bad 1 month check up continued

lauranicole91

For those who didn't see my post yesterday-here's the low down: https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/65202495.aspx

I don't know what to think. I know a lot of you ladies told me to get a second opinion and or see the LC but I'm just not sure.

Ever since her appointment I have been giving her a lot more bottled breast milk than straight from the boob milk. I did this to be able to see what she is eating. Remember her Dr. said she should be drinking about 4oz at each feeding now and should not feed more than every 2 hours.

Well all last night and today she has still been wanting food every 1.5 hours. Rooting like crazy and crying non stop till she gets what she wants. Also I still can't get her to drink more than 1.5oz in the bottle. I'm not sure if she gets more from my breasts or not, but that's all she will take in a bottle.

I'm so frustrated and I can't figure out who to listen to, her Dr.? Google? You ladies? Or my LO? Because everyone is giving me different answers on what she wants/needs.

Why can't babies come with instruction manuals...that they follow? *sigh* 

eav2c

My pediatrician says as long as LO has enough dirty and wet diapers that we are doing well. I think I read that she was definitely meeting that requirement so I think she is getting what she needs... But with that said talking to an LC and getting a second opinion won't hurt. A lot of LC's make house calls too... So they might even be willing to come to you!! 

eav2c

Ohhh and there are free hotlines to talk to LC's too... If maybe you want to try that route first?

Mrs.Teddy

Sounds like a growth spurt to me, she's at the right age for one.

Feeding every 1.5 hrs is not uncommon during a growth spurt, its particularly important to try and let her nurse right from the boob during a spurt because she is telling your body to make more, to meet her increasing demands. She will get more from you and she will get more then the pump will.

I know its hard and all mothers question their supply and with your DR's concerns its even more so. I would still look for an LC and possibly a 2nd opinion. Feeding on demand is the best esp when your milk is still regulating, bottle feeding and trying to meet a requirement is difficult with a BF baby. She's having adequate diapers I would try and let her guide the way.

https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurts/

biochembelle

I'm a FTM, but I think listen to your LO and your own gut above all. If your LO is hungry, feed her.

My LO is eating about 2.5 ounces per feeding, every 3 hours or so, if that's any help.

kkfeb04

Honestly I think your doctor is on crack.  DS would drink 3 1/2 oz of BM at 8 months old every 2-3 hours.  He was eating from the boob every 1-2 hours as a newborn.  We give DD a bottle once per night (since it's easier to get her to take it at night to try to get her on the bottle since work is a calling too damn soon) and she never EVER takes more than 2 1/2 oz and then she's good for 5 hours.  She typically nurses every 3-3 1/2 hours and only feeds off one side.  When I do pump at that nighttime feeding I'm only getting 4 oz total and if she's only feeding off one side she's only getting about 2 oz.

Both my children are slow gainers even though they were huge at birth.  DS at one month old was 10 lbs 7 oz, 23.25" (he was 10 lbs, 22" at birth), DD at three weeks old was still 5 oz under her birthweight of 9 lbs 2 oz but she grew almost an entire inch since birth.  Pedi was not concerned with DD since DS gains slow.  DS barely doubled his birthweight at 12 months, dropped back to 19.5 lbs at 13 months and will not triple his birthweight before he's 3.  He went from being over the 97%tile at birth to dropping down to the 10%tile at one year old.  He's now back to the 25% and he's perfectly healthy according to our pedi.  I agree with the posters yesterday that it sounds like the pedi is pushing formula, I would personally find a new pedi.

To answer your question, listen to your daughter.  You are both new to this parenting thing but follow her cues and you won't go wrong.  Trust your gut.  Know that you are doing a great job and good luck.

in my life

I'm sorry you are dealing with all of this. I know at one month my DD could drink nowhere near 4 oz. of breast milk. She was drinking about 2 to 2.5 oz.

RichInLove

I don't know if you know this, but an LC will weigh her before a feeding and then weigh her after to see how much she's eating.

 Also, if you're counting every 1.5 hours, are you counting from start of nursing to start of nursing? That's how LC's count the time. It's NOT from end of nursing to start of nursing.

 

 

vtwd40

My LO dropped a lot and wasn't aging well (granted, she's only 1 week) but the pedi said not to let her eat for more than 30 minute intervals because after that they start burning more calories than they're taking in. If I were u I would contact a LCD. It can't hurt and they deal with this stuff a lot

RichInLove

also, my DS#1 definitely nursed more frequently than every 2 hours when he was teeny tiny like your LO. There were days (weeks?) where I felt like nursing was all I did... And no two babies are exactly alike. So your doctor putting this hard and fast rule seems ridiculous to me.

WildcatPrincess

I think you're being set up to have your supply messed up if you don't nurse when LO wants to. BFing shouldn't be about oz or the clock and as long as she has good diaper output that should be enough indication things are going well. DD nursed every 90 mins the first 7 months of her life, she rarely could last 2 hours, some kids just take less more often. My friend who FF her daughter even had one like that, it's not just a BF thing. I personally would never try to hold my kid off from eating or force feed more than she wanted unless there were medical implications. I think you really need to talk to someone who understands BFing.

FusionLMT

kkfeb04:

To answer your question, listen to your daughter.  You are both new to this parenting thing but follow her cues and you won't go wrong.  Trust your gut.  Know that you are doing a great job and good luck.

I think this is the best advice. If she was happy and doing well before and had plenty of wet and dirty diapers, then I think you were doing exactly what she needed. My babies are slow gainers also and my ped never had a problem with it. Good luck! 

Mrs.Teddy

I just did some quick math for you...

I hope this make sense and is reassurign and not overwhelming...

