WWYD - supplement question/worries

smilingeyes2308 · October 2013

Hello, So a quick back story, my DD us 6 weeks old. Since birth she has been gaining weight somewhat slowly. It took her 13 days to gain back her birth weight, my ped wanted 10. So we kept going back every few days or every week to check her gain, the last 2 times we went (last time was 2 weeks ago) she gained 20-23 grams per day, which the pedi was very happy with this so she said to come back in 2 weeks, which was today. Sadly, she only gained 12 grams a day instead if the expected 20. I was pretty upset when she said we could supplement wit ready made formula after every feeding, 1oz each time. She said we didn't HAVE to but we could if we wanted to get her weight up faster. BF has been good since birth however I'm thinking maybe my supply may be low? Her latch is great, not sure what else it would be as to why she's gaining slowly. Question is, what would you do? Supplement with formula or try other remedies first? I'm going to try nursing differently, switching sides often during each feed as she gets sleepy easily and is hard to keep awake sometimes. I have an appt with an LC next week so she can watch my DD eat and see if possibly I am doing something wrong and get her advice. I want my daughter to be health and gain properly but really don't want to use formula without trying to in increase supply first, etc. I can't help but feel like I'm failing in some way. My pedi said some babies just gain slower than others but was very quick to tell me to use formula.. I just don't want to use it unless it's a must. WWYD or any experiences with something similar would be great. Edit: on mobile sorry for any spelling errors and the congested paragraph.

crenteri · October 2013

I supplement. My baby doesn't get full with breast milk. If she stays hungry ten I think it a good idea.

Tally879 · October 2013

We supplemented at first due to poor latch. We're now completely on breast milk with breastfeeding. I would supplement with formula till u go see the LC. Formula isn't going to hurt your baby and by 6 weeks introducing a bottle shouldn't hurt latch much. My guy although he bottle fed almost exclusively for the first 2 weeks does much better on the breast than bottle. We try to give him a few bottles of pumped a day since he'll be doing bottles soon when I'm back to work

VitaLuna · October 2013

Eh, my opinion may be different, but I don't see any reason to supplement unless pedi thinks it's a must, which it doesn't sound like it is. I'd wait until you see the LC and see what your options are.

And don't feel like a failure! Like your pedi said, some babies are just slow gainers.

ETA: my ped and LC look for baby to regain birth weight by 2 weeks and to gain 1/2-1oz per day.. So going by that, you're pretty close to on track.

awright1983 · October 2013

I wouldn't switch sides frequently. I would try to stay on one breast as long as possible to get hindmilk into her. Use breast compressions to help flow. Burping often can help keep baby awake. Make sure the LC is IBCLC certified and make sure you do a weighed feeding to see if she's transferring we'll. Also the breast feeding board on here has good advice, especially from @AmyG*

renee6465 · October 2013

VitaLuna said:
Eh, my opinion may be different, but I don't see any reason to supplement unless pedi thinks it's a must, which it doesn't sound like it is. I'd wait until you see the LC and see what your options are.

And don't feel like a failure! Like your pedi said, some babies are just slow gainers.

ETA: my ped and LC look for baby to regain birth weight by 2 weeks and to gain 1/2-1oz per day.. So going by that, you're pretty close to on track.

Exactly this. Baby's gaining, maybe not an obnoxious amount at a time but he's gaining. Id see what your LC says they're usually very helpful and go from there! It could be a simple fix you never know. Keep up the good work!

renee6465 · October 2013

VitaLuna said:
Eh, my opinion may be different, but I don't see any reason to supplement unless pedi thinks it's a must, which it doesn't sound like it is. I'd wait until you see the LC and see what your options are.

And don't feel like a failure! Like your pedi said, some babies are just slow gainers.

ETA: my ped and LC look for baby to regain birth weight by 2 weeks and to gain 1/2-1oz per day.. So going by that, you're pretty close to on track.

Exactly this. Baby's gaining, maybe not an obnoxious amount at a time but he's gaining. Id see what your LC says they're usually very helpful and go from there! It could be a simple fix you never know. Keep up the good work!

myglow · October 2013

Have you tried pumping and supplementing with that instead? Even if to help stimulate more production.

ammiddleton3 · October 2013

I also wouldn't start supplementing until meeting with an LC. Babies grown at different rates, and to put a specific amount on them is just setting you up to fail. It took just shy of 3 weeks for LO to get back to birth weight and the pedi wasn't concerned. Head over to the breastfeeding board as they can give you a wealth of information! If baby is having plenty of wet and dirty diapers you are more than likely producing plenty! Just nurse on demand and don't be alarmed if they go through times of nursing constantly, they are just upping your supply. Good luck mama, you got this!