View Full Version : baby not gaining enough weight
I wonder if anyone else has had the same problem as me. I have a 2 and half week old baby who is not gaining much weight(and hasn't according to the midwife gained anything in the last few days). It is becoming a concern for me and I have had to resort to topping up his drink with either expressed breast milk or formula. I have found it so tiring with a 2 week old getting my sleep that I often sleep instead of expressing. I didn't want to formula feed but am worried about him getting sick and fading away. He hasn't regained his birth weight.
He has no problems latching on and appears to drink but after test feeds we are finding he is not taking in much milk. He couldn't drink from a cup as well so we have had to resort to using a bottle to get the top ups down him. I dont think supply is a problem as I am leaking milk when I wake up in the morning. It just seems that it is a cycle of him getting tired, not drinking enough or getting enough and then not gaining the weight. I did have a c-section so there was a supply problem.
Just wondered if anyone else was worried about their baby's weight at this stage of their growth.
Foxymoron
26-01-2006, 13:55
Book into see an LC. She can help you with supply issues and show you how to tell if baby is scoffing down lots of booby or just having a nice snoozey rest.
Your supply will take up to six weeks to establish and settle to a 'pattern'. You can always put the top up feeds through a supply line so the baby is still at the breast, this will stimulate your supply as well as getting extra food into baby. My first child didn't regain her birth weight for 3 weeks, and my son took 4 weeks. They were slow compared to the 'charts' but were having lot's of nice wet nappies, plenty of poo, and were otherwise happy.
It's hard not to get distressed, especially with your first baby... It's very early days though and if you ask now, I'm sure the hospital could arrange for day stay with the Lactation unit.
Best of luck and congrats on your new bub!
Hi 1stbaby
I know it is distressing when yor baby isn't gaining weight according to the "standards". I agree with Keara, see a lactation consultant. They are worth their weight in gold.
They will watch baby feed and give you different tips on how to keep him awake and keep his feeding efficient. My DD1 also had weight gain issues and the LC was able to show me tricks to keep her gains acceptable. She never advised topping up with formula or EBM, just showed me different ways to feed her (which is best for maintaining your supply anyway).
Good luck, find a LC you can trust and respect - she'll make it OK :)
thanks guys. I have seen two L.Cs. I am reluctant to see another as they all have conflicting advice, but I will if the latest doesn't work. I dont really want to give formula (but I have and if it works I will use it to top up his feeds) and I hate pumping...it seems ridiculous to take it out of the breast and give it to him in a bottle. the latest LC is really nice and said to give the formula because the priority is his health. I am still breast feeding him for half an hour then I give him EBM or formula. Then I feed him again just to get him to sleep or give him another chance on the breast.
By the way what do you mean by ' topping up feeds through a supply line???'
thanks
Sally
If you are worried call your local MACH clinic and look at going into QEII - they will make sure that you get consistent advice, that you and baby are properly supported and you end up doing what YOU want to do re feeding. I have had several friends spend time in there and they all rave about how wonderful the experience was.
My DD2 wasn't gaining weight and I was expressing and feeding and in tears by the two week mark - then we saw the LC, sorted everything and she grew steadily. So you need to find the one that will help you do what you need to do to get through. Use the child health nurse service - my experience in Cnberra was only positive with them - and see if you can get yourself to QEII to get it sorted so you can relax and enjoy your baby.
Hi 1stbaby
A supply line is a fine plastic tube that you tape to your breast so that the end is close to your nipple so it will be in baby's mouth while they are feeding. It has a bag (I think?) of EBM or formula attached. As baby feeds, they draw EBM through the tube, so you are "breastfeeding" but there's more milk being supplied via the supply line.
I've not used one, but I guess you might get them from the ABA or an LC, but I think you'd need advice on exactly how to use it.
Cheers
By the way what do you mean by ' topping up feeds through a supply line???'
Sally, you attach a tube to your nipple and the EBM or formula comes through the tube so basically the baby sucks at your nipple but gets fed through the tube, if that makes sense.
It means they are still sucking at your nipple, hence not creating nipple confusion by going from breast to bottle and the sucking action stimulates supply so you kind of kill two birds with one stone. I hope that made sense... :rolleyes:
Goosie22
26-01-2006, 20:14
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/specialtyfdg.html
This link is about the SNS (supply line) it down the bottom of the page. It saves a lot of time and also as cosmic said saves you from the potential problems of nipple confusion. You can order it through ABA or I have bought them at the chemist they cost around $30 dollars. On a personal note my babies didn't reach their birth weight either for about a month and they feed all the time. Hope you find an answer
G:)
My baby has attained his birth weight at 2 weeks and 5 days. he is now a bit over. I see that some of the people who replied experienced the same thing. Did the CHN worry about this? I had a new lady visit me today and she said there was nothing to worry about. I can't believe I nearly started my baby on formula. I also told her how my breasts were leaking when I woke up and she said I didn't have a supply problem. I can't believe my breasts were hurting from too much milk and I was told by a midwife that my baby was too tired to get milk from my breasts so I would have to introduce formula. We also have had to get a urine sample to test for a UTI.
Chickadee
27-01-2006, 09:41
I'm so glad you've finally gotten good advice. Introducing formula, while providing immediate nutrition to bub, would have had a high risk of destroying your breast feeding relationship. I understand completely about expressing and being tired, it's a very hard thing to keep up so if you can go fully bf that is great.
If the lactation consultants have thoroughly checked bub's attachment and ruled out any problems then just keep doing what you are doing. Trust your body to provide for your bub, and for bub to get enough. You may find you are feeding bub every two hours sometimes and that's normal.
The ABA is a great resource and support network that you may want to check out.
My baby has attained his birth weight at 2 weeks and 5 days. he is now a bit over. I see that some of the people who replied experienced the same thing. Did the CHN worry about this? I had a new lady visit me today and she said there was nothing to worry about. I can't believe I nearly started my baby on formula. I also told her how my breasts were leaking when I woke up and she said I didn't have a supply problem. I can't believe my breasts were hurting from too much milk and I was told by a midwife that my baby was too tired to get milk from my breasts so I would have to introduce formula. We also have had to get a urine sample to test for a UTI.
Great to hear that things are looking up. Despite some of the negative expereicnes people on here have had with CHN's the ones I met in Canberra were fantastic and very supportive - and it sounds like you have met a sensible one too. HAve a think about joining the new parent's groups they run - they are also a great source of support and information - and new friends who are going through the same thing as you. Martha is quite right - trust in your baby and your body and you will both be fine!
Thanks for all the advice guys you gave me 2 weeks ago. I did end up giving him formula at night but he hasn't had it for 2 nights and he is putting on good weight. I took Blessed thistle and did some expressing and i think I've boosted my supply enough to feed him. He seems much more settled now.The formula seemed to give him wind and so I'm pleased that we were able to stop taking it. i did see another LC and she was really helpful and supportive....rang me at home to see how I was getting on.
Hiya 1stbaby
The secret is definately in finding the right LC, CHN, doc (whatever) that works for you.
I think that's one of the huge lightbulb moments I've had since having children. Everyone has different advice, even doctors :eek: . Who is right? who's to say? Maybe that's because there IS no right answer for everyone, just the right answer FOR YOU.
There is no reality only perception. OMGosh, I'm getting all esoteric on you, I'll go away and take my chill pill now :D
I'm just really happy that things are looking so much better for you both.
Cheers
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