I'm horrified. DS has lost 18% of his birthweight. :'(

AutumnBride929 · September 2009

We just had a pedi appt. this afternoon and I was terrified when he weighed in at 6lbs 13oz! Crying

I don't understand. He eats CONSTANTLY! I called the breastfeeding center at the hospital today and left a message so hopefully they can get me in tomorrow. He's also going in for another weight check tomorrow morning & I'm scared to see what it's going to show. I don't want to have to supplement!! He was diagnosed with thrush today and the pedi said that could have something to do with it. She said he has a great latch and he doesn't look dehydrated at all. We are parked on the sofa for a marathon feeding session for the rest of the night... although he's passed out right now. I fed him from each breast while we were in the pedi's office though. UGH!! How does a 3-1/2-hour nursing session last night and other crazy nursing frenzies every single day equal an 18% weight loss?! I feel terrible. I felt like such a horrible mom, lol. The nurse who checked on his last weight probably though I was neglecting my son.

little__bit · September 2009

Have you done the weight checks before AND after a feeding? The doctor might say the latch is good, but you don't know how much is transferring unless you weigh LO before and after a feeding. Make sure that happens at your next appointment.

Have you talked to a LC too? She may prescribe supplementing through a supplemental nursing system.

Don't freak out -- this is correctable. My son lost a lot of weight after discharge and I felt like a horrible mom too. Keep your head together and evaluate the resources available to you.

AutumnBride929 · September 2009

little__bit:
Have you done the weight checks before AND after a feeding?
Have you talked to a LC too?
Don't freak out -- this is correctable. My son lost a lot of weight after discharge and I felt like a horrible mom too. Keep your head together and evaluate the resources available to you.

No, she didn't check the weight before and after. I'll mention that tomorrow. The breastfeeding center is where all the LCs are so I will hopefully get in to see one tomorrow! I think she did mention something about a nursing system but I had no clue what she was talking about, lol. Hopefully that helps!

little__bit · September 2009

AutumnBride929:
little__bit:
Have you done the weight checks before AND after a feeding?
Have you talked to a LC too?
Don't freak out -- this is correctable. My son lost a lot of weight after discharge and I felt like a horrible mom too. Keep your head together and evaluate the resources available to you.
No, she didn't check the weight before and after. I'll mention that tomorrow. The breastfeeding center is where all the LCs are so I will hopefully get in to see one tomorrow! I think she did mention something about a nursing system but I had no clue what she was talking about, lol. Hopefully that helps!

This is sort of like the supplemental nursing system I used. You feed the tube into LO's mouth while nursing. You or your partner can gently squeeze a bit of EBM or formula through the tube. It supports the act of nursing while ensuring a bit more calories.

What do your LO's diapers look like? I assume the meconium is past...?

madhatter2003 · September 2009

my advice would be to see if you can get an LLL leader or someone to your house tonight....they may have some ways to help you before you can get in tomorrow to see the LC.

josswhedon · September 2009

My friend went through this EXACT situation, it is correctable. She did have to pump and feed for a few weeks. (to both build up her supply and measure how much she was producing.)

I'm happy to report that she doesn't have to do that anymore and is 100% bfing!! I would contact an LC but it can be done don't lose hope!

scott&kim · September 2009

DON'T FREAK OUT! I went through this with my DD and we didn't have a great latch. She was 6lbs, 6 oz at birth and dropped over the next week to 5lbs 6 oz. My pedi had me start supplementing and honestly it is my biggest regret. She was not having any other issues and appeared healthy otherwise. I was a scared first time mom and did what the doc said; hindsight I would have held off and spent a lot more time with a lactation consultant to get our latch issues figure out.

I second the weighing before and after a feeding. This will give you a great sense of relief too since you can see how much your LO is getting.

Best of luck.

joellaclar · September 2009

This may seem silly, but after my DD failed to gain the recommended amount of weight at her one week check-up, a friend of mine who is a pedi suggested that the problem could be that although I was eating enough food, I had too many "empty" calories. I really wanted to try losing a bit of weight so I was eating foods like diet bread, fat free cheese and fat free milk, and he thought that maybe the milk I was producing didn't have enough calories in it for DD. She now has gained more than enough weight since changing my diet, it may be coincidence, but it's worth keeping in mind. GL:-)

berty12777 · September 2009

I also wanted to add that my DD's birth weight was "exaggerated" by all the fluids I was pumped full of during birth (a kind of traumatic birth experience). She was so puffy and swollen when born and had about a million wet diapers in the first few days. The doctor and I agree that she was losing that water weight. So, even though she lost a large percentage of her birthweight (about 20%), they weren't too worried because her diapers were wet/poopy like they were supposed to be.

You're doing the right thing by going to the LCs and by seeking out the right info to make this BFing relationship successful - what a good momma! Your baby will be fine!

cindy453 · September 2009

Take a deep breath! Call your LLL leader and see if they can help you tonight- either in person or over the phone. I hope it works out, post an update!

alison43 · September 2009

berty12777:
I also wanted to add that my DD's birth weight was "exaggerated" by all the fluids I was pumped full of during birth (a kind of traumatic birth experience). She was so puffy and swollen when born and had about a million wet diapers in the first few days. The doctor and I agree that she was losing that water weight. So, even though she lost a large percentage of her birthweight (about 20%), they weren't too worried because her diapers were wet/poopy like they were supposed to be.
You're doing the right thing by going to the LCs and by seeking out the right info to make this BFing relationship successful - what a good momma! Your baby will be fine!

this is what i was going to say. i got something ridiculous like 5 liters of fluid before DD was born...she lost a lot (12%) but continually gained after hitting that lowest point.

ncbelle · September 2009

Everyone has given you good advice - I'd also add that part of it might just be a difference in the scales he was weighed on - or if he was weighed before eating and after peeing/pooping. That could make a difference of a few ounces which could be exaggerating how much he has lost.

You are doing the right things - hang in there and good luck!

KittyFX · September 2009

Good point on what you are eating. You may have the LC check your breast milk to see the calorie content. Be careful with the supplemental nursing system. I was told to supplement in the hospital and we used this. It didn't take long for DS to get used to the fast flow from this prohibiting him from learning to nurse effectively. If you go this route I would try not to use it very much if you can.

t&dm · September 2009

My DD lost almost a pound the few days after birth. I was totally freaked out and so was the pedi. I just forced myself to relax, kept water beside my bed and nursed DD every 1-2 hours and after just 2 days she gained all but 3oz back!

I was so relieved and that made me produce even more milk. Try and relax and drink lots and lots of water and keep healthy snacks near you. I ate (still do) nutragrain bars, triscuits, wheat thins, grapes, cheese cubes, ect...small, bite-sized healthy snacks and lots of fluids keeps that milk a flowin!

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I'm horrified. DS has lost 18% of his birthweight. :'(

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