Breastfed baby keeps dropping centiles :-(

[Ivy7550]

Hi All, posted a thread a wee while back chronicling my breastfeeding nightmare - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/2872156-Breastfeeding-misery

Anyway, somehow I'm still going! However, still using shields and he gets a couple of bottles in the evenings (sometimes EBM, sometimes formula) to give my poor sore boobs a break! Found out the root of most of our problems is my LBs recessed chin - have been seeing chiropractor got this which I think is starting to help a little!

Went to get him weighed this morning and he has only put on 4oz this week, and has now dropped under the 25th centile (started between 75th & 91st) - so they are starting to get worried and talking about introducing more formula. I'm confused as I feed him every 3 hours as they told me to, and he always seems full and has plenty of wet and dirty nappies, he's also pretty bright and alert and doesn't look skinny, I don't think?! The HV told me I need to quit the shields and bottles cold turkey, which made me burst into tears as without them I would have given up long ago as the pain is too bad!

Has anyone had any experience with their babies dropping centiles like this? I'm feeling so miserable as I'm in pain (even with the shields!) and at least if he was thriving it would be worth it, but kinda feel like I'm failing him and hope I'm not being selfish forging on with breastfeeding when it's maybe not working for us

Any advice v much appreciated!

[CottonSock]

Mine both did until they were on solids, otherwise healthy but puked up a lot of milk.

[lilydaisyrose]

You might not agree with this - but what would you think if you didn't know his weight? Is he happy, healthy and meeting all development milestones? My LG is 16w and has dropped centiles and now hovers between 2nd and 9th. But I just go to self weigh so don't have anyone else's opinion to worry about (you don't have to get your baby weighed at a clinic) and I know she fine and just small and neat and petite so have no intention of topping up. She's fine. I don't understand the keenness to recommend topping up if they don't meet somw arbitrary target.

[CottonSock]

I was going to say same. Got my second baby weighed much less. Stress reduced immensely

[Ivy7550]

This is a very good point - I'm usually pretty positive until he gets weighed! Then I just stand there willing the numbers on the scale to go up (makes a change ) and am always so disappointed and frustrated after! Whenever my family or friends see him they notice he is growing so he's obviously not wasting away, and he's pretty long (75th percentile for length) so maybe he's just meant to be tall and slim?! All this talk of "feeding plans" is making me very sad, makes me feel like they think I starve my baby!

[Heirhelp]

Have you contacted LLL?

[Ivy7550]

Have been seeing an NCT breastfeeding counsellor and various NHS feeding specialists & support groups, but not LLL yet - there aren't any groups or LLL people in my area (am in remote north of Scotland), but I did consider trying their helpline, is it worth a try?

[lilydaisyrose]

Ivy, he sounds absolutely fine. Trust your body and him! I'm on my third baby now so am really relaxed, but please remember babies don't know about the charts so often don't exactly follow them.

He does sound like he's thriving and happy. Trust your body & your baby. I'd hate to see you introduce more formula when you don't need to. I'd keep using the shields too if they are working for you.

Where in remote north Scotland are you? I used to live in Aberdeenshire & am now S/E of Edinburgh.

[lilydaisyrose]

My LG is 16w tomorrow. she was born at 7lbs 3oz and is now around 11lbs, maybe just over. So she's little but just perfect. Still I know she's fine as she's smiling and laughing, sitting with support, starting to play with toys, standing up with support and loads more. She's just gone into size 3 nappies and into 3-6 month clothes this week - mainly due to length, so I know she is growing and happy.

[Ivy7550]

Yeah it's very frustrating everything else seems to be going well except his blinking weight, I'm getting obsessed over that stupid graph! My husbands family are all lean and quite tall (lucky things!) so maybe he's just going to take after them?

Been trying today without shields today and it's just so sore, he's like a barracuda! HV also wants me to pump after every feed then give it to him after next feed, all a bit overwhelming!

[amysmummy12345]

I'd feed on demand rather than going three hours between feeds, it'll not only boost your supply but will give him extra calories. If you do end up giving him formula just think of the amazing start he has had with your milk!!