twins losing weight again

j.h.mommy

The twins had an appointment today. Their last appt was before my nursing vacation and they were predominantly formula fed. Well, since then I've worked so hard on upping my supply and they are now exclusively breast fed. In the last four weeks, A has lost an ounce and L has gained an ounce.I never imagined that at nearly 6 months my boys would be only 11lbs and 13lb4oz.

I was told that they should gain an ounce a day and that this is not adequate. Once again our formula pushy doctor told me to give up bf-ing all together and put them on full formula to get them to gain. The way I see it though is that they are still growing lengthwise and in head circumference and they are hitting their milestones ahead of their adjusted age. They still have lots of wet and poopy diapers, lots of slobber and tears. Call me crazy, but I don't see the low weight being a huge deal when everything else is okay.

I'm planning to switch to a more personable and bf advocating pediatrician, but don't even know where to start. I'm really depressed about it all. I really feel like I am doing what is best for them and feeding them the best possible food by nursing them. It is such a huge commitment for us and I'm working so hard to do it and being told that I'm silly and that I should just give it up is like a slap in the face. 

jennterrell

I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this. I struggled with DS's size (he's always been 5th-10th percentile, and people always comment on how small he is...) but I always had support from our pediatricians. They emphasize that if the child is following a curve like on this chart, then everything is fine. It doesn't matter so much where their curve is, whether it be at the bottom or top of the range, as long as they are showing some gains. It looks like your boys are just below the lowest curve for weight, but if you look at their weights from birth and previous appt's, are they tracing a similar pattern?

 i would definitely try another pediatrician, and even if you don't find support there, there is no way that at least p/t BFing can't be good for them and you.

GL and know that we all think you are an awesome mommy!

babyluv617

aww. ((hugs))

def look for someone else. call the LLL and go to a meeting. maybe someone there can offer recs. 

you've worked too hard to throw it away bc of one lousy pedi. 

nsees

babyluv617:

aww. ((hugs))

def look for someone else. call the LLL and go to a meeting. maybe someone there can offer recs. 

you've worked too hard to throw it away bc of one lousy pedi. 

exactly this!

((hugs))

Alibean

Def find another pedi who is more supportive of your efforts.  I admire you for doing so well bfing twins!  A lot of docs like formula b/c they can measure exactly what is going in and they are more comfortable with that.  It's ridiculous.

Nic&Susie

I think that an ounce a day is a lot for boys that age to be gaining.  In the beginning when they are doing nothing but sleep, eat, and poop then yes, but not as they get older and are awake more, learning to move and play. 

I really think that you should look into a new pediatrician.   As long as they are not hungry or drastically loosing weight than BF is by far the better choice, IMO.  It cannot hurt to call around and ask if peds are accepting new patients and what their recommendations are on BF. 

(((Hugs)))

Lotte134

jennterrell:

They emphasize that if the child is following a curve like on this chart, then everything is fine. It doesn't matter so much where their curve is, whether it be at the bottom or top of the range, as long as they are showing some gains. It looks like your boys are just below the lowest curve for weight, but if you look at their weights from birth and previous appt's, are they tracing a similar pattern?

 i would definitely try another pediatrician, and even if you don't find support there, there is no way that at least p/t BFing can't be good for them and you.

GL and know that we all think you are an awesome mommy!

All of this.

Fun2Dream

DD was less than 14 pounds at her 6 month visit.  She was EBF at the time, and she's not a twin.  Sorry your doc is being pushy.  I think EBF babies gain more slowly than FF babies do, but I can't be sure.  As long as they're healthy and you feel comfortable with it, I'd keep EBF.

megs_glo

I am not a regular of this board, but did your doc tell you about breast milk fortifiers which help increase the calories in your breast milk?  I know you would like to not have to do anything but maybe you could feed them this like twice a day, and it is still your breast milk.  Just a thought.  GL!

smurfetteinred

Nic&Susie:

I think that an ounce a day is a lot for boys that age to be gaining.  In the beginning when they are doing nothing but sleep, eat, and poop then yes, but not as they get older and are awake more, learning to move and play. 

This. There is no way you are going to get them to make gains like that at their age unless you start feeding them melted butter. Honestly, I would have serious doubts that it would even be healthy (that rate of gain not the melted butter!). Ariel is almost the same age as your boys and she gained 8 oz in the last month total. 8 oz.

Try not to stress about how small they are. Everyone has to fall somewhere on the chart. There will always be a bottom.  My cousin had twins that were delivered extremely early due to complications. Her daughter has always been the teeny tiniest peanut but she's happy and healthy and there is absolutely nothing abnormal about her.

I would ditto the suggestion to call and talk to an LLL leader or go to a meeting and see who they recommend. They should definitely have some suggestions for you.

And for shame if he actually told you that you were being silly. 

crackerjackprinter

Wow.  I know how frustrating it is.  But I tend to agree with you.  An ounce a day is huge!  They don't even expect Declan to gain that much.  Maybe 1/2-1 oz, but when he was gaining only 1/2 oz my pedi just suggested adding a feeding in during the day.  No biggie though.  Of course then he only gained 6 oz in 3 weeks at the next visit, but still.

Ditto the pp about following a curve.  Since your boys were on primarily formula for a while I'd see where they go from birth to now, ignoring everything else.  Kellymom can figure the average for you if you know their ages at the time. 

Definitely see the new pedi ASAP, I would maybe pump more after feedings as possible but I don't know if I'd do anything else since they have wet and poopy diapers.  Is there an LC you can call?  ((hugs))  I hope you can get some more BF friendly advice soon!

cindy453

Could you add in an at the breast supplementation device? I hope you find a pedi who is more supportive of BFing, but I don't think babies should be *losing* weight at 6 months- that would concern me, too.

I'm a BFAR mom, and BFing isn't all or nothing... it doesn't have to be 100% EBF or 100% FF. It's completely okay to feed any mixture. Or, even a baby who gets 100% nutrition through formula can be BF if they use a SNS.

I would contact a good LC and see if you can perhaps take something to aid your supply or maybe some other tips. Adding in solids might help a great deal, too.