48 hours of formula feeding

credcat7

Baby girl is not gaining enough weight on the BF we are doing so we are first determining if she CAN gain weight on a more structured schedule

If it is decided that she is gaining weight on this method, then we find go to a LC for me to review my BF habits and my milk to see if there is a problem with any of it

I would be fine going to EP, but I really hope that we don't have to formula supplement for long

Anyone with the same experiences?

LO is 4 weeks today.  BW was 5lbs 9 oz, dropped weight in hospital and got back to birth weight at her 3 week weight check, but only gained 2 oz this last week ( we were allowed to feed on demand instead of schedule this last week) 

shotzie

I would not do the formula. I'd see a LC ASAP instead. Babies should gain .5 to 1 oz a day. So she was 1.5 oz below the minimum weight gain for a week. Not horrible, but something to work on. See a LC for a weighed feeding to see how much milk LO transfers from the breast. If she's not nursing efficiently, I'd have her evaluated for tongue tie.

In the meantime, I'd nurse, nurse, nurse. If you feel the need to supplement, I'd pump once or twice a day, and use that milk as a supplement instead of formula.

pumpkinhead4

This sort of happened to me and instead i pumped and bottle fed and baby gained weight fine and continues to now. How do you plan on keeping up your supply? Are you going to pump every time you offer formula? Have you tried pumping? How much are you getting at a time? GL I am sure as baby gets bigger and stronger she will get more efficient. Hang in there!

Ladiebug710

This seems like very strange advice and I am curious where is came from.  If it is from a pedi then they need a little re-education in breastfeeding.  I would see an LC immediately.  I also agree with PP that you should pump between feedings (dont expect to get a lot each time) and use that to supplement- not formula.

greeneyedjess

credcat7:

Baby girl is not gaining enough weight on the BF we are doing so we are first determining if she CAN gain weight on a more structured schedule

If it is decided that she is gaining weight on this method, then we find go to a LC for me to review my BF habits and my milk to see if there is a problem with any of it

I would be fine going to EP, but I really hope that we don't have to formula supplement for long

Anyone with the same experiences?

LO is 4 weeks today.  BW was 5lbs 9 oz, dropped weight in hospital and got back to birth weight at her 3 week weight check, but only gained 2 oz this last week ( we were allowed to feed on demand instead of schedule this last week) 

 

We went through some weight gain issues, too.  DS was born at 8 lbs 9 oz and it took about 3 weeks for him to get back to his birth weight.  At the advice of his pedi, I started giving him 2 ounces of formula every time I nursed him.  This helped him gain almost 1 1/2 lbs in a week!  So, at 4 weeks, he was up to 9 lbs 12 oz.  We also had issues-him being jaundiced bad enough to require phototherapy in the hospital and at home and me developing postpartum pre-e.  What really helped me feel more confident about my milk being enough was speaking to an IBCLC and a La Leche League leader.  I attended a breastfeeding support group hosted by the IBCLC and did a weighed feed-he got 1.5 oz but had nursed a bit in the car before we went in, so he probably got more like 2 oz.  I also rented a scale from the LC that night and that was another great way to feel confident that he was getting enough from me-he gained like 6 ounces in a day.  I still supplement with formula here and there, mostly at his last feeding before I go to bed, because it gives us both a 4 hour stretch of sleep.  He has an appointment on Friday and I'll admit, I'm a bit scared of what his weight will be!  I can tell he's gaining because he's heavier and starting to get chubby but, after our rough start, I'm always afraid something's going to go wrong.

Do you have access to an LC?  Or a breastfeeding support group you can join? Can you rent a scale? I think the advice of no breastmilk for 48 hours is a little extreme.  If I were you, I'd definitely see an IBCLC as soon as possible, rent a scale and think about finding a new pedi if breastfeeding is important to you.