My baby is still losing weight

llking_2984 · September 2009

Today Ryder went in for another check up and to get his 2nd PKU test done. He has been eating so much more and it seems more often so I thought we would see an increase in weight. Well we didn't. Here is the standings of his weight:

Birth: 7lbs 7oz

1 week check up: 6lbs 14oz

2 week check up: 6lbs 11.5oz

The Dr told me to set an alarm and feed him every 2 hours. If he doesn't always want to eat those every 2 hours that's fine, but to get him on that for the next few days. She also said inbetween those feedings for me to pump to increase my milk flow more and have milk ready for when I go back to work. That way we don't have to use formula at all. Did anyone else have problems with a shrinking baby? Did you end up having to supplement with formula?

I feel like I have plenty of milk for him. To be honest "the girls" seem to be very full. Thankfull DH is off on Fri and my sister will be watching him on Thurs and both are going to bring him to me at work on my lunch break to feed him so I will get to still feed him in the morning before I leave, in the middle of the day and when I get home.

Em7.31.04 · September 2009

DS2 lost weight too and was still below his birth weight at 2 weeks. I had to go in for weekly ped appts until he started gaining. One issue was that he wasn't getting enough of the fatty hindmilk. He was nursing fine but not staying on a side long enough to get the good stuff. I tried block feeding for a few weeks until he gained enough, and then I resumed our usual nursing pattern. You can read more about block feeding at kelly mom...

AnnetteWalker · September 2009

Are you really going back to work this week? When you just had Ryder 2 weeks ago?

Pump like crazy if you can. And worst case do give him formula if needed.

AnnetteWalker · September 2009

OH and also as your Pedi said feed him every 2 hours even if you have to wake him up. You posted earlier that he slept 6 hours and he really should be eating regardless every 2 hours at his age. He needs the calories to gain weight right now.

Seattle_JiLLn · September 2009

Can you go see a lactation consultant? They can weigh him before and after feeding with a really accurate scale and you can see if he's really eating well or not. Ben appeared to latch and nurse just fine, but he wasn't efficient and wasn't getting enough. And was burning too many calories trying to get it. So the LC put together a program for us that worked really well... so plesae if you can go see someone for help.

Did you also say the other day that Ryder is sleeping long stretches? I wouldn't let that happen for a few more weeks since he's losing. I wouldn't do every 2 hours all night though - you'll be a mess. I'd do every 3-4 at night and every 2 during the day.

Are you going back to work this week? Your post sounds like it, but that seems way too soon right?

JRS72206 · September 2009

How long does he nurse for? At that age I used to let Isa nurse for as long as 30 mins at a time. It sounds like a ridiculous amount of time, but she was getting all the fatty milk and plumped up. Feed him more often and for a longer period of time. Also, try to pump as much as possible. This will train your body to make more milk.

N.CarolinaGirl · September 2009

Seattle_JiLLn:
Can you go see a lactation consultant? They can weigh him before and after feeding with a really accurate scale and you can see if he's really eating well or not. Ben appeared to latch and nurse just fine, but he wasn't efficient and wasn't getting enough. And was burning too many calories trying to get it. So the LC put together a program for us that worked really well... so plesae if you can go see someone for help.

We had issues, too. Part was R burning so many calories while making such an effort to get out milk, and part was a latch, and yet another part was my milk failing for most of the day (okay first in the morning, but then nada).

An LC can analyze this and help a great deal. We used Renee https://www.second9months.com/index.html and did an extended consultation. So well worth the money! She weighed her, offered very specific advice, and worked out a schedule that included formula, pumping and breastfeeding for us.

JRS72206 · September 2009

Didn't you deliver at Evergreen? They have great LC's (for free!) from what I've heard. GO SEE THEM!

llking_2984 · September 2009

Thanks ladies. Yes I am going back to work this week. I don't have a lot of time to take off work and because I was already off for over a month financially we can't afford it. And although I would love nothing more then to stay home with my little man more, I also need to think about the needs of the rest of my family.

I actually have an appt with WIC tomorow and they already said they would hook me up with a great LC if needed. So I think I am really going to look into that.

Ryder has been nursing for a good 20min sometimes 30min. I read something his Pedi gave me saying babies should nurse for about 10min but that just seemed so short to me. Also, today I pumped all inbetween the feedings and that went well. I am just going to keep up with that to increase my milk as much as I can.

And Jill, I completely agree about the 2hrs during the night. I might go crazy with that lol. So we are going to test out the 3-4hrs at night and then 2 hrs during the day. Fingers crossed for tonight!

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