1st appt not what I expected...

charmedgrl517 · August 2012

So I'm trying not get too upset and keep trying but it is so discouraging : she lost 2oz so the pediatrician wants me to supplement with formula and pump to see how much milk I'm producing. She started at 7lbs10oz then the 2nd day when we left the hospital she was down to 7lbs3oz which they said was fine. Now today she is 7 lbs1oz which the Ped said isn't horrible but means she isn't getting enough : I feel horrible and really hope I pump enough for her.

adoxyinherear · August 2012

Don't let the pediatrician get you down! Elinor lost 13 oz. by the time we got to our first appt. because she just wasn't nursing. I was pumping and giving her colostrum. Do what you need to do in the interim and know that you're doing everything you can!

WearingRed · August 2012

I am not telling you to go against your doc. But EBF baby take time to start gaining. And I just did the math she could lose up to 12 oz which is 10 percent of her birth weight if you see her weight in oz. And it can take up to 3 weeks after birth to get to back to her birth weight. I am just saying. Check out the post on the Oct 12 board called if you plan to Breastfed. It has a link you might find helpful.

charmedgrl517 · August 2012

Rusalkasings thank you : I wish BFing was easier :
Wearingred ok thank you, I will check it out.

charmedgrl517 · August 2012

TheresaYes if I can use pumped milk instead if formula. I'm going back Thursday to see how things are going. Thank you so much for your thoughts and experience :

VeilSdeGTO · August 2012

I had to supplement with formula for a few days because I just wasn't producing enough. Once I got my pumping down and she was feeding on a pretty consistent schedule, I was able to be EBF.

No matter what you choose to do, just remember that you are feeding your baby and doing the best for her. GL!

johnnys june · August 2012

I had to pump after each time DD ate. I would feed what I pumped via syringe. I only did that until she was back to birth weight. I second the "10% of birth weight.". Obviously is she continues to lose weight it's an issue but right now pumping that little bit extra could make a huge difference. *hugs* Congrats, btw. Totally missed your intro but so happy for you!!!

Karen1998 · August 2012

I just wanted to say don't lose heart. My pedi's daughter (who is also a pedi) had a "failure to thrive" baby. Her son wasn't birth weight by 3w and took a while after that to get back to birth weight. It was very stressful for her, but it worked out. He's a thriving two year old now. It happens to a lot of people, even pediatricians. Hang in there.

Scooby2358 · August 2012

Hang in there! PPs have great advice. I just wanted to add that it may be possible to add extra calories to pumped breastmilk - we did that with DD who was down to 5lb 2oz and wasn't gaining with my milk alone (we were EPing at that point). Our pediatrician had us add a little powdered Enfacare formula to my pumped milk to boost the calories for a while until she started gaining again and was strong enough to take in more calories in milk alone. I don't remember the exact amount; the pediatrician did some sort of calculation to come up with the amount of formula to add. The benefit was that she didn't take in any extra volume over what I was pumping, just extra calories, so my milk supply was better able to keep up.

Also, I second the advice about a hospital-grade pump. I started with an Avent pump and when I switched to a rented Medela Symphony the difference was huge.

In any case, please don't be discouraged, you're doing a great job!

charmedgrl517 · August 2012

Thanks ladies. I started pumping tonight and got about 1 oz from each breast. Not sure if that is good or bad at day 5. We are supplementing with formula like the Ped said but im afraid she isn't going to want my breastmilk anymore. Ive noticed she spits up alot but is more alert. She prett much slept while breast feeding. I really want this to work :

VeilSdeGTO · August 2012

charmedgrl517:
Thanks ladies. I started pumping tonight and got about 1 oz from each breast. Not sure if that is good or bad at day 5. We are supplementing with formula like the Ped said but im afraid she isn't going to want my breastmilk anymore. Ive noticed she spits up alot but is more alert. She prett much slept while breast feeding. I really want this to work :

This was not the case with us. She definitely still prefers BM over formula. We've been giving her both in various combinations lately.

karma79 · August 2012

Don't get discouraged. This happened with my LO also. We went in for weekly weigh ins and he got on track after 3 weeks. I was super hard on myself about it and there is no need to be. PP hormones don't help either. GL!

1st appt not what I expected...

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