Expressing for better weight gain (long)

[NauseousKitty]

My seven week old DD is gaining weight but slowly, only 4oz per week for the last two weeks. This followed a week of no weight gain. We went to the dr as she had a cold and he advised that I supplement with formula as she ad dropped two centiles. I haven't done this as the BF councillor i saw later that day said I didn't need to and that my DD was fine and not malnourished.

Now my HV is gently suggesting that I start expressing as weight gain isn't fast enough. I am confused and, after the mammoth feeding session this evening, really conflicted.

In addition, DD had an undiagnosed tongue tie, but this was snipped over 10 days ago so I was expecting better gain this week. Her latch isnt always perfect as she learned lazy feeding habits due to tongue. But overall, she is alert, bright and rarely cries.

Basically, I would value your opinions on maybe expressing rather than ff. At least I would be able to see how much she was taking. I feel like a massive failure not being able to feed her properly but ultimately, i just want what's best for her.

As I understand it if she's pooing enough, weeing enough, perfectly alert and hitting developmental milestones it's not something to be concerned about. If you want to top up feed, express extra BM if you can. This is how I topped up my DS when he wasn't gaining weight as he should - never used formula. BM has more calories than formula and it won't fill her up as much so she can take more in, but if the pooing/weeing/alert boxes are ticked I wouldn't fret. I'd also take the advice of a BF councillor over a GP or HV any day. You are not a failure and I think there is far too much emphasis placed on weight gain by health professionals when other things are far more important.

Oh, and expressing will also help up your supply, starting formula feeds will do the opposite which won't help her at all. The snip of the tongue tie may not necessarily lead to instant weight gain initially either - all to do with efficiency of milk transfer which I'm sure somebody else can explain far better than I. (Anyone?)

Kitty, get some good info from someone you trust in real life.

Expressing to give by bottle is diifcult to sustain long term and knowing how much the baby is taking is of no help in most situations....what good does it do? Your baby might need more, or less, than she is getting.

If your baby needs more milk, she can get it direct from your breasts - feeding more often, using at least both breasts each session, is usually sufficient for this to happen :)

Sometimes, if babies need more milk urgently, formula is the answer, but this does not seem the case with you.