Help! Baby E Hasn't Gained Any Weight in 2 Weeks :(

mythaldo · February 2014

DH and my mom have been trying to keep my spirits up, but I am pretty much a wreck right now. E had her 2-week appointment yesterday (she was born early, her EDD is today) and I was shocked to learn that she hasn't gained a single ounce since her appointment at 3 days old (which we had because she lost weight at the hospital).

She was born 1/29 at 6lbs. 8 oz. and she weighed 5 lbs. 15 oz. yesterday

. Our pediatrician was a bit stumped since she's been making 5-6 wet diapers and 3-5 poops each day; she even peed and pooped while we were at the office, and the pediatrician said everything else looked normal. She scheduled us to come back in in one week; in the mean time, I'm supposed to pump 0.5-1 ounces between EVERY FEEDING to give her after each BFing session.

I came home and immediately tried pumping yesterday and got only a few drops from both sides after a full cycle on the automatic pump. I switched to the manual pump after that and it worked a little better, but I had to switch sides constantly and my hands have started wearing out with each feeding. I can get an ounce if I do it before BF her again, but trying it after BFing I barely get more than a few drops.

I have been in tears off and on for the last 20 hours now. I feel like I'm holding and feeding my daughter less because I'm having to spend so much time pumping (takes me about 45 minutes with the hand pump on both sides to get a measly half ounce), not to mention wracked with guilt that she hasn't been getting enough. The only explanation the ped had was that either I have a supply problem (bc I've been feeding her every 2 hours with one 4-5 hour break at night), or she has a latch problem that's contributing to the supply problem.

I'm going to try the automatic pump again right now; I'm hoping pumping will get better, but my nipples are absolutely killing me and I just feel empty. Anyone else out there with a similar experience? Advice? Words of encouragement? I'll take anything!

dunvilles · February 2014

I would make an appointment with an lactation consultant immediately. Drink tons of water, eat enough protein and oats, and let your daughter comfort such after you feed her. It will help stimulate your milk production. Also do skin to skin time with her. Your baby is more efficient than any pump. It is good that she hasn't lost weight. Hugs!

mythaldo · February 2014

Thanks so far ladies. I know pumping really sucks at first, but I'm glad I'm not the only one whose had to deal with this.

I should note that I met with both lactation consultants at our hospital before I was discharged. One said everything I was doing and baby's latch looked great, and the other seemed so rushed to get out that I'm not sure she really even offered an opinion; she just said keep at it. Do you think I should set up appointments with the same consultants or should I look elsewhere?

The pediatrician also recommended we cut her off at 30 minutes (specifically 20 minutes on one side and then 10 more minutes on the other side) and make sure she eats every 3 hours at night (she said I don't need to pump each time at night "if I'm suffering too much"). I have been eating granola each morning, but I'm switching back to plain oatmeal to see if that helps. I'm thinking about sending DH to find fenugreek and a double pumping bra for me soon, but we live in the boonies, so I may have to order online.

TessyMessy · February 2014

First off (hugs) It can be frustrating when your BF experience is not going as expected. Don't be so hard on yourself, it sounds like you are doing a great job! Try to nurse as much as possible (every other hour), this will help build your supply and hopefully LO's appetite will follow.
I also recommend you seek the help of an LC. Not only can an LC help you with your latch but they can do weighted feedings with you so you know exactly how much milk is being transferred to LO-- this can be very reassuring! The LC can also help address any supply issues you are having. Call your insurance company and see if they cover LC visits. I was very surprised that mine covered them at 100%!
My LO was gaining very slowly in the first two weeks but then we hit the 3 week growth spurt and he would cluster feed and want to nurse constantly! He wound up gaining 7 ounces in about 5 days!
Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask for help from an LC, your pedi, or friend/family member you trust. I also found the BF board very helpful, many of those ladies have great advice!

emm57 · February 2014

I agree with everything PPs said. We struggled with this for DS1 and now seem to be with DS2 due to his jaundice.

This is what I did and am now doing. When I had to pump for DS1 I took video and a ton of pics on my phone and looked/watched those when I wasn't able to be around my LO. I also did skin to skin before I BFed, skin to skin when feeding, and would then pump after. The skin to skin really helped with my milk supply. I also let him do a lot of comfort sucking and fed him every 1.5-2hours during the day and no longer than 3 hours a night. Also as hard as it is, the less stressed you are when nursing/pumping the better the milk flow.

Hoping it gets better for you and baby E soon!

MamaAllison · February 2014

First off, hugs. I went through a similar situation with my first. It is really, really hard so you need to recognize how strong you are being to continue on. I would add that even if you are not getting a lot while pumping it is still cueing your body to produce more, do eventually, probably in another few days, it will help. Also, don't be afraid to supplement with a little formula until the pump is more effective for you. I felt like a failure when I had to give DD1 some formula, but there was really no good reason to feel that way. As PPs mentioned working with as LC and doing a weighted feed might be a good starting place to see how much you should supplement. Oh, and sorry about the comment your doc made, I'm sure that stung.

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JoCountry · February 2014

Hang in there! I've been on a very similar journey, and it is really really hard.

PP all had good advice, so I won't repeat. But here's my addition. Do not discount the toll this will take on you. Make sure you have a really good support team. I was sleeping in a few 1.5 hr pieces and every feeding and pumping was stressful. I also had so much guilt. I could never have done this without DH. I waited too long before I started talking to my parents and friends about our struggles. I have never cried so much in my life.

Don't feel bad about about formula, or whatever else you end up doing to feed baby. I had to read over and over "happy baby, happy momma", and I'm still struggling with the guilt.

After a month busting my ass on 3 hour feedings, pumping, supplementing,and more Dr visits then I could imagine, we finally decided I produced lots of milk. It's just not nutritious enough. My little guy has eaten like a champ, but gained 1 lbs in a month. Birth weight 5, 4, and then on a couple days shy of his 1 month bday, 6 lbs, 5. We are now doing a combo of BM and formula, and he is already taking off.

I'd do it all again, but it was a hard journey. I wish you the very best of luck. And this board is awesome. It helped me to know I wasn't alone in this and it seems like the weight gain struggles aren't talked about that much in RL.

sdlaura · February 2014

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. The only thing I wanted to add is that you should just make your own pumping bra rather than wait to order one. Just take any bra you already have and cut two holes over the nipples to line up with the pump parts.

Soap1 · February 2014

I just posted something similar a day or two ago - at two weeks DS3 had only gained 2 oz from his discharge weight and was still 7 oz shy of birth weight. My doctor was not too worried yet but did want me to come in for a weight check at 3 weeks.

Stay hydrated, keep nursing, do what you can. Is your baby a spitter? DS3 has been very spitty and that's probably contributing.

CarissaA · February 2014

We are going through the same thing. Our ped had us do some formula and A gained some weight. I hated having to do formula, but the dr the next step was send her to the hospital for failure to thrive.

I went to a la Leche league meeting yesterday and they were so helpful, are there any in your area? They said if I pumped a bunch it would bring my supply back up.

Heiditylerg · February 2014

Schedule with lactation consultant. See if you can add neo sure to breast milk in a bottle. It will increase the calories. I did tge for my premie. He was 7 weeks early and has gained 4 pounds since. Good luck

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