Collin's 2 month stats (lkstor, can you read please?!)

sevenonesix · January 2011

Just got back from C-man's 2mo appointment.

I was really excited to see how much he's grown only to find out he's way below "average" (50%).

Weight: 9lb 3.6oz - 6%

Length: 21" - 2%

Head: 39.5cm - 19%

When the Ped came in, he seemed very concerned. I was too. However, he said some babies just grow at slower rates and it sounds like I'm doing everything I can (feeding every 3 hours except at night, taking my PNV - although I could be better at doing this consistently, he's not spitting up any huge amounts that would make him concerned, he's got a chunky belly & thighs).

But I can't help but feel like I've failed somehow. I mean.... SIX AND TWO percent?! That means only 2/100 babies his age are 21" and 6/100 are at his weight.

So, he did say to bump up his feedings to no more than every 2 1/2 (which I've noticed C is hungrier sooner than his past every 3 hours these days). I'll go back in a month for a weight check just to be sure he's gaining consistently and if not, I'll have to supplement.

My question is: what else, if anything, can I do? Maybe he's not getting enough BFing? He seems satisfied, I mean... I would know if he wasn't, right? He doesn't seem unhealthy by any means, doc said his exam was great. But, I don't know I guess I'm just worried now. I mean, he's not even 2lb above what he was at his 2w check up (7lb 6.8oz).

*sigh* I feel like a terrible mom. Being a new mom can be so hard! Not really knowing what to expect!

On the other hand, he didn't do too bad with his shots. Of course he cried bloody murder while the nurse (?) did the shots, but he calmed very quickly, nursed, and went straight to sleep. I didn't even cry! I was *so* close, though!

Jessicamz · January 2011

I wouldn't worry. Some babies are just small. There's nothing wrong with being below average. At 2 months Brody was only 9 pounds 10 ounces and his pedi didn't show any concern. As a baby and child I was actually never even on the charts! If he's eating well and gaining weight I wouldn't be concerned. If he seems satisfied then I'm sure he's eating enough! You could always try pumping so you know exactly how much he's eating at a given feeding.

Also, if you're against supplementing make sure your pedi knows that. Brody took a while to gain his birth weight back and they kept mentioning supplementing and I told them I really, really didn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. They were very understanding and watched him closely to make sure he gained enough before resorting to formula.

sevenonesix · January 2011

Jessicamz:
I wouldn't worry. Some babies are just small. There's nothing wrong with being below average. At 2 months Brody was only 9 pounds 10 ounces and his pedi didn't show any concern. As a baby and child I was actually never even on the charts! If he's eating well and gaining weight I wouldn't be concerned. If he seems satisfied then I'm sure he's eating enough! You could always try pumping so you know exactly how much he's eating at a given feeding.
Also, if you're against supplementing make sure your pedi knows that. Brody took a while to gain his birth weight back and they kept mentioning supplementing and I told them I really, really didn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. They were very understanding and watched him closely to make sure he gained enough before resorting to formula.

Thanks hun. I guess the low % rages just scared me or caught me off guard.

I told his Ped that I'd only supplement with breast milk first, and he completely supported me. I have nothing against formula, in fact if it IS necessary I'm all for it - I just want to try everything I can before that.

lkstor · January 2011

How do you think your supply is? It can be hard to tell if you're not making QUITE enough. LO gets enough to get rid of that hungry sensation but might not be totally full. Will your Pedi or LC do a weight check before and after a feed to estimate how much milk he's transferring? Otherwise I would empirically start Fenugreek and see if that gives you a boost. I agree with more frequent feedings. Lots of skin-to-skin time is great as well. GL and try not to worry too much.

Jessicamz · January 2011

sevenonesix:
Jessicamz:

I wouldn't worry. Some babies are just small. There's nothing wrong with being below average. At 2 months Brody was only 9 pounds 10 ounces and his pedi didn't show any concern. As a baby and child I was actually never even on the charts! If he's eating well and gaining weight I wouldn't be concerned. If he seems satisfied then I'm sure he's eating enough! You could always try pumping so you know exactly how much he's eating at a given feeding.

Also, if you're against supplementing make sure your pedi knows that. Brody took a while to gain his birth weight back and they kept mentioning supplementing and I told them I really, really didn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. They were very understanding and watched him closely to make sure he gained enough before resorting to formula.

Thanks hun. I guess the low % rages just scared me or caught me off guard.

I told his Ped that I'd only supplement with breast milk first, and he completely supported me. I have nothing against formula, in fact if it IS necessary I'm all for it - I just want to try everything I can before that.

I totally understand! I can see how it would be scary if you didn't expect it. I knew Brody was small even before he was born so I wasn't surprised.

