Newborn weight loss - reassurance required

[NEmum]

LO is 14 days old, slightly prem & had treatment for jaundice. He lost 12% of his birth weight at day 5 & has since lost/gained a couple of oz every other day, this has gone up and down.

I'm following a feeding plan as i am breastfeeding so have supplemented with expressed and formula. LO seems to have increased his feeding recently but is now really reluctant to take the extra top ups...

Midwife is back tomorrow to weigh him again and I'm so anxious for that he's lost weight again...I'm also anxious as I'm exhausted & know that tonight he will most likely stay awake pretty much all night...

Has anyone had a similar experience? When did your LO pick up with their weight/what did you do?

[Growingbeanno2]

Oh bless you. Not specific experience to you but DS lost 11% at day 5 and then was slow to gain.

I'd say sir with a good book or program, snacks, lots to drink and keep him latched all night. If he's reluctant to take the top ups just keep feeding from source and double boob and go back to first boob at the end of the feed to get 'gold top'.

Is he a sleepy feeder? Can you feed laying on your side?

It will get better and things will get easier, it's just a tight time in the beginning.

[NEmum]

Thank you for replying x
Currently have him latched on in that position so will see how this suits him. He fed quite constantly last night which was good, but I kept dosing off so felt guilty about that...fingers crossed he starts to gain.
Thank you again for replying xxx

[Growingbeanno2]

Hi, how has it gone today? Good weight gain?? You can only do what you can do.

I'm sure he's going to plump out soon!!

Hope it's all going ok

[NEmum]

A gain of 40g! So in the right direction. Plus he had some long sleepy feeds through the night so thinking that might have helped too!

Feel much better about it & less anxious today, next weigh in is on Saturday so hoping it continues everything is crossed X

[stillwantrachelshair]

Can you have a day where you both spend the day naked in bed getting lots of skin to skin? Stock up with loads of food & water & the iPad and just doze, feed, eat.

[AppleMagic]

The initial slightly larger than average weight loss could have been caused because your baby was drowsy from jaundice. Now that's been treated you should find weight gain increases. My ds was a bit premature and whilst in the hospital they weighed him daily. I could see that he only started gaining weight well once his bilirubin levels were down.

[Growingbeanno2]

Yeay, great news. He needs to be latched on lots to increase and settle supply. Every bfibg mum stressed at the beginning about weight gain but the body needs baby's guidance and hormone signals. Long lazy feeds, skin too skin and encouragement to have long feeds will make all the difference. And now you're on longer intervals of weighting you'll feel more relaxed.
Focus on couple of days feeding and feeding and feeding. Sleep, eat, poo repeat!

Good luck. Keep us updated.