Babies not gaining enough weight :(

efhoping2010

I was shocked to find out at the twinlets four month check up last week that they had dropped off their weight chart.  The pediatrician says they should each weigh at least two more pounds by now, they are around 11 (girl) and 12 (boy) pounds and turn five months today. 

 I EBF and have been so proud that they have not needed formula.  And now I am being told I have to supplement after each nursing session and they will have their weight checked again in 7-10 days.  I am so sad this is happening, I feel like a failure.  I feed them all of the time on demand, I even mastered tandem nursing. 

My son will take the supplement, in fact he seems to prefer it and does not want to nurse so much now  but my daughter will not take formula at all, I have tried many different kinds enfamil, similac, good start..regular and soy, she will not even drink it, she just spits it out even if it makes it into her mouth.

My twinlets are 100% healthy otherwise, thankfully, both rolling both ways and meeting even 6 month milestones which is great for preemies.  And neither are anemic which often causes low weight gain.

I am so afraid of what will happen if they do not gain enough by their net appointment in a week, will they need feeding tubes?  My son had one when he was in speial care after birth and I do not want to go through that again.  Has this happened to anyone, I feel shattered over it so does DH.   

 I also tripped and broke my foot last Monday, so not the best week, very difficult to care for twins in a walking cast

Thanks for listening, I look forward to your thoughts. 

 

leviandlandensmom

Typically babies should double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by one year. If yours were preemies then they have probably already double their birth weight or are pretty darn close. You pedi shouldn't be going off the standard growth chart or should be taking into account their adjusted age, not their actual age. Do you know if she's basing it off their adjusted age?

Shelley-Bean

I'm so sorry!  I'm just wondering if they are already 4 months old, why doesn't your pedi put them on cereal?  You can mix in your breastmilk and give it to your son if he doesn't seem to want to BF as much anymore, and it may be a good alternative for your daughter who doesn't seem to like formula.

I don't think they will put them on feeding tubes, because they can physically eat, they just need more calories. 

I'm sorry you broke your foot on top of all this.  What a crappy week!!

seattlestef

My girls were 11 and 12 pounds at their 4 month check up also. We had to supplement from the beginning so that wasn't an issue, but their weight was never an alarming concern. What were your babies' birth weights? Did they drop off of their own growth chart or off of the "average"? If they have always been small and are gaining normally then that doesn't seem as alarming to me.

At 16 months my girls are still small, but healthy, hitting all milestones, happy and gaining weight, which in my mind is most important. I would check back with your doctor to discuss.

Also, great job breastfeeding for 4 months. Like I mentioned, I supplemented from the beginning due to supply issues and just want you to know that you are not a failure. I'm sure many MoMs will tell you they would have given their right arm to be able to produce enough to BF for 4 months. You are doing great!!

efhoping2010

She was 4lbs10oz at birth

He was 5lbs 10oz at birth

They have dropped off their own growth charts

 Thank you for your kind words

sunnybrook.

So they were on the growth chart and then fell off? Their weight aside, do you think they're getting enough to eat?

My girls were 5lb8oz and 6lb1oz at birth. At 7 months they were 13lb3oz and 13lb10oz. They lost a lot of weight at birth while waiting for my milk to come in and have been slow weight gainers ever since. Thankfully both their old doc and their new one recognize that they may be small for their age but they are growing at their own pace. They are typically 1% and 3% for weight. I EBF since they came home from the hospital. I also have wondered if they would gain more if FF, but then reminded myself that they are satisfied after eating and are happy babies. If they weren't getting enough, I would know. The growth charts are based on full term, formula fed singletons...NOT premature BF twins. Have you considered asking for another opinion. Their weights are better than my DDs and my DDs were nearly full term and were larger at birth. It sounds like you're doing a great job! Seriously, consider asking another pedi.

leviandlandensmom

Considering their birth weights, I think their currents weights are great and I wouldn't worry about it! You are doing a great job.

kelliwill

leviandlandensmom:

Considering their birth weights, I think their currents weights are great and I wouldn't worry about it! You are doing a great job.

This.  My girls were 4 and 5 lbs at birth and are still not that big.  My sister has a 4 months old (single baby) who weighs more than mine do.  They are just small.  As long as you think they are eating enough I wouldn't worry.  I would try cereal before anything else, JIMO though 

efhoping2010

Thank you very much for you kind thoughts everyone, it really means a lot to have your support. I will ask their pediatrician again about their prematurity and mention that they seem happy and satiated when we go back on October 6, I will update then.