3 week old baby weight gain?

fadedgrace · May 2012

Hi there,

ok a little background.....

at birth my son weighed 6 lbs 15 oz. Due to several reasons ( a previous medical condition, baby being jaundiced, etc,) we stayed a full week in the hospital. During this time baby dropped to 6 lbs 4 oz but by the time we left the hospital baby had started to put on weight and the doctors and nurses were not concerned. While at the hospital baby and I recieved tons of support and help with breastfeeding and after trial and error we discovered that due to baby keeping his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth and my flat nipples, a nipple shield was a perfect fit for us. Baby left the hospital at a weight of 6 lbs 5 oz.

fast forward to three weeks old.......I had a doctors appointment yesterday, baby is currently measuring 7 lbs 3 oz. The doctor is concerned that baby is not getting calories (I am EBF) and has recommended we supplement with formula. Of course I want what is best for my child but it breaks my heart a little especially since we have tried so hard to breastfeed

so ladies I am just curious at three weeks how much had your lo gained?

blushingbride_08 · May 2012

birth weight was 7lbs 9 oz. left hospital at 7lbs 2 oz. 3 weeks 4 days weight was 9lbs 2oz

jenbelsan · May 2012

Birth weight 6# 13oz, 1 week old, 6# 2 oz, had to start supplementing with formula, only gained 3 oz by week 2, week 3 weight was 7# 5 oz. so we are kind of in the same boat as you.

weddingfakes · May 2012

Very similar to you with the weight and loss...

DD was born at 6lbs, 13 ozs. Lost 10% of her birth weight in the 4 days we were there (I had a c-section). At this point the hospital told me I needed to supplement with formula and I refused, but this is my 3rd child and I felt comfortable in the fact that I would be able to breastfeed just fine.

At 17 days old DD weighed 7lbs, 5 ozs. My doctor said that the rule of thumb for weight gain is birth weight by 10 days old and an ounce a day afterward (for how long I don't know...).

If you are set on EBF, speak to a lactation consultant or LLL before you begin supplementing. I've had 2 previous EBF babies where doctors have tried to convince me to supplement because they were on the smaller end of the growth curve (10th percentile), but it turns out my children are just small, healthy as horses, just small horses (6 yo is 40lbs, 4 yo 28 lbs). Weight curves are guidelines that not everyone fits inside.

I took them to a pediatrician when they were infants for a second opinion and was told that there was absolutely no need to supplement.

Don't be bullied, get help and/or a second opinion before making your decision.

rinny25 · May 2012

9lb 3oz @ birth, left hospital at 8lb 11oz, 2wk check up, 9lb 11oz, 3wk (thought baby had thrush otherwise I wouldn't know this) DD was 10lb 11oz.

Maybe your LO isn't getting enough hind milk. How long are you breast feeding on each side? I know the breast feeding board has tons in knowledge if you really want to breast feed maybe repost this over there as well?

pinksweetpea2 · May 2012

I don't understand what the problem is. He has regained his birth weight and then some. This is perfectly normal for a EBF baby. My first DD didn't reach her birth weight until 3 weeks, but by the time she reached 6 weeks she was a chunky monkey. My second DD was about the same as your LO and is doing great.

Even if there was a problem (and I don't think there is), it is irresponsible and just plain uninformed to jump to recommending formula supplementing at this point. It will effect your supply and is most likely totally unnecessary. Also, you should know that the growth charts your pedi are using are based on formula fed babies- which can grow at a different rate than those who are EBF. The WHO has a better one that I will try to find and post on here.

Your pedi is out of date on this topic and I HIGHLY recommend you see a LC ASAP. I hired a IBLCE to come to my house and it was the BEST thing I have ever done. They can weight your baby before and after you feed so you can see that your LO is getting enough.

GL

pinksweetpea2 · May 2012

Here you go:

https://kellymom.com/health/growth/growthcharts/

Please please do not let your pedi scare you into supplementing at this point. Hire an LC ASAP- you will not regret it. If you are worried about the costs, you can submit the payment to your insurance. Mine covered most of the payment.

GL

skibunny59 · May 2012

I am EBF and we are also struggling with weight gain. At 3 weeks DD was still 2 oz shy of her birth weight. I would get help from a LC. Pediatricians know very little about breastfeeding.

ThebabyK · May 2012

I would recommend going to the Lactation classes support group. Every hospital should provide that for free. You can bond with others and also there is a Lactation consultant who will guide you and weigh your baby each time. You can also rent a scale at the hospital for very cheap, they are each gram sensitive and weigh baby before feeding and right after. Make sure baby has no clothes on while weighing. That way you will know exactly how much baby eats. The weights will even show you exact amount in OZ he's eaten.

Good luck darling.

Traci09 · May 2012

At 1 week old, your LO was 6 lb 5 oz, then at 3 weeks, he was 7 lb 3 oz. That's 14 oz gained in 14 days. You want him to gain 5-7 oz per week. Sounds like you're doing great! I don't see why your pedi would recommend supplementing with formula.

My DS was back at his birth weight at 3 weeks, and he's still EBF. He was 10 lbs at 2 months, so at about the 10th percentile for weight, but the pedi says that he's doing fine.

vixen3031 · May 2012

I don't understand the problem either. My DD didn't regain birth weight until she was three weeks old. At the most you could consider pumping after you BF and then feed your LO that. It will keep up your supply up and still give your baby breast milk.

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