for LO soon... It's so hard to see our little babies uncomfortable.

[Libby]

flcl the bottles are wonderful aren't they? So easy to clean! I told my mom to hold her upright and she watched the YouTube videos on paced feeding, but I don't really know what she does either. It's weird because you would take her comotomo away to burp and she would flip out! The dr Browns she doesn't care when you remove it to burp. I agree she may be frustrated or maybe just doesn't like them because she doesn't associate them with a boob haha
Did the built in vent system seem to work for you?

[flcl]

Hi Libby, we really do like the comotomos. LO went through a phase where he boycotted all bottles and we tried almost every single bottle out there. The vent system worked for us but LO didn't have a big of a tummy issue as your DD. Have an earnest conversation with your mom on how the feeding is actually going and keep trying (whether it's different positions, different bottles, etc....) Hope you find something that works soon and that LO feel better!! Btw, love your DD's name, that was our girl name option