3 Month old EBF baby not gaining weight

[notonacokebottle]

Ds2, 13 weeks, was weighed today after a gap of several weeks, in which time his weight has more or less plateaued. Having started on the 75th percentile he is now on the 25th. He had tongue tie which was operated on when he was 6 weeks old, but So feel his latch is still peculiar, especially on one side. No doubt this is the root of the problem. Trouble is I've been to the BF clinic and followed their advice re position, pinching the boob to get a good latch, breast compression etc,.but it seems none of it has helped much. Clinic are now suggesting I try mixed feeding, which I am loath to do, not least because on the occasions I've tried he has refused to take a bottle. Has anyone else experienced similar problems, and did you find any solutions that worked - without introducing formula?

Forgot to mention he cries all the time too, especially in the evenings....obviously a poor hungry boy...

Also that I breast fed ds1 fine for 7 months, no problems at all.

How often does he feed during he day? Does he feed overnight?

Are you able to express and give that as a top up rather than formula?

Tongue tie can apparently re-attach so it might be worth checking that out again.

Could you ask MNHQ to move this to the breast & bottle section? You'll get more replies there

I'm not trained but it does sound like tongue tie could be an issue here. At the very least its worth getting him checked, preferably by a lactation consultant who specialises in tt.

Some other things to consider are, was he weighed on the same scales, by the same person? Were the scales calibrated?

Have a read of [[
kellymom.com/health/growth/weight-gain_increase/ How might I increase my baby's weight gain?]] on Kellymom.

As for topping up? Did they say why they are suggesting you use formula? Normally the best way if increasing his calories is to fit in extra feeds, if that isn't having enough effect you could try some ebm in a cup or bottle and only if that doesn't work do they usual it suggest formula.

We tried extra feeds and fenugreek tablets I think, which did help. I was asked to combination feed and it was something I was concerned about.

We did it in the end, continued doing as many EBF sessions as possible and then did some 'top ups' was actually in bits physically and emotionally so having DH do midnight feeds with a bottle actually really helped me appreciate my baby rather than it being a big fight and me hating myself and him.

People have used milk replacements for 100s probably 1000s years and baby will still get your breast milk from the feeds you do. At the time I hated it, but in hindsight was probably a good choice.

How are you getting on now coke?

Thanks everyone. We're trying extra feeds at night and pumping after feeds to get the supply up. Still no success in getting him to take the bottle though! He's due to be weighed next Wednesday so we'll see then if it has made any difference....

Oh, I did have the tongue tie looked at and it hasn't grown back or anything!

How much is he putting on per week? My DD dropped from the 75 th to the 25 th and consistently put on 3 oz a week. Once she hit the 25 th she stayed on it, as 3 oz a week was enough to keep her on the 25 th. Once she was established on solids she started heading up the centiles again. She was ebf and a bottle refuser, I had nothing against giving her formula top ups but she just wouldn't have it! Still a bottle refuser at 10 months, drinks water from a sippy cup but won't touch milk!

@notonacokebottle I know this is a while ago but I’m in a similar position to you with my second baby and top ups aren’t an option as he refuses the bottle. I’m just hoping that EBF can sustain him until he can start on calorie dense solids when he hits 6 months. He’s currently 3 months. Did his weight gain eventually improve? X

Hello! Yes I think it did, though I did start solids at just under 5 months rather than 6 like they say. Actually what happened was that I went abroad for 9 months and stopped weighing him, ergo less worry. He's eight now, a big strong boy, lol.