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8 week old not gaining weight

MegsB1112MegsB1112 member
in Breastfeeding
In two weeks my DD went from 8 pounds 8.3 ounces to 8 pounds 8.2 ounces. My doctor wants me to strictly bottle feed until her appt on Thursday to see how much she's eating. I'm afraid if I do this DD won't go back to the breast. I'm having a hard enough time nursing her now. She hardly eats from me anymore - will eat from me for a couple minutes then cries for a bottle (we had to supplement so she got a bottle early on). I'm afraid that this is going to be the end of breastfeeding and it makes me so sad. Any advice/suggestions?
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Re: 8 week old not gaining weight

  • MeganG216MeganG216 member
    I had to do that, but just for 24 hours. I would still offer Breast after she finished a bottle and in between scheduled feedings so that she could still nurse a little and for comfort. That way she was still getting plenty of milk from the bottles and wouldn't forget Breast. Have you seen a lactation consultant? Maybe a latch issue?
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  • corndogrobotcorndogrobot member
    This doesn't seem like a significant weight loss. (8 pounds and 8.3oz to 8pounds 8.2 oz??) For your dr to push the bottle so quickly.
    They were not concerned until my baby lost 10-12% of birth weight. (She started at 7 lb 8 oz and fell to 6lb 5oz.) and loosing weight the first 2 weeks is pretty normal. I woke her to feed her every 3 hours and now 11 days old she's back to birth weight.
    Defiantly consult a lactation consultant. (Check out la Leche league in your area. They usually have people that will come to your house to help) best of luck to you. And keep offering the breast.
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  • Frogger5Frogger5 member
    corndogrobot said:

    This doesn't seem like a significant weight loss. (8 pounds and 8.3oz to 8pounds 8.2 oz??) For your dr to push the bottle so quickly.
    They were not concerned until my baby lost 10-12% of birth weight. (She started at 7 lb 8 oz and fell to 6lb 5oz.) and loosing weight the first 2 weeks is pretty normal. I woke her to feed her every 3 hours and now 11 days old she's back to birth weight.
    Defiantly consult a lactation consultant. (Check out la Leche league in your area. They usually have people that will come to your house to help) best of luck to you. And keep offering the breast.

    So this is an 8 week old, not a few days old newborn, and she hasn't gained any weight over two weeks. I'd be concerned, and obviously the doctor is, so there's that.

    OP, my LO is gaining weight fine, but has latch issues and also really seems to prefer the bottle. I also feel sad that we might not be successful with breastfeeding. I'd try what the PP suggested - offer the breast after the bottle - if her doc is OK with that. Obviously that would make it impossible to know exactly how much she ate. Good luck, and I hope it works out well for you and your LO!
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