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BF & baby's weight gain issues... please help.

heatherliciousheatherlicious
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

DD was born a week ago & weighed 9lbs. She lost 11% of her weight in the first few days at the hospital (post c-section delivery) so we had to stay an additional night & supplement BF with formula.

Upon coming home, our pediatrician said she looked extremely healthy and formula wouldn't be necessary if she started to gain with BF only. So we happily went home to BF and feel good about our decision, only to find out at our next appointment that she had actually lost another 3oz. I was devastated, after feeding her 13x the previous day and tolerating a lot of nipple pain, I felt like I had failed our little one somehow.

Pedi said not to worry, we'll just supplement w/ 1oz of formula after each round of BF. Of course, DD gobbles up the formula in 5 mintues even when she's asleep and appears satiated after (40 minutes) of BF.

I'm hoping more than anything that DD gains weight back & continues to be healthy, but I'm also really wanting to get to a point where we don't have to feed her every 2.5 hrs and spend so much time on the breast. Anyone have a similar experience or advice to give me hope? TIA.

The nest is not what it used to be!
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Re: BF & baby's weight gain issues... please help.

  • LynnInLove1007LynnInLove1007 member

    Don't feel like you have done anything... this isn't your fault. Have they suggested pumping to increase your supply? I also used a nipple shield to help with the soreness and DS gained like a champ :)

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  • FriendlyFannyFriendlyFanny
    If you're having nipple pain, get to a lactation consultant!
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  • vanillacouragevanillacourage member
    Ditto PP on going to a lactation consultant.

    Also, your daughter is a week old, and she's breastfed.  She will probably be eating more than once every 2.5 hours for quite a while.  Make your peace with it.
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  • JessJones3645JessJones3645 member
    Oh, I remember those days!  Take heart, it will get better!  We had to supplement our little guy for about a month.  When we left the hospital we had to supplement with formula since he had lost too much, so I made an appointment with a lactation consultant.  She watched me feed him and found that he was a sleepy eater so he wasn't stimulating my body to make enough.  But I remember the frustration since it felt like I was feeding him constantly.  I started doing triple feeds to increase my supply. I would feed DS for at 15-20 mins on each side, then supplement him with formula then pump for 15 mins.  I won't lie, it SUCKED, but it worked.  It pumped up my supply and was worth it in my mind.  I probably had to keep doing it for 5 or 6 weeks then I started tapering off pumping after feeds and now I only pump on one side in the morning and both sides before bed.  Just know that it's not forever and it will get easier.  Good luck! 
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  • llamakinsllamakins
    I know every situation is different, but I think it's normal for some babies to nurse for a long time and often when they are young. Back then, my son nursed for about 45 minutes every 2 hours. I did feel like I was feeding him all the time, but eventually it changed. GL! You might want to talk to someone at La Leche who can help you figure out what is normal. In my experience, they have been very helpful and supportive.
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  • EEYORE119EEYORE119
    don't be hard on yourself i went through the same thing my milk wasn't coming in quick enoug for our son now he is fine . he was born 7.8 oz and lost ten percent of his weight down to 6.12 oz then the next week he was 7 pounds and hen the next 6.13 oz we had to supplemnet for a little also and then he was 8 pounds by the 4th week and now my little guy is 13 pounds and growing i found i had a low milk supply and started pumping after each feeding and also taking fenugreek and it has help a great deal just hang in there it gets better and the painful nipples do too.
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  • SevenThree2004SevenThree2004

    Ditto everyone else. My DD lost 10% of her birthweight but we never supplemented with formula, she was making urine, seemed satiated and I knew eventually she'd even out..it took 18 days, longer than the 'textbook' time but i was OK with that and so was ped.  I think that you need to trust your body and your ped. 

    I agree, your baby will want to eat ALL the time it is normal for the first month and then again when she has growth spurts.

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  • jamirajamira
    See a lactation consultant evenif your baby is constanly nursing but not latched on correctly then your baby will not get your milk. When my DS was one week old he nursed for 30 min every 1-2hours. I would just relax with a good book while nursing. My DS also lost weight as he was born at 7 pounds 5 oz and at three days old hes as 6 11oz. I saw a lactation consultant and by two weeks old he was 8 pounds 9 oz.  So def see a lactation consultant and seek help from a la leche league leader. Good luck it does get better.
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  • Brownie0516Brownie0516

    I am sorry that you are having problems, don't beat yourself up, it's not your fault. You are doing the best you can!

    I have to second the advice on a nipple shield. I just got one and it was amazing. No pain and my baby ate like a champ, the most I have seen him eat yet.

     

    Good luck, you are doing great!

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  • heatherliciousheatherlicious

    thanks for the replys.

     I met with three lactation specialists while in the hospital. None saw a problem with the latch, but suggested various techniques to keep her interested. I've tried them all.

     To meet with one now it's $80, possibly refundable by insurance but probably not. So I'm hesitant to go that route just yet. Is Le Leche less expensive?

    How do I know whether pumping is a good idea, or when to do it? How does one know how much milk (BM or Formula) baby should be getting at this point? All the lactation consultants said baby will stop when she's full, but since weight is an issue, obviously this isn't reliable?!?

    The nest is not what it used to be!
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