to wean at 2.5 months?

[BigFatHeffalump]

my doctor is very concerned about ds's weight. They have tried pushing me to give formula as a supplement but this affects my supply every bottle I give (seriously).He is in the 9th centile and VERY long so looks really scrawny. He was 9 pounds at birth but I feel that is because I grow large babies (dd was 9.7) he was also 16 days over due- but he very much takes after my husband who is also long and scrawny.

I feel I grew a big baby but that it's his nature to be slim so he is falling on the charts. But his doctor is making me nervous and I feel like I could be put on some kind of register if I don't make an effort to fatten him up. So would I be very unreasonable to start weaning him now or in a few weeks time?

I don't want to switch him to formula because he enjoys breast feeding and doesn't do well on formula. I was thinking of adding avocado for the fat content to his diet?

He is FAR too young to be weaned yet.

Gut permeability doesn't occur until at least 16 weeks. Way too early now.

He is far too young and I seriously hope this is a wind-up.

Yabu, you don't want to top up with formula but think it would be ok to give him food

This is going to turn into one of those bf/ff threads isn't it

His little system just isn't ready yet.

Weight is not actually the best indicator of a baby's health and development, especially when it causes women to think they should be weaning as a means of them putting weight on.

Yabu

I'm all for bf, but if your baby is severely underweight then you need to either get bf help or supplement/switch to formula.

Nothing else will give him the calories he needs so well as milk or formula. Really, it won't, and no one will tell you any different at this young age.

Try the kellymom website for bf help.

Why don't you listen to your doctor?
What makes you think that weaning him is a good idea if he formula doesn't suit him?
TBH I can't believe your asking.

Try posting on bf post page thingy - you might get more helpful tips as you seem committed to bf. As a mum to boy with food intolerances I would be wary of weaning before 6 months.

More milk would be the best thing for him right now. Can you try offering extra feeds? Even dream feeds while he's sleeping? The extra sucking will also help to increase your supply. Weaning onto solids is not a good idea at this age and wouldn't give him what he needs anyway.

Far far far too young. Don't do it and don't listen to any old wives tales that tell you different!

Are you new OP? I only ask because AIBU can be a bit of a minefield and you might get a flaming for your (reasonable, if you aren't aware of the risks of weaning this young) question.

I think you would definitely get more constructive replies in the breastfeeding topic, including advice on how to increase his milk intake other than supplementing with formula, and how to minimise the effect on your supply if you do have to supplement.

Weaning is a real no-no at this age as it carries many risks. You have other options, don't panic! :)

It would adversely affect his gut and immune system.

Get the latch checked, and make sure milk is being transferred effectively, then try switch nursing to improve supply, and top up with expressed milk. Much better.

I dont think you should look to wean it could cause more problems and your doctor would still be concerned. I understand though that youll probably do anything. Have you spoken to your H/V or have you asked your doctor what could be the issue? Im sorry I know very very little about breastfeeding but when my twins were born three months ago the hospital gave one DS formula immediately because of low blood sugars. Im glad now that I ended up bottle feeding but at the time I felt that they could have at least advised me on why they didnt think 'breast was best' or encourage me to continue.

If this isn't a joke (which for once I kind of hope it is), please don't do this. Early weaning (as in early, but should be ok) is any time from 17 weeks. Any earlier could (not saying will, but could) cause serious health issues later in life.

It sounds like what you actually need is real life support for breastfeeding - preferably exclusively since that is your preference. But if not adding formula in a way that does not affect your supply. Are you doing all the normal things - offering frequently, offering multiple sides, etc?

I wouldn't give him actual food, he's too little

But I wouldn't have any qualms about switching to formula if bf isn't working out for you. I never breastfed at all, even for 2.5 months. Not a problem.

Why exactly is your doctor concerned? For his first six months DS was 9th centile for weight and 91st for length, and nobody seemed concerned at all. It's just his build.

you could ask for a referral to a pedicitrican and take their opinion, plus post on the feeding board or get this thread moved

aibu will just tell you what a unfit mother you are, regardless of what you write

Post on the breastfeeding topic. Unless my baby was ill, I wouldn't necessarily take the advice of a gp when it comes to breastfeeding and babies that don't stick to charts.

You could contact a breastfeeding councilor who could give you good advice.
Has he been checked for a tongue tie or latch issues?

He sounds far too young to wean.

YABU, why would food be better than formula? I'm a big fan of bf when it works for mother and child, but if it isn't working out then formula is a perfectly adequate substitute. Have you spoken to any bf specialists to see if there is anything you can do to improve your supply? Don't give your 2.5mo food, he isn't ready.

Why not do what the doctor says rather than act on a whim?

Or have you studied human bodies for 8 years +?

I just don't get this trend of utterly ignoring medical advice.

UYes, what's wrong with being 9th centile?
What exactly is your docot concerned about, and what does he/she recommend?
If you're not happy with what's recommended, ask to be referred or another opinion.
Other than weight, how is breastfeeding going, and how is he developing?

Sorry, but I refuse to believe your doctor actually suggested weaning a 2.5 month old baby!

Could you contact the NCT breastfeeding helpline and/or other organisations, such as La Leche League for advice?Is your baby otherwise developing normally, apart from failing to gain enough weight?

It sounds to me as if you've become (understandably) confused and upset and you have misinterpreted what the doctor was saying. Please work with him/her, as both of you only have your baby's best interests at heart.

Is he actually gaining weight albeit slowly? Is he meeting his development milestones? Do you get plenty of wet nappies? Is he happy and content? I would be using the answers to those questions to gauge his health more than the charts.

YABU to consider solids this early although I appreciate you're concerned.