Concerns at 2 months...no weight gain

Re: Concerns at 2 months...no weight gain

• stromtobe

  August 2011

  I would listen to your doctor and start supplementing.  Keep on pumping and if your supply increases you can cut out the supplements, but in my experience babies have typically gained several pounds from 2 weeks to 2 months so she possibly is not getting enough nourishment.

  

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• JesOct09

  August 2011

  Would you suggest supplementing now over giving her the extra in breast milk at this point?  I do have a small stash that I could use up before doing the formula.  That would give my body some time to build up more.  I mean it may only get me through a couple more days but I feel like I should try that first. 
  

  

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• EllaSmella member

  August 2011

  Normally, I'm quick to try to avoid the supplementation bandwagon, but in your case, I think it might be warranted. 2 oz seems like a small amount for her age - my LO was taking closer to 3.5 - 4 oz at that age and it is unusual that she hasn't gained any weight from two weeks to two months. How often are you pumping? Can you throw in a morning or evening session to help you get more?
  

  

  

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• kat81again2 member

  August 2011

  First of all, pump after every feeding. It will get your supply up. Even if you use formula temporarily you might be able to avoid it in the long run. I had a sleepy eater as well and it was really rough (though now he eats so fast!) One thing that was mentioned was the possibility of DS being tongue-tied. He was not, but it is something to check if you have not already. 

  The thing about supplementing is that you still want DD to nurse frequently so as to keep your supply up. Supplementing with formula is fine, but it does sometimes cause a slippery slope of reducing your supply, causing more need for supplement, etc.

  Also, look into techniques for keeping DD awake while she eats. Strip her down to the diaper, tickle/scratch her, splash water on her, etc. We had to do SO MUCH to keep DS awake.

  GOOD LUCK! It will all work out. :-) 

  
  
  

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• JesOct09

  August 2011

  Thanks for the tips! 

  I had already planned on changing my pumping routine prior to the dr. appointment in hopes of being able to keep up with her a little better.  I think the problem is that we just weren't giving her enough milk when we gave her bottles.  Then her sleeping when she was to be nursing obviously didn't help either. I really wish we would have had a dr. appointment in between 2 weeks and 2 months to know were she was at.
  

  I think we are going to give her 3 - 3 1/2 oz of breast milk, working up to 4 oz, when away from me.  And I am going to nurse her and then offer a bottle of breast milk after.  Hopefully this will get her to gain before we go back Wed. morning for a weight check.  I guess I want to see if it's me and my milk or if it's just her not consuming enough. 
  

  

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• stromtobe

  August 2011

  JesOct09:

  Thanks for the tips! 

  I had already planned on changing my pumping routine prior to the dr. appointment in hopes of being able to keep up with her a little better.  I think the problem is that we just weren't giving her enough milk when we gave her bottles.  Then her sleeping when she was to be nursing obviously didn't help either. I really wish we would have had a dr. appointment in between 2 weeks and 2 months to know were she was at.
  

  I think we are going to give her 3 - 3 1/2 oz of breast milk, working up to 4 oz, when away from me.  And I am going to nurse her and then offer a bottle of breast milk after.  Hopefully this will get her to gain before we go back Wed. morning for a weight check.  I guess I want to see if it's me and my milk or if it's just her not consuming enough. 
  

  Sorry to post and run the first time but your plan sounds good.  I was thinking possibly offering her more at  a time as well.  Good luck- I hope she starts gaining. 

  

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• maramarrie

  August 2011

  JesOct09:

  I'm not a frequent poster here but I hope you guys have some tips and/or advise for me.

  Just took my 2 month old daughter for check up and she hasn't gained any weight since her 2 week check.  I have been nursing and pumping, just started back to work last week.  She is eating 2 oz about every 2 hours, when we give her a bottle.  When I nurse it's every 2 hours also, but she is still falling asleep and not eating for very long, like 10-15 min.  

  Dr. said to give her 1-2 oz of formula with her 2 oz of breast milk.  I would rather not supplement until I really have to.  I do not have much of a freezer stash.  And my pumping throughout the day currently isn't enough for what she was eating, at the 2oz. 

  Please help and give me your thoughts ladies...Thanks!
  

  I'm as pro-BF as they come, but if your daughter hasn't gained weight I think you really are at that point where you "have to." She isn't getting what she needs just BF, so follow your doctor's advice. If you want to use the freezer stash, mix it with the pre-mixed formula, or use it alongside your formula and continue pumping as long as you'd like. She can still get benefits from BF, she just isn't currently getting all that she needs.

  Continue pumping and trying to raise your supply; then maybe you'll be able to stop supplementing soon enough.
  

  I hope her weight starts going up soon!
  

  
  
  

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