I EBF my DS (11 weeks), and his weight gain has been quite slow.
When he was born he was just under 25th percentile, had good weight gain at 3 and 4 weeks (14 and 11oz), but then it slowed down and he only gained 3.5oz per week over the next 2 weeks, which made him slip under 9th percentile. Since then he just followed his new curve, but today when he was weighted he dropped further just onto the 2nd percentile... He's still gaining weight, not losing, but just slower than expected.
I'm in 2 minds about this. On one hand, he seems happy, alert and active baby, he doesn't seem hungry, gives lots of smiles and gurgles. He already can push himself up on his arms when on tummy, can "stand" when held up, started grabbing toys... So he is developing fine. He doesn't look skinny, but I wouldn't call him chubby either.
On the other hand I feel like I'm not doing well enough every time I see that curve flattening... HVs are not concerned and said as long as he's gaining weight all is ok... He's still wearing newborn size clothes!
I've been to bfing group today and a very supportive and knowledgeable HV there suggested I offer him both breasts every feed (he used to take just one and only recently occasionally started going for 2nd) and make sure he gets 8-10 feeds in 24h.
I feel like I'm doing everything I can - I always feed him when he is hungry or I think he might be, let him feed as long as he wants (unless he falls asleep and is just comfort sucking), but somehow it just isn't enough...
Also - I know this is silly, but - he is not very good sleeper and I've heard once babies reach 12 lbs or so they tend to sleep better. I know this is not necessarily true, and even if they can doesn't mean they will, but I'm just really tired waking up every 1-2-3 hours, and it's this bit that doesn't quite let me enjoy motherhood as much as I would like to...
Not sure what I'm looking for - reassurance and similar experiences?..
Thanks for reading!
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Infant feeding
Slow weight gain
6 replies
CuteLittleToes · 06/02/2014 19:17
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