not feeding well

[JeniN]

dd when weighed after a week had lost nearly 10% of birth weight, and now she's lost more. The midwife advised topping up each feed with 60 mls of formula, and if she doesn't put on weight might need to go back to hospital. I'm so worried about her. The thing is, I seem to be producing loads of milk, and she seems to feed really well (often feeding up to 35 mins on one breast and then up to 25 mins on the second at one sitting, and feeding every three hours or so. The mw says she might just be not feeding very efficiently. We do have to wake her in the night for feeds (apart from early on, when she's fractious and wanting to feed constantly). After the mw's visit this morning we topped her up with some expressed milk i'd frozen, and since then she hasn't wanted to feed even the normal amount, as if she's really not hungry. Feel really confused about what's going wrong?

[wobblymum]

What about if you try giving one or two feeds of EBM only ie, no time at the breast. Then if she takes the recommended amount, you'll at least know she's got the appetite for it. Problem with a top-up is she mught be full already and you can't tell. Then if she takes the normal amount you can try her on the breast for the next feed and/or see what the mw suggests. If she doesn't take enough EBM, then you'll at least know exactly what she's had, and be able to discuss that with the mw.

AFAIK, you should still keep expressing because then if she isn't taking enough at the moment, you'll keep your supply up for when she does want it and have EBM available if you need it.

[KMS]

this may inspire you weight loss read from beining and mears at july 18th . Is your baby alert? wet nappies? Dirty nappies? Try not to stress. May need a Bf suporter to help make sure feeding position is most efficient. try Bfn 0870 900 8787 or nct or la leche as M/w's h/v's may not be best people to help. HTH

[JeniN]

Thanks - that thread really useful. DD is now feeding (mixed) pretty much two hourly, is more alert and much more interesting and wet nappies, so I think (hope) things are turning around. i am expressing as much as poss and fortunately also had some in the freezer already so have been able to make use of that. It does seem quick to weigh her again tomorrow, and as it will be a different midwife I'm worried about any discrepancy in the scales...but we'll have to see how it goes.