Anyone else's LO having problems gaining weight?

ethanwmomma

DS was born at 8lbs 4 oz and is now 17 days old and is only 7lbs 14oz. We seen my doctor when he was a week old and he said his weight was dropping to low because it was at 7lbs 9oz. He was on Enfamil A+, but was spitting up alot after every bottle and was constipated so the doctor advised me to switch him to Enfamil with lower iron which has been good so far. I've followed what the doctors said to wake and feed him every 3.5-4 hours but after a trip to emerg last night they said his weight still isn't high enough and we now have to see a Pediatrician sometime next week. Anyone else's LO have a similar problem with their weight gain?

thatgirl2478

Similar - but DD regained after a week of breastfeeding every 2 hrs and supplementing w/ Enfamil Newborn formula.  Didn't have any problems with constipation or spitting up though.  We'll see if she's continued to gain weight correctly in 2 wks.

Sonadora

We had this problem. It took LO 24 days to surpass her birthweight.

I had to wake her and feed her every 2 hours throughout the night until she regained. She was/is EBF. We also had to offer her another oz of pumped milk 3-4 times a day during this period. I was one tired momma....

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is.

AmandaMiguel

I just gave birth to my daughter 8 days ago. She was born weighing 8 lbs 4 oz, and weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz when we took her to the doctor today. I've been advised to keep feeding her every 2 hours. She's on a combo of breast milk and Gerber Good Start formula.

At first, she wouldn't wake up to eat. Like her parents, she is stubborn and loves to nap. Now, she's interested in eating (also like her parents), so I hope we see a turnaround with her weight soon.

Good luck to you and your LO! I haven't experienced this before, so don't have advice, but my best wishes are with you!

misscrystal1

We had the same problem with DD. She absolutely refused to eat. It was nearly impossible to wake her and actually keep her awake. Our pedi recommended we breastfeed her 12 minutes each side and then supplement her 2 oz. of formula. She surpassed her birth weight at two weeks after dropping over 10% below it. I think she's finally gained an appetite, so we don't struggle so much with keeping her awake at feedings. I never realized how common this problem actually is, but it's such a relief to find out that other mothers are going through the same thing. Keep up the good work ladies!

NewFamily09

3 1/2 to 4 hours doesn't seem often enough, or is that just at night?  During the day, I would be feeding him more like every 2 to 2 1/2 hours, but maybe feed him a little bit less in each bottle so he doesn't spit up so much. 

ethanwmomma

NewFamily09:

3 1/2 to 4 hours doesn't seem often enough, or is that just at night?  During the day, I would be feeding him more like every 2 to 2 1/2 hours, but maybe feed him a little bit less in each bottle so he doesn't spit up so much. 

During the day we will do every 3 hours, but we were doing it every 2 hours he just wasn't eating as well, but now that we do it every 3 hours he'll take 3-3.5 oz.  He hasn't had to much of a problem with spitting up since we switched his formula to Lower Iron, he might spit up once a day or every other day.

PTKate05

How are/did you eliminate the formula supplementation?  We are still struggling with this because nursing is a struggle because he won't stay awake and is too stubborn to nurse without the nipple shield.  He is wide awake for the bottle, so frustrating!

ethanwmomma

PTKate05:

How are/did you eliminate the formula supplementation?  We are still struggling with this because nursing is a struggle because he won't stay awake and is too stubborn to nurse without the nipple shield.  He is wide awake for the bottle, so frustrating!

We only FF now, I was trying to BF but he wouldn't latch on the left side, and he would latch on the right side but would stop sucking after a few minutes.  We went to the BF Clinic several times, and after talking to nurses there and my doctor we decided to quit BF and EFF, they both said it was important to get his weight back up.

ethanwmomma

PTKate05:

How are/did you eliminate the formula supplementation?  We are still struggling with this because nursing is a struggle because he won't stay awake and is too stubborn to nurse without the nipple shield.  He is wide awake for the bottle, so frustrating!

We only FF now, I was trying to BF but he wouldn't latch on the left side, and he would latch on the right side but would stop sucking after a few minutes.  We went to the BF Clinic several times, and after talking to nurses there and my doctor we decided to quit BF and EFF, they both said it was important to get his weight back up.

funchicken

PTKate05:

How are/did you eliminate the formula supplementation?  We are still struggling with this because nursing is a struggle because he won't stay awake and is too stubborn to nurse without the nipple shield.  He is wide awake for the bottle, so frustrating!

My baby is only six days old, but my pedi okayed dropping the supplement once her bilirubin levels were normal and her weight stopped dropping, so we're in the process of doing that now.  Honestly, I thought they were making us supplement too much.  My LC gave me a handout on controlled feeding with a bottle that helped us make sure she wasn't guzzling the formula and taking too much.  She never drank as much as the pedi told us to give her.  I started BFing more often.  My LC is awesome.  We're doing weight checks and weighed feedings next week to make sure DD is getting enough.

I'd worry about one thing at a time.  I know the shield is a PITA, but if he'll nurse with it then use it.  Are you seeing an LC?  Are you pumping?  You need to make up for the supplements by increasing your supply.  Then you can gradually reduce the supplements and offer the breast more often.  I know how hard it can be--hang in there!