BF regaining birth weight?

[softlysoftly]

DD3 is 2 weeks old and EBF she hasn't yet regained her birthweight (was 7lbs 14 weighed 7lbs 5 yesterday).

Should I be concerned? MWs seem reluctant to sign us off as it should be regained by now.

She is having plenty of wet and dirty nappies but does tend to chew rather than latch and suck so starting feeds takes a while and they don't last long.

You may have already thought of this, but have you had her checked for tongue tie? Even if she's not tongue tied, then a visit to the local breastfeeding drop in may help with the latch issues...

You say she has lots of wet and dirty nappies - how many of each per day? Please only count poos that are as big as a £2 coin.

What help have you had with getting her to feed more effectively?

A bf group, or a call to one of the bf helplines, might be a good idea.

DD was EBF and took three weeks to regain her birthweight. It was more worrying because she only weighed 5lb 11 when she was born and her weight plummeted to 5lb 2. Once she started gaining she put on a steady 7 oz a week.

It's good the midwife is still in contact with you. She is bound to be concerned as this is an unusual situation.

Is she gaining weight now, however slowly, or is she losing it?

Is your baby feeding often, and both sides? What have been the suggestions so far for tackling the delay in weight gain?

Hope you can get this sorted soon.

"She is bound to be concerned as this is an unusual situation."

It was my understanding that this isn't that unusual. Breast fed babies don't always start gaining weight straight away.

It's highly unusual - really very concerning. Where have you read that a bf baby still 9 ounces under birthweight at age 2 weeks is nothing to worry about? :(

All babies, breastfed and formula fed, are likely to lose weight initially - fluid loss, meconium loss, means it is considered normal to have a drop of up to 10 per cent within the first four days. Thereafter, they start to gain - they recoup that initial loss, and get up to birthweight and beyond, obv, as they grow.

It's not uncommon for this process to be a bit slow, especially in a baby who may be taking a while to get feeding going. You'd keep an eye on the baby during this time, ensuring that feeding was on the right track, and that in the case of a bf baby, milk was being transferred effectively and often enough. If this wasn't the case you'd take action to improve it. Some babies who gain v. slowly are fine, but their progress needs checking to make sure of this.

Really puzzled, bunbaker, why you would think softly's baby's weight is normal.

My baby lost over 12 percent, and he was severely jaundiced so hospitalised at 9 days.

I believe that my milk didn't come in properly till about day 7, after MW had shown me how to latch him on properly.

I also beleive that despite him weighing less on the 9th day, he had actually already reached his lowes weight (maybe 13 percent) and was on his way back up again.

It took a good 3 and a half weeks for him to reach birthweigh, but i'm so glad that I had those midwife visits. His bilirubin levels were dangerously high- close to needing a blood transfusion! Dread to think what could have happened if it weren't for the NHS.

So, what I'm trying to say is that it's a good thing to be getting the extra midwife visits. So much better to err on the side of caution. Can't hurt to get a second opinion. BF support will do a home visit. If you have anuy particular questions, or points to discuss, write a list- these visits can be very overwhelming.

Good luck, keep us updated if you can.

That sounds like excellent care, Whatsmyage.

My baby lost 9% and didn't get back to birthweight until he was nearly 5weeks when I started formula top ups and he gained the best part of a lb in 4 days. Once he weighed that little bit more feeding really fell into place for us and gets easier and easier all the time now

Keep persevering and accept all the support offered, it was invaluable to me. Good luck, you are doing great :)

Ok bit more worried now!

Hi Tiktok by the way! I remember your invaluable help from DD2 who was the polar opposite and screamed for a feed every 45 minutes!

I'm going to check my notes again to check my figures are right.

Basically in neonatal (we were in for a week) the feeding nurse noticed the chewing and checked her for tongue tie but said she was fine and I just had to stop her getting away with it and be quick/patient waiting forher to open wide for a good latch. Want worried as she was coater feeding like mad for the full week in there and on discharge they were happy she was gaining weight.

Once home she really settled (think she's avoiding her noisy sisters) and started sleeping. She can go the full 4 hours before feeding and today I've had to wake her just now for a feed and she's trying to sleep again.

First MW check she had lost weigh but MW said she couldn't have lost that much and her scales would be different to hospitals. 2nf check she had pretty much stayed static. The HV on Monday (again new scales) said she had gained weight.

Her nappies seem wet on each change and pooo regularly though small and explosive.

I'm worried she can sleep this long between feeds? Am used to boob monsters!

supposed to be going away tomorrow (UK still) but worried I should get her weighed sooner than a 10 - 14 day gap. Would an out of area MW/HV see her do you think?

Many many typos there sorry!

4 hours between feeds sounds far too long especially as she isn't gaining. I'd be feeding at least every 2 hours.

Your concerns are valid. Good idea to get things checked tomorrow. Makes me cross to hear hcps may be using scales they can't rely on. What is the point if weighing, then?

The long sleeps are something to report to hcps.

Ok Thank you I'll go in tomorrow to HV dropin before we leave. She also mentioned tiny fontanelle (sp) which is now worrying me. Though she was checked daily by paeds who never mentioned it.

I knew 4 hors felt like a long time but all you get off people is "don't complain she's a settled baby".

Thing is I try to feed more frequently/longer but that's when she chews and won't latch properly as she's just not hungry.