BF baby - is this weight gain ok?

[fhdl34]

Had first visit from Health visitor today. DD is 12 days old today, birth weight of 3.992kg, 3.82kg at day 5 (4.3% loss, midwife said that was fine) and today she weighed 3.98kg. HV said it was ok but with a frown. She said they expect a gain of 1oz per day so 7oz in a week and DD has gained 5 oz. She said not to get hung up about it, she's coming back next week to weigh her again as she's not back to her birth weight yet - half an ounce off! Just wondered how this compares with what other people's babys have done at same point?

Shame your HV has upset you....there is nothing I can see from what you say here that is in the least worrying.
Differences of half an ounce? Ludicrous to worry about that. In any case, the 'standard' baby regains birthweight at about 10-14 days - likely your baby will be standard :)

Weight is only one part of the picture. If your baby is pooing (2-3 soft yellow poos each day) and weeing several times, if she is eager to feed and feeds frequently, and feeding is pain and fuss free - there is highly unlikely to be anything wrong :)

She may be following some sort of local protocol to record when a baby reaches birthweight. In any case, if there is any concern, just feed more often, both breasts at least each time. Did she not suggest that? She preferred to frown and worry you instead.....grrrrrr.

I never offer both breasts mainly because every time she detachs, i offer her same Boob again as she can come off at anytime be it because my milk isn't fast enough or she just sort of comes up for air lol. She's doing plenty of dirty and wet nappies, 3 pooey ones in the last 3hrs lol. It perplexes me that they measure the acceptable weight loss in the first 5 days by % of birth weight but subsequent weight gain is blanketed to 1oz per day irrespective of birth weight. Why can't they compare on the same criteria? She's feeding really well and my gut feeling is that all is well with her, me and the BFing, i just know it'll be on my mind now for the next week :(

No one except your HV and other people who don't know what they're talking about uses the 'one ounce a day' thing....:)

You're absolutely right - this is not the way to do it.

The rate of weight gain is assessed with centile charts, once the baby has regained her birthweight . And the charts have to be interpreted, and understood, and set in context, not treated as holy writ.

Hope you get a better health visitor.