Slow to Gain? (long)

vettymama · April 2014

My DS2 was born April 6 at 8lbs 12 oz. At his 5 day check up he was 8 lbs 6oz. Doctor wasn't worried and said bring him in in a month for a well check. I took him to get weighed yesterday, so he was just over 2 weeks. He was only 8 lbs 6.5 oz. I'm EBF and have not pumped or offered a bottle. I thought I was doing so well because he was eating every 2 hours during the day and 3-4 hours at night. He naps well and has wakeful periods multiple times a day. Most of the time he seems content after eating with only being a fussy a handful of times so far. He's currently had 7 wet diapers and 4 dirty diapers in the last 24 hours. He rarely falls below those numbers.

The OB nurse told me to wake him every 2 hours to eat and pump after every feeding to increase my supply. I didn't think my supply was low because he gained 1.5 oz at a weighed feeding. ( I know that's not a great indication however). If he doesn't gain by tomorrow she wants me to start supplementing.

What do you think? Should I be freaking out like I am or is this just how EBF are and they need a little more time to gain? Thanks!

vettymama · April 2014

Thanks @Sing2phins. We don't have a pedi in our small town and the instructions that the nurse told me were from the family practioner. Any suggestions on what to do when he only eats on one side at night for 10 minutes?

mamasoup030 · April 2014

A trick my LC taught me for when LO fell asleep while feeding was to gently but firmly squeeze my breast, she would fall asleep as the flow slowed down and that would stimulate her to wake up and keep eating. Good luck!!

vettymama · April 2014

@theresat858 He only started falling asleep last night when I went in to wake and feed every 2 hours. When he woke on his own he didn't fall asleep.

Since we never did a weighed feeding I figured only one time is not a good indication of his actual milk transfer, that's why I thought they weren't accurate. I will ask about renting a scale, that would make me feel much better rather than giving the bottle every feeding. We did need to use a nipple shield for the first week or so and now every once on a while when he won't latch.

Kriztyn · April 2014

I am having this same situation! I JUST called a LC and they told me to pump both breast after each feeding.. and to give the expressed milk to my LO and to continue to feed every 2 hours. If I am not pumping at least an oz... then to add formula to the breast milk and feed it to her at the next feeding. Hoping this will increase my milk supply

vettymama · April 2014

Good luck @Kriztyn! I hope it helps me too! Im just having a hard time pumping and keeping my 17 month old happy.

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Slow to Gain? (long)

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