BF babies digest BM much quicker, nursing every 1-2 hrs esp during a growth spurt is NOT uncommon at all, and there were times even when L was much older he did so. There is nothing wrong with that, if you go with her flow you will likely find that she's trying to regulate and it will settle into a routine within the next few weeks. Also you may find after many cluster feeds she gives you one longer stretch on her own, normal again.

On average BF babies take in 25oz in 24 hrs, it can range from 19-30 oz each baby has different needs on different days...

If she is taking 1.5oz every 1.5 hours that is 24 oz in 24 hrs, completley within the normal range. I would put her to breast, let her nurse as much as she wants and wait it out a few more weeks to see how she is doing.

The 25th %tile is not at all concerning, she's on the charts and healthy. Trust your baby and your body....

Here's another link to back up what I'm saying...

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

lauranicole91

RichInLove:

I don't know if you know this, but an LC will weigh her before a feeding and then weigh her after to see how much she's eating.

 Also, if you're counting every 1.5 hours, are you counting from start of nursing to start of nursing? That's how LC's count the time. It's NOT from end of nursing to start of nursing.

 

 

 

Yeah a lot of the ladies yesterday were suggestion I do a weighed feeding with LO and a LC.

And yes I am counting from the start of one feeding to the start of her next. As in today she fed at 12pm and then started crying and rooting at 1:20pm 

lauranicole91

Mrs.Teddy:

I just did some quick math for you...

I hope this make sense and is reassurign and not overwhelming...

BF babies digest BM much quicker, nursing every 1-2 hrs esp during a growth spurt is NOT uncommon at all, and there were times even when L was much older he did so. There is nothing wrong with that, if you go with her flow you will likely find that she's trying to regulate and it will settle into a routine within the next few weeks. Also you may find after many cluster feeds she gives you one longer stretch on her own, normal again.

On average BF babies take in 25oz in 24 hrs, it can range from 19-30 oz each baby has different needs on different days...

If she is taking 1.5oz every 1.5 hours that is 24 oz in 24 hrs, completley within the normal range. I would put her to breast, let her nurse as much as she wants and wait it out a few more weeks to see how she is doing.

The 25th %tile is not at all concerning, she's on the charts and healthy. Trust your baby and your body....

Here's another link to back up what I'm saying...

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

I always look forward to your responses on breastfeeding, I think I may have a mama crush on you. But in all seriousness, I really do appreciate your responses.

Yesterday when the Dr was reviewing where she was on the chart he did take into consideration that DH is only 5'5" and I am 4'10", so likely we will just have a smaller baby on the charts. But he still didn't budge on the fact that she "should" be getting 4oz of breastmilk at each feeding, that shouldn't be any closer together than 2 hours.

I don't remember how well I tried to explain his reasonings yesterday but this was his example: If I am really hungry at work and I don't have time to sit down and eat a full meal, sure I can take a couple bites of a candy bar and get rid of that burning hungry feeling. But I am not filling myself up and will therefore not gain weight properly.

His example makes sense, but at the same time, if that is how LO feels like she has to eat in order to coupe with her reflux and not spit up as much, then so be it.

My other issues with her cluster feedings is I am going to have a tough time finding a time to pump bottles for when I return to work in less than 2 weeks. Any tips on that? 

lauranicole91

And just as a general response to everyone who took the time to reply, thank you. I feel very comfortable about her amount of diapers and I now realize/accept that some babies just eat less more often(as a PP put it).

Sometimes you just have to throw your pedi's advice out the window and trust yourself/your LO. And that is exactly what I am going to do.

I will probably still seek advice from a LC just for a peace of mind, but I'm sure LO is doing fine and I am not doing wrong by her.

Thank you again! 

pintsizedmama

Don't think this means that you aren't producing enough or aren't succeeding at BFing.  My DS was the same way for a while.  He was between the 10-20th percentile for probably the better part of his first year (although he was a big baby at birth).  I questioned if I was doing the right thing for him... and remember at one point (too soon) by the recommendation of one of the peds at the practice I take him too -trying to stretch to every 3 hrs so I could pump in between. ha.. what a joke.  Thankfully the ped that was regularly knew I was trying to EBF and reassured me that he was growing on track.. for him.  I agree with PPs that you should just take LOs lead and BF on demand.  Your milk will regulate and it WILL get easier.  BF can be so incredibly hard in the beginning and even once you get into a good routine it is very demanding and time consuming.  But don't get discouraged!  Good luck mama!

Mrs.Teddy

I thnk that 1.5-2 oz could very well be filling her. I don't understand why it has to be 4 oz Eliya is a bit younger and only takes about 2 oz a feeding still. THey have tiny tummy's. I think between the meds and thr growth spurts things will get better in the next few weeks. Once your at work will you be able to pump during the day? Your body should adjust to longer less frequent sessions, and start producing more. For now to start to build a stash (although you shouldn't need a huge stash only 1 day's worth really as you can pump one day for the next KWIM), can you pump on one side while she nurses on the other? Its take some coordination but will yield the most. a hands free bra will help. ALso if she is just on one side she should drain the breast which should help to increase your supply. An empty breast tells your body to make more. Good Luck!

I think your doing an awesome job, and I think based on you & your husbands size she is fine in the 25%tile. As long as her diapers reassure you and she is gaining. Plus I bet she's in a growth spurt that is just making you question it even more. The first 6 weeks are the hardest once you hit 7 weeks things usually get A LOT better!

okate0213

4oz! That's a lot, my EBF 4 month old drank 4 oz bottles of BM. Sounds like she is having a growth spurt. I would just BF her like normal and definitly get in contact with an LC who can do pre and post weights on her. I found this calculator from Kellymom helpful.

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/