Weaning-ish question

Kinipela7

Hello!

Julia had her 6 month appointment not too long ago and doctor wasn't happy with her growth from 4-6 months.  She didn't gain any weight and she didn't even grow an inch.  I breastfeed her and was feeding her 5-6x/day and she always seemed happy and never cried for food.  She has been sleeping through the night since 2.5 months so I never thought she wasn't getting enough.  Anyway, he wanted me to feed her ALL THE THINGS and see her back in month for a weight check.  After this appointment, I went to see lactation.  They watched me feed her and they weighed her after I fed her and she only got 2 oz  Apparantly she has a lip/tongue tie that had probably made my milk production slow down over these months.  We are supplementing with formula now but I still breastfeed her 3x/day (as a bonus-never count it as an actual feeding).  I don't feel uncomfortable at all unless it's the morning so my question is:  could I breastfeed her once a day for a couple of months or will the little milk I do have dry up if she only gets fed once a day?

Thank youuuuuuuuuuu

nunzchucks

@kinipela7 I am not sure, but this might be perfect to XP on Breastfeeding. https://forums.thebump.com/categories/breastfeeding

lest12

I'm sorry.  As someone who's doctor has had some doubts about my LO's weight gain, been sent for weighted feeds, etc., that must have been hard to hear. 

 

I've definitely heard of women being able to keep one nursing session, in the AM or before bedtime, and not have problems with the supply dropping.  I guess I'd just worry that it would still continue to dwindle because of the latching issue. 

I wasn't sure but based on the post, it kind of sounds like you would like to keep nursing for that one feeding a day, right?

Kinipela7

@lest12 - I have trouble with words sometimes! Ha!  Yes, I would like to nurse her once or twice a day, but if it's not going to make a difference, I will just drop it all together!

I suspected her being small at her 4 month appt - and mentioned it to the doc, but he was like don't compare her to other babies - she looks fine!  I wish I had followed my gut and went to see lactation then!! DAMNIT on myself!  

lest12

@kinipela7 - Your words are fine!  It's me.  I'm so tired today that I can hardly speak, nevermind read

 

I understand.  The feeding thing can be so hard.  DS would be OK,  then drop in percentile, then go back up, then back down.  The Dr. is always pushing me to go to formula but I don't think I have a supply problem.  Now that I'm back at work and pumping, I have an excess of BM each day.  I'm more worried that LO just doesn't want to eat.  He eats so little during the day, but he never cries or shows other hunger signs and if DH gives him more, he spits up a lot, etc. 

Anyway, I don't mean to take over.  I'm just commiserating about the whole thing.  And I have no idea what I'm doing.

I say if you want to keep a few sessions because you enjoy it, then go for it.  If it works out for a while, great!  If your supply drops, then at least the weaning will happen naturally.  I think that is what I would try!  Good luck   I hope the formula helps and that LO catches right up

clwheel

Can they fix the tie? If they do and you offer feeding more you might be able to get your supply back up? Just a thought - sounds like you do enjoy it so it might be worth exploring.

Kinipela7

@lest12 - Sorry you are having troubles- its so frustrating!  I always thought if babies were hungry they would let you know!  After I saw lactation I started offering formula right after feedings and she always drinks a few oz!  She must have been so hungry for 2 months!  Ugh!

@clwheel- I will probably look into it, but it probably couldn't get done quickly enough since I was planning to wean by the 12 month mark anyway!  She said it was a really mild one too.  Thanks for the advice!

irenewslee

A tongue tie can be a quick fix right?

With breastfeeding only once or twice a day... I have a friend who did that and had no problem with her supply but it probably depends on the person. However, my LO hates my boobs since we sent her to daycare where she only gets the bottle. That's probably another issue.

eryale

@Kinipela7‌ different situation here, BUT, in reading your post and comments I just want to offer my support and my experience. My LO and I started off this way--questionable supply but she wasn't showing overt signs of hunger... I didn't 'go with my gut' for a few weeks and when I finally did (against everyone's reassurance that she was fine), I was right! No gain, even a small loss btwn appointments. Anyway, the reason I say this is to follow it with: we do the best we can and you are doing a great job! Not 'DAMNIT on yourself"! She's now on the right track because of YOU.
PS-- Since my LO's weight drop, I now nurse and supplement (2/3 formula, 1/3 BM is my guesstimate). Some days I only get the am and pm feeds in, many days I squeeze in 3-4 nursing sessions and my supply is still low but has seemed to adjust to what LO wants/needs. I figure upon the amount of ounces she needs in a day, and guess she gets 1-3 oz per nursing session (depending on the time of day/length of session, etc) and that's how I determine how much formula to give her.
Hoping sharing this helps you if even a little bit

Kinipela7

@eryale - It helps so much!  Thank you very much!  

RedMar

I have been pumping only in the morning and my supply is slowly dwindling down. I'm doing it to keep my period away as I have a history of endometriosis.

Good luck to you and I hope your LO has a huge growth spurt these next couple weeks!!