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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Should I be worried?

29 replies

Faith48 · 03/09/2013 05:28

DS had his 13 day check up yesterday, he weighed 10lb 6oz at birth, in the first week he went down to 10lb 2oz and yesterday he weighed 10lb 4oz.

He is EBF but I am worried that this is not enough weight gain for him, I haven't been discharged as he is not back up to his birth weight yet.

Does this sound okay?

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 07:14

Its very normal for an ebf baby to take a while to get up to their birth weight. Is there anything else that would make you worried? How's the nappy count?

Original poster
Faith48 · 03/09/2013 08:33

He didn't do a poo all day yesterday, he usually does 1-2 a day and he has about 4 wet nappies a day.

I'm so worried that I'll have to stop breastfeeding as I couldn't breastfeed DC1 and I'm desperate to do it for as long as possible this time.

OP posts:
milktraylady · 03/09/2013 08:56

Why would you have to stop bf? It has more calories, nutrition, vitamins etc than formula. It is tailor made for your baby.

milktraylady · 03/09/2013 08:58

He is only 2 weeks old, some babies take a few weeks to regain birthweight. He is only 2 oz below, that's not much.

If you are feeding on demand and letting him finish the feed (ie not timing it) I don't see any reason why he won't be fine.

Have confidence in your body & your baby! Smile

Hawkmoth · 03/09/2013 09:00

That's hardly any weight loss, you're obviously doing brilliant! Took ages for all three of mine to regain their birth weights.

Mutley77 · 03/09/2013 09:14

Yes that's fine, DD took over 14 days to regain hers and my HV said with bigger babies for some reason it seems to take longer in her experience.

If you are worried just keep an eye on nappies and behaviour (ie if he is sleepy and difficult to wake for feeds that would be more of an issue).

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 09:58

Agree with the others. Nothing you have said suggests that there is a problem with bfing.

There's a bit about feeding on demand here and what to expect in the early weeks of bfing here.

From what you've said though you should be really proud. Your boby has mana GED to get him to a whopping birthweight and had hardly any weight loss after the birth. If you are worried just make sure you don't time feeds as mentioned above and offer both breasts at each feed.

If you think your baby needs more calories the best thing you can do if offer the breast more often Smile

Is there a local bfing group you could go to? Sometimes a cuppa and a chat is all you need to get your confidence back on track Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 09:59

Your baby has managed that should be. Bloody ipad.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 10:00

Should I start that sentence again Blush

Your body has managed to get him to a whopping birthweight and had harly any weight loss after the birth.

Spindelina · 03/09/2013 10:05

Sorry JJJ, but your last post made me laugh. (And, yes, I have scoured this post for the typo but not yet found it.)

OP - Good going!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 10:07

Think I should just give up on posting today and go back to the really exciting task of pairing socks Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 10:23

Faith keep posting and let us know how you are Smile

Original poster
Faith48 · 03/09/2013 20:50

It's not going well :( he isn't latching on and when he does he just cries and pulls away from my breast.

He has been doing this all day and he has not slept for more than 10 minutes and trying to feed every time he wakes up.

I'm so stressed :(

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 20:55

Ring the MWs please faith. Sounds like you need some real life help tonight. Have you got the number to call them on?

Has he been checked for tongue tie? Even if he has, it an be easily missed so, when you see the mw, its worth asking them to check again.

Let us know what they say when you've called Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/09/2013 21:29

Sorry my last post was a little on the bossy side. Its just that I'm not trained and think that if you are still under the care of the MWs, the Bfing Helplines might just suggest you call the MWs.

Hopefully a BFC like tiktok will be along soon...Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 04/09/2013 15:03

Is today any better?

milktraylady · 04/09/2013 19:11

Hi Faith how's it going?
Any better this afternoon?

milktraylady · 04/09/2013 19:15

I agree to check for tongue tie.
My dd was checked at birth and it wasn't evident. At week 12 very evident. So check yours now you are 2 weeks in. A bf trained person can check for you. Have you got in contact with NCT bf person? Or a MW bf specialist?

Hang in there, it's really tough in the first few weeks- learning a skill from scratch, emotional, physically drained from lack of sleep. Difficult to navigate the support that's out there. But it is there.

Original poster
Faith48 · 09/09/2013 04:05

He is feeding every half an hour and isn't sleeping during the day. He struggles to latch on as well now and I can be feeding for an hour, get a game out for me and DS1 to play and he starts screaming again.

He is getting weighed today and I fear that even though he has been feeding every half an hour that he will have lost weight because he doesn't sleep :(.

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 09/09/2013 07:25

It must be totally knackering for you Faith. Have the MWs discharged you yet? Has he been checked for tongue tie again?

It sounds like you need some really good RL support. Have you thought of hiring a Lactation Consultant? Is there a Bfing Group near to you? Could you give them a call? There is some more info on getting Bfing Support here. The helpline numbers are towards the bottom of the page.

Just to help you out until you see a BFC or Lactation Consultant, could you try breast compressions while you feed him? Have you tried expeessing and topping him up with that too?

If you do get him weighed today and you aren't happy with his weight, there is some info on increasing your baby's weight here.

Hope all goes well today Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 09/09/2013 14:32

Has Lo been weighed yet? How are you feeling Faith? Smile

AintNobodyGotTimeFurThat · 09/09/2013 15:33

I hope LO has been weighed and gained some weight.

Get them to give you a number of a breastfeeding support group or breastfeeding counsellor. I presume they have checked for tongue tie? This can make the latch a lot more harder and can be rectified if necessary.

Remember, your body is made to do this. Easier said than done but try and relax as LO will pick up on the tension. Just have a lot of skin to skin and act like you feel as confident as woman who has BFed 7 babies! You may begin to believe yourself :)

Original poster
Faith48 · 09/09/2013 18:20

Thank you so much for the support. DS has been weighed and he has put on 4oz so he now weighs 10lb 8oz!

The HV is coming tomorrow could she help me with my latch?

He is still feeding every half an hour and staying up for a few hours straight at night, he also doesn't sleep for more than 5/10 minutes during the day. Surely this isn't normal? I have no time for DS1 at the moment.

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 09/09/2013 20:49

4floz is great Smile

Your HV might be able to help you with your latch, but its a sad fact that most HVs don't have a clue about it. You'd be much better going to a Bfing Clinic or ringing one of the helplines. Have you got the numbers? Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 10/09/2013 14:11

How are things today? Smile

Have you seen your HV yet?

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