XP: DS losing weight

naflmj · April 2010

So, DS is 14 weeks and has lost over a pound in the last 2 weeks. He was born small (5lb 8oz) but was past his birth weight in his first week. Now he is down to 8lb 13oz. He STTN so I thought I could wake him to feed him and send an extra bottle to daycare and make sure they feed him even if he isn't showing signs of hunger. Any other suggestions? The pedi said we'd have to supplement if he isn't back on the charts at his 4 month appt. He really pushes BFing so I'm happy he isn't jumping on the formula waggon right away but I'm so frustrated.

CTri17 · April 2010

wait, he doubled his weight in his first week? Or did you mean something different?

How many oz is he taking?

If I were you and they were going to push me to supplement if his weight didn't come up I'd wake him up once in the MOTN to feed him and perhaps cluster feed at night when you are home with him.

Krisx2 · April 2010

Now I wouldn't do this suggestion without your ped's permission, but you could always fortify your breastmilk. We have to do that with premies all the time. Breastmilk has 20 calories per ounce. And if you mix breastmilk with powdered formula (NOT mix breastmilk and formula made with water) it adds extra calories. I would give you the "recipe" but like I said, I'd would clear any calorie adding with the ped first to be sure.

naflmj · April 2010

Oops...I meant he was past his birthweight in the first week. He has always been in the 3-5% but at least he was on the charts, now he's off them

He takes 4 1/2 oz at daycare twice during the 7 hours...he really hates the bottle. He cluster feeds when he is home with me, I did not see his pedi but another family doc in the practice so I will still try to hold off the formula if I can. Clearly, I don't want him to suffer either but he doesn't seem hungry and is always so happy and content.

epphd · April 2010

Ah OK - so he's eating 9 ounces while you are at work - that's just not a lot. If he is STTN he's not making up for it, hence the weight loss. Many babies don't eat much at daycare (mine included) but will eat more throughout the night to compensate - they call it reverse cycling. Babies need on average 1.5 ounces per hour, so you can try to get the daycare to up his intake to that amount, or wake up once or twice at night to feed him.

Again, so sorry you are dealing with this. FWIW, Sam gets better with bottles at daycare every week. He's now up to 13 ounces a (9 hour) day.

epphd · April 2010

Another suggestion - if he hates the bottle can you factor in 15 minutes at drop off and pick up to nurse him? If you do that on top of the two bottles, he may only need to eat once in the MOTN and still gain weight.

naflmj · April 2010

epphd:
Another suggestion - if he hates the bottle can you factor in 15 minutes at drop off and pick up to nurse him? If you do that on top of the two bottles, he may only need to eat once in the MOTN and still gain weight.

I am sending 3 bottles with 4oz each tomorrow and asking her to feed at specific times. DH drops him off so I can't feed him then and I live 5 minutes from daycare so he eats as soon as he comes home and basically all night until he goes to bed. I guess I'll wake him to feed and see how that goes. He is always happy and content so I didn't feel like he wasn't eating enough...I feel terrible!

epphd · April 2010

naflmj:
epphd:
Another suggestion - if he hates the bottle can you factor in 15 minutes at drop off and pick up to nurse him? If you do that on top of the two bottles, he may only need to eat once in the MOTN and still gain weight.

I am sending 3 bottles with 4oz each tomorrow and asking her to feed at specific times. DH drops him off so I can't feed him then and I live 5 minutes from daycare so he eats as soon as he comes home and basically all night until he goes to bed. I guess I'll wake him to feed and see how that goes. He is always happy and content so I didn't feel like he wasn't eating enough...I feel terrible!

Oh hon, don't feel bad. You are right- if he is a happy and content guy and having enough diapers, how else are you to know? He's still doing great so no harm is done. GL getting your little guy to perk up his appetite

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