Boosting supply

[Sully80]

My 12 week old bf baby is not gaining weight satisfactorily. I feed him about every three hours and he usually comes off crying, it seems that he's not had enough. We go from side to side until he gives up.
He doesn't seem to be hungry between feeds, he doesn't cry to be fed.
Has anyone got any tips for boosting my supply? I never feel like my breast is full, I know this is fairly normal at this stage, but I just feel like I don't have enough milk. This isn't second time round, so feel like I should know what I'm doing, but I'm struggling now.
If he doesn't start gaining weight, my hv (who I generally trust and have a good relationship with) wants me to give him top up formula feeds and start baby rice at 17 weeks

In what way is his weight gain not satisfactory? What line was he on and where is he now? Is this the first "unsatisfactory" weight in or one of a number that shows a pattern?

Can you offer more often? Every 2 hours in the day perhaps?

He started between the 9th and 25th, went up to the 50th then has steadily slipped back down to below the 9th. In some ways I wonder if the move up to the 50th was a growth spurt and now he's back to normal.

Feeding more often could work, I'll give it a try.

Thanks for replying

I'm not an expert but I've been here long enough to know what kind of info the experts need to help you

I'm a big fan of "watch the baby, not the scales" - he's otherwise well but fussy at the breast? How about feeding and feeding and feeding for 2-3 weeks and then re-weighing. Extra bf would have the same effect as formula to pups, without potential tidally jeopardising bf.

I don't think you need to be thinking about baby rice at 17 weeks, and actually wonder if that's the kind of advice you ought to complain about.

He does seem fine, not a brilliant sleeper, but developing well. I'll try feeding him up to throw hv off the scent!

I don't see a problem with your baby's weight and growth. You need to ask your Hv why she is concerned. His weight pattern is on the normal spectrum.

If he needs to gain for some reason it is a poor idea to give early solids. The most physiological thing to do would be to offer more breastfeeding.

I wonder how supportive and knowledgable your Hv is about normal infant growth and breastfeeding.

Seek a second opinion.

I think from my hv's point of view, he has dropped two centiles, and I think they are supposed to refer you to a doctor if that happens. My gp told me to ignore the chart for a bf baby. I might make an appointment with her and see what she thinks.

The pattern of gain is within normal. The gradual slip back to the birth centile is normal. There may be local protocols indicating doctor's check. There will be none indicating a need for formula and baby rice, I wouldn't have thought.

Hope you get good help soon.