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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Only 3oz per week, top up?

12 replies

Softlysoftly · 08/07/2012 22:48

Ok my 2nd thread of the night!

Was worrying about dd2 being unsatisfied as she feeds from c. 5pm to 5 am (other thread) refusing to lay down and wondered if it was comfort or if shes not getting enough.

Anyway been browsing kellymom etc and they say weight gain should be 6-8oz per week, 4oz minimum. DD was static and has gained 3oz for the last 2 weeks, I was ok with this but now realise its too low and that's why HV is still doing home visits at 6 wks when this never happened with Dd1 (ff) HV came twice that was it. HV hasn't said that's why she wants weekly visits but that must be why right?

Is 3oz too low??

OP posts:

MigGril · 09/07/2012 06:44

Sorry my phone just deleted my post.
Have you had anyone watch a whole feed from start to finish? Are you having pain free feeds? I think it would be worth having some one check your latch. Either ask to see the infant feeding coordinator at your local hospital or ring one of the helplines. NCT, LLL or the BfN.

Is there a reason why they are weighing so often. Once a healthy baby has reached birth weight the recommendation is to only weigh once every for Weeks.

blushingmare · 09/07/2012 07:05

I think rather than the amount of weight they gain, it's the curve they follow on the weight chart in the red book that HV are concerned with. He should be following the curve for his percentile. ie if he's on the 25th centile he should follow the smooth line of the 25th centile curve. I think!

Original poster

Softlysoftly · 09/07/2012 08:37

Thanks I did go to a bf group where the lady changed my position but it's been hard to replicate at home think I will go again.

HV hasn't said why she is still coming and weighing weekly it felt like a lot but now I realise she must be concerned.

DD2 is on the 9th percentile and last 2 weeks has been tracking that so does that mean its ok even if it is only 3oz?

OP posts:

blushingmare · 09/07/2012 08:55

Softly don't take my word for it as I'm totally new to this too, but yes my understanding is once they've returned to birthweight asking as they're tracking on their curve then it's ok. Obviously there must be more concern if they're on the 0.5 centile as opposed to the 50th so maybe with your LO being on the 9th is why they're doing extra monitoring? But hey, someone has to be on the 9th don't they and we're not all the same size! As I say, I'm really no expert, but I think HV focus a lot on weights etc, whereas as a mummy you can see if your baby is alert, healthy looking etc and go more on that for how he's rather than just weights?

TeaandHobnobs · 09/07/2012 09:03

DS is now on the 9th centile, and had several weeks of 3oz gain. The neonatal nurses weighing him said that bf babies can be slower to put on weight initially, but will soon ramp up quickly.

How old is DD2 now? Are you happy with the number of wet and dirty nappies? If so, I can't see why she needs weighing weekly - it is unnecessary stress. DS was 8 weeks prem and therefore WAS weighed weekly, but the nurses went to great lengths to explain that you couldn't expect vast weight gains every week, and sometimes they might stay static. And now he has reached term, the consultant said no need to be weighed any more often than 2 - 3 weeks.

If she's tracking her centile, I can't see cause for concern? Like blushingmare says, someone has to be on the 9th centile!

What was DD2's birth weight out of interest?

MigGril · 09/07/2012 09:51

if baby is tracking the 9th centile. Then I'd asking why the weekly weigh inns? unless there is some other health concern they don't normally worry unless baby drops more then two centile's.

Its just causing you stress.

Original poster

Softlysoftly · 09/07/2012 12:40

She was born at term (39 weeks) 7lb 3oz my milk was late and she dropped to 6lb 8oz, didn't poo and was jaundice.

She's 5weeks now, 7lb 11oz, not jaundice good wet nappies and generally properly poos twice a day, with tiny bits in between.

I am happy that she's alert and changing and growing but do worry she's hungry as she clusters for hours though not sure
If its hunger or that she hates the Moses!

I think I'll call la leche and ask to see someone and ask HV why the focus. Thanks all.

OP posts:

Original poster

Softlysoftly · 09/07/2012 12:42

6 weeks sorry god time flies when you are sleep deprived! Due her weekly weigh on Thursday was 7lb11 last Tuesday.

OP posts:

Original poster

Softlysoftly · 09/07/2012 12:43

Oh and I reckon she'll not do well this week as she has my older dd's stinking cold and cough virus which isn't helping her feeding :(

OP posts:

MumOfTheMoos · 09/07/2012 21:41

If she's 6 weeks and cluster feeding could that not be growth spurt?

Original poster

Softlysoftly · 09/07/2012 22:02

Maybe but it's been the same ever since she was born, only had 1 night when she didn't feed this way.

OP posts:

blushingmare · 09/07/2012 23:04

My dd has followed a similar pattern, just started with a higher birthweight Softly. She was born at 8lb6oz, dropped to 7lb6oz and at 4 weeks is now back up to birthweight again. She has cluster fed like crazy from the day we came home from hospital - I think that's pretty common at this age from what I've heard. My midwife discharged us once she was back to birthweight but the health visitor has told me to bring her to baby clinic once a week for weighing for the next month. I think they are just very focused on weight. It freaked me out quite a bit and it's easy to become obsessive about the weight, but I had some good advice on here and now go far more on simply how healthy and happy she seems to me. Good luck!

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