I'm glad your Pedi was supportive! I supplemented with breast milk too and that worked for us! I hope it does for you, too. I completely agree that if formula is necessary I'm all for it. In the hospital they gave B a bottle b/c his blood sugar was low and I didn't speak up and I wish I had. So I find myself telling everyone to speak up because sometimes there's other alternatives.

sevenonesix · January 2011

lkstor:
How do you think your supply is? It can be hard to tell if you're not making QUITE enough. LO gets enough to get rid of that hungry sensation but might not be totally full. Will your Pedi or LC do a weight check before and after a feed to estimate how much milk he's transferring? Otherwise I would empirically start Fenugreek and see if that gives you a boost. I agree with more frequent feedings. Lots of skin-to-skin time is great as well. GL and try not to worry too much.

I always thought it was okay... he seems satisfied, but you're right maybe he's not getting totally full. I'm still only pumping less than an ounce out of my lefty - and he empties that really fast. Righty is usually between 2-3oz pumped. But I know they can get more from nursing, too so I don't know. I got the More Milk Plus supplements but I have a really hard time remembering to take them. Looks like I'm going to need to set an alarm on my phone to remind me.

Erin RN · January 2011

Nathan is on the small side for weight right now. At almost 3mos he was in the less than 3% group. We held off on the formula until he lost weight for 2 weight checks in a row. I think taking the supplements are a great idea. Also feeding more often might help too. GL hun, I know just how worrisom it is!

TravelinMama · January 2011

I know how you're feeling right now. Mia gained nothing the three weeks after her 2 month appointment. Something else I would do / did do was pump after a feeding so that I was making more, especially during the feeds where I noticed she was particularly fussy and in between feeds as well if she went more than two hours, no more than 15 minutes, but enough to tell my boobs that I needed milk.

nferrante · January 2011

Breastfed babies don't gain a lot of weight sometimes I was told. As long as he's gaining...I wouldn't worry! DS only gained I think 1lb between is 2month and 4months apt. I EBF too! He's probably just a small baby.

ringer10 · January 2011

Jessicamz:
I wouldn't worry. Some babies are just small. There's nothing wrong with being below average. At 2 months Brody was only 9 pounds 10 ounces and his pedi didn't show any concern. As a baby and child I was actually never even on the charts! If he's eating well and gaining weight I wouldn't be concerned. If he seems satisfied then I'm sure he's eating enough! You could always try pumping so you know exactly how much he's eating at a given feeding.

Also, if you're against supplementing make sure your pedi knows that. Brody took a while to gain his birth weight back and they kept mentioning supplementing and I told them I really, really didn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. They were very understanding and watched him closely to make sure he gained enough before resorting to formula.

This! My child was on the small side, still almost below the charts- he's small! Otherwise, he's a chunker when you look at him.

I would consult an LC and have him weighted before and after a feeding. Do everything lkstor said and if your supply is not upping, you may ask the LC about domperidone. The only way you will know if he is getting enough is by doing a weighed feeding.

I worked w/a LC for over a month and got my LO back on the charts (2% for weight, 10% for height) but he was on the chart. It is a constant struggle, but he looks plumb- he's just small. PM me if you need any additional info or post on FB and I will show you pics of my underweight kid.

grr_aargh · January 2011

Hey - that cloth diaper shop has a scale and can do weighs for you - there's also a nursing mom support group on Tues/Thurs with an LC, I believe, from 1-2pm. If you want, next week you and C-man can come down here and we can go - I'll just put my guy in after-hours at the preschool and Elsa and I can head down there with you - then you could get some face to face support, do the weigh, and all sorts of stuff (or we could do it Thurs if you feel like it).

I'm with everyone else - I'd add a short pumping session after he nurses to stimulate supply. Is he nursing from both sides? Pump lefty after he's done with it but WHILE he's eating off of the right side. . . then do 5 mins after he's done with the right side. That should trigger your bod to make a bit more.

Do you have your growth charts from when you and your DH were young? You may be following similar patterns. And, to be frank, some kids just are different. Someone has to be 2%, kwim?

erpetdoc · January 2011

I can't really talk about small babies specifically -- I'm neither a pediatrician nor the mama of a small baby. But I wanted to say one thing, sevenonesix.... you are NOT a bad mama, and you're doing GREAT for C-man. Hang in there!! I agree with everyone else about stimulating your supply. I'm an oversupply mama, and it just kind of happened, but early on, oatmeal and lots and lots of water helped me too. Keep on keeping on, and definitely do weighted feedings. That is what the pediatrician did with A when she was diagnosed with and recovering from jaundice issues.

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Collin's 2 month stats (lkstor, can you read please?!)

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