Help! Slow weight gain and EPing for 3 days

TempeWick

Let's see if I can make this long story (relatively) short:

DS has been gaining weight very slowly and his pedi is concerned. He was 50%ile at 2 months, 25th at 4 months and 3rd at 6 months. His height is average and so is his head corcumference. He is hitting all his milestones thus far.

We currently nurse 6 times and day and when I went back to work for three weeks in June he took about 20 oz. while I was away and I was able to pump to keep up. I honestly don't think it's a supply issue. We went to a GI specialist yesterday who asked that I pump for the next three days and feed DS bottles so the nutritionist can track exactly how many ounces he's taking in at each feeding.

Even though they say this isn't usually a concern, DS spits up A TON. He's a "happy spitter" in that he's not in pain, but he averages about 4-6 times after every meal. I met with an LC who observed our session. We did a weighed feeding and he took in 3 ounces from one side. He then spit up about half of what he took in. I'm frustrated because the doctors don't seem to think this could be a cause for his slow gain. My pedi has recommended supplementing with 2 oz after each feeding. I asked if we could try it with my frozen stash first, which she said was fine. DS wouldn't take the bottles because he was full... until he spit up.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm hoping that once I submit the food log in three days they will see that he is eating enough ounces (I'm estimating it's about 30) and I am producing enough. Any advice? Any tips from EPers? Thanks for letting me vent!

Kered6799

No advice but will be curious to hear what they determine. We are in a similar issue with slow weight gain, happy spitter and average length. we were at the dr on monday for shots, etc. she dropped into the 25% for weight from 50% at 2 months. I always let her nurse for as long as she wants and have started this week feeding her in the middle of the night if she wakes just to get her the extra calories. I pump during the week (work FT) and nurse when home.

I think it sounds like you are producing enough but I by no means have anything to back that up with. I agree with you on the spitting up being related to the weight and don't understand why they dont think that is affecting it. Good Luck!

JDoe11111

I was an EPer for 6 months with a happy spitter (still at 7 months, boo!). We didn't have weight issues, but we fed on demand and pedi said if she pukes up a bunch and wants more, give her more.

It's hard when you are pumping and every ounce is liquid gold, and at first they do act like goldfish and try to overstretch their stomachs, but eventually it gets a little better.

We did not treat for reflux, as weight gain was normal and baby never seemed in distress. We just did a lot of laundry. Once she learned the boundaries of her stomach and would turn away when she was hungry it did get a little better, and now with solids it's  more colorful, but also lessening.