BF and slow weight gain

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

My dd is 16 weeks and was 10lb at birth
I had horrible/ upsetting advice from midwife in the first week due to dd dropping to just over 9lb.
However having gained great support and advice on here, I refused to go back to hospital on a ff feeding plan, and refused to sit and express and cup feed ( due to two other little ones with issues!
I carried on with bf and she seems happy and alert and lots of wet nappies, only one or two dirty nappies a week
I havnt been to any weigh in clinics.

Student health visitor came out and did the 4 month assessment yesterday and dd only weighs 11lb 12oz
HV didn't seem that worried, but wanted to check with her supervisor.
Rings later to suggest I offer more feeds
I'm
Confused/ worried
How much should she have gained by now?
It seems very little
I really really don't want to ff
I've been trying ebm on the odd chance I get to express
Bit she refuses a bottle. My step mum has also tried to feed her from a bottle but its not happening.

My sister bought me a bottle of formula on the first week as a 'just in case'
It's been tormenting me since her weigh in and I cracked and opened it today, however I'm quote relieved to say she refused it .
At the same time I don't want to keep bf if she needs more.
Any advice greatly received.
Also I'm not into weaning early but family keep saying
Oh she's hungry poor thing
Give her some solids
I exclusively bf my other dd and ds and followed baby led weaning which was my intention this time.
Are their exceptional circumstance where they would need solids early?
She has been very fussy at the breast last two days
Pulling and tugging on the nipple, so I switch sides at this point.

If you're worried, get a referral to a paediatrician.

I had a similar story, big baby (nearly 10lbs), in hospital force fed formula for weight loss, with 2-3oz tops ups and weekly weigh in with hv. Went to exclusive bf at two months, after two months had significant pressure from hv to ff again. Weight gain did not change. Saw a paed who was very happy with the slow gains and baby's progress. Stopped bothering with hv and tore a strip off the last one who suggested ff or early weaning. Felt much happier.

Four months is a tricky age, I remember thinking "where's my happy boy gone". If you are happy with pees, poos and development, then maybe just battle on. I think hv's are quite tied to the graphs and have to cover their backs and the easiest way to do that is ff. poss get your latch checked and refer on to a specialist for reassurance?

Just checked my book and mine was 12.13 at 16 weeks for comparison.

By the way, ff is a perfectly acceptable choice if you make the decision it's best for your baby

If she needs more milk, you already have it - in your breasts, and ready to be made in response to her needs. There is little point in giving formula when the breastmilk is easily increased by more frequent feeding, also swapping sides frequently which also increases the volume taken.

This is what the HV advised - what is stopping you doing it?:)

Thank you for your response. I don't know why I feel more worried this time as I've been here twice before!
Think it's just a niggle at the back it mind.
HV called back and said I need to make an appointment with gp to get her checked over, and they will call again to review/ weigh in two weeks.
My ds was 10lb 2oz and they had me refer him to paediatrician ( although his weight gain wasn't as slow as this) who just said some babies are born big and naturally just find their own growth rate.
I appreciate the box ticking they have to do, but have no 'real' advice support for bf.

Tiktok thank you for your advice ( again)
I appreciate the offer more feeds, but she appears to feed well and tugs pulls on nipple when done, which I then offer other side, sometimes he takes it some times she doesn't. Goes quite sometime between feeds on some days, more frequently on others.
I've tried offering more in between but she is either not interested ( which I presume is full) or just suckles and definitely is t swallowing.
So I don't see how a top up of either ebm or ff would help if she seems full and content already!
Or am I missing something?

I asked why you didn't offer more bf, but were seriously considering formula, to the point of opening the pack and trying her with it :)

She is almost certainly fine, but if the HCPs say she needs more milk, then you know what you can do....just offer the breast. If she really doesn't want it then she doesn't need it.

Ah I see what you mean.. Because the hv that came made me feel that my milk supply/quality wasn't sufficient and suggested that ff would benefit her more/ improve weight gain.
Hinted at weaning but not earlier than 17 weeks
Just wanted opinions/advice that basically my gut instinct to continue just bf is the right choice.
Not sure if in explained myself very well

HV not doing her job well, in that case, OP :(

Quality of breastmilk is never a problem. Shame she affected your confidence.