Should this be the end? (Longish)

KMurph06

I EBF my LO, who is almost 10 weeks old.  We had our two month check up this week (a little late) and according to the chart, she is now in the 1 percentile (yes, one percentile) for her weight/age.  The pedi said he was only slightly concerned about it and said for us to come back for a weigh in two weeks before he doesn't see her until her 4 month check up.  He doesn't know much about BFing so I immediately contacted a LC and set up a meeting.   She came yesterday and I felt better, but now I'm not so sure.  I spent the rest of yesterday and all day today latching her whenever she seemed fussy (basically a human pacifier), doing lots of skin to skin (as much as she will tolerate), and pumping whenever I could.  What I pumped during the day I gave her both nights at our last evening feeding and she guzzled down (this makes me nervous because now I am not able to store any milk for when I am gone and I will be gone all day this coming Monday).  Also tonight it seemed like my breasts were empty and she was very frustrated.  I started taking More Milk Plus from Motherlove yesterday as well, but I have not seen an increase yet.  I feel like all I am doing is stressing about my milk supply and whether or not my baby is starving since she is not gaining weight like she should.  I really want to keep BFing, but I don't want to be stubborn at my baby's expense.  Should I throw in the towel or do some mix of BF and formula???

caitie2002

You sound like you are doing your best!  I don't really have much advice and this is all my opinion, but if neither your LC or pedi have advised formula I wouldn't start supplementing on a regular basis until they do.  However, Monday when you are gone I would not stress about having pumped milk (try to have at least one bottle) and just do formula to make up the difference.  That way you can focus on nursing her this weekend without worrying about pumping,  Make sure you are eating and drinking plenty.  And don't feel bad if at her next weight check the pedi says to supplement.  As long as your baby is being fed, you are doing the right thing. 

Good luck!

desdemona39

Be sure to stay hydrated and eat well, and keep in mind that stress can affect your supply as well.

As for giving her your pumped milk, if you are not pumping to make up for a missed feed, you are going to worsen your supply problems. Also, look up on kellymom how to bottlefeed a breastfed baby just because she's guzzling down a bottle, doesn't mean she's hungry- she's protecting her airway.

Also, make sure to plot her weight on the WHO growth chart for breastfed babies. Most pedis use the CDC chart which is based on formula fed babies.

Has she been dropping percentiles? Because there's nothing wrong with being on the small side if that's where she is consistently. Is she having wet/dirty diapers? How much weight has she gained and in what time frame? If your pedi is not that worried, you shouldn't be either, IMO.

I would not supplement with formula unless absolutely necessary, as it can be a slippery slope. Try to put your baby to the breast instead of giving that pumped milk and save the milk for Monday if possible. Also be sure you are taking breaks to pump on Monday while away from your LO. You can also try renting a hospital grade pump, because that can be more efficient than personal use pumps.

Also maybe call a LLL leader or LC and ask about other supplements you can take. After trying other things, perhaps medication (if you are comfortable with that) can help you.

There's plenty you can do if you chose to not throw in the towel. And even if you do decide to supplement, BF does not have to be all or nothing. You don't have to wean unless that is what you want. Any BM is beneficial.

GL!

Ashley&Scott

desdemona39:

Be sure to stay hydrated and eat well, and keep in mind that stress can affect your supply as well.

As for giving her your pumped milk, if you are not pumping to make up for a missed feed, you are going to worsen your supply problems. Also, look up on kellymom how to bottlefeed a breastfed baby just because she's guzzling down a bottle, doesn't mean she's hungry- she's protecting her airway.

Also, make sure to plot her weight on the WHO growth chart for breastfed babies. Most pedis use the CDC chart which is based on formula fed babies.

Has she been dropping percentiles? Because there's nothing wrong with being on the small side if that's where she is consistently. Is she having wet/dirty diapers? How much weight has she gained and in what time frame? If your pedi is not that worried, you shouldn't be either, IMO.

I would not supplement with formula unless absolutely necessary, as it can be a slippery slope. Try to put your baby to the breast instead of giving that pumped milk and save the milk for Monday if possible. Also be sure you are taking breaks to pump on Monday while away from your LO. You can also try renting a hospital grade pump, because that can be more efficient than personal use pumps.

Also maybe call a LLL leader or LC and ask about other supplements you can take. After trying other things, perhaps medication (if you are comfortable with that) can help you.

There's plenty you can do if you chose to not throw in the towel. And even if you do decide to supplement, BF does not have to be all or nothing. You don't have to wean unless that is what you want. Any BM is beneficial.

GL!

I agree with all of this.  

ebp913

I would also worry a bit if you are pumping all day while your baby is still nursing.  If you are taking the milk out by pumping, she may not be getting enough from you. I would pump 1 time per day for now until things get settled.  You could also set yourself up for a major oversupply if you keep doing it which would not be fun.  I also second everything else the PPs said!

meganandchase

Was your baby on the small side when she was born?  If so, then being small now isn't an issue.  I had trouble with supply when DS was born.  What worked for me was pumping after I fed him.  He would be full, I would have an ounce or so for later, and my body would think he needed more and start to make more.  

I think I know how you feel.  With DS I was so adamant that he was going to be breastfed for the first year.  I think it caused a lot of unnecessary stress.  I know a lot of women who I consider very good mothers who gave it up early for one reason or another.  I did make it the full year with DS, but I am not going to be so hard on myself with the second one.  Try your best.  If it doesn't work out, your child will still grow up to be awesome.