BF baby not gaining weight and tandem feeding questions

[WantAnOrange]

I am currently breast feeding DD1 (2.4) and DD2 (15 days).

Newborn was 7lb3oz born, lost a little, gained well then weight gain slowed. She was weighed on Monday, 7lb1oz which HV wasn't happy about, so she came back today and she weighs exactly the same apparently.

The advice I have been given is to give each DD one boob each, then to offer baby the second side after they have both finished, and to express after each feed to increase supply. HV wants me to use the expressed milk to top her up as well. This doesn't make sense to me at all. Seems very complicated. I am not prepared to introduce bottles and know that is bad advice.

I am concerned that HV is assuming the lack of weight gain is due to tandem feeding because it is unusual to her (she said herself she doesn't have any experience of it) and therefore is looking to 'fix' the wrong thing. I am concerned that DD2 is being weighed too often and it's causing more concern than needed (I thought it was recommended that they are weighed no more than once a week?) HV is coming back Monday!

DD is otherwise alert, waking for feeds, having wet and dirty nappies. She sounds very congested and snuffly and has bad wind. She has projectile vomited a few times. So, I took her to GP this morning and he said she is in great health, listened to her chest etc, no concerns. Agreed she is congested so we have saline drops to unblock her nose. That is all.

In terms of supply, I am very full and uncomfortable at night but fine in the day. Have never had concerns about supply while feeding DD1 (for over 2 years).

Has the HV given me good advice? My instinct is to feed them both on demand and relax but I feel like I am failing them both. My toddler is finding it really hard sharing me and my newborn isn't gaining weight. I am totally confused about the logistics of it all.

Congratulations on your DD2!

I am not an expert, so am mainly bumping for you. Have I understood correctly - your DD is still (again?) below birthweight, and hasn't gained in the last four days? I think this is unusual, so to me it makes sense that the HV is keeping a close eye. However I can understand why you are concerned if the HV appears to be blaming the tandem feeding. As I understand there are, if anything, advantages to tandem feeding if the baby is feeding less than optimally, as the toddler maintains supply and even, if both feeding at once, can trigger letdown for the baby too.

How do you think DD2 is feeding? And how often? Is there room to squeeze some extra feeds in?

I agree we need to keep an eye on her weight but don't think the tandem feeding or supply are responsible. I am quite concerned about how sick she is. It is large quantities and becoming more frequent but the HV wasn't interested or concerned by this.

DD2 feeds every 2-3 hours. Her latch doesn't feel very strong but the amount she pukes up shows me that plenty is going in! It's not uncomfortable in any way. I feed on demand and don't keep track to much but will write down times over the weekend so I can show how frequently she is feeding and spot any gaps. I don't think she feeds often enough in the early hours. Last night she feed at around 10pm then 3:30am, then I woke her at 6:30. So, I will set alarm and feed every 2 hours tonight.

Can understand the concern. Agree tandem is a red herring. Dd2 really isn't feeding often enough. She needs to feed at shorter intervals. Try switch nursing with her. Hope things resolve.

Have fed her every two hours this morning. Switch feeding is what I would have advised (I'm a peer supporter) but HV advised only one side because she was concerned DD wasn't feeding long enough to get hindmilk (I thought this was a myth?)

I am concerned she has reflux. Symptoms include projectile vomiting, hiccups a lot, poor weight gain, excessive congestion. Seems more logical explanation.

HV needs re-educating.

Feeding one sided reduces the volume of milk going into the baby. Volume of milk important.

I agree. I think she is assuming that toddler is feeding on other side every time but my two year doesn't feed every two hours!

Hello. Just wanted to update and thank you for advice. DD2 was weighed today and is now 7lb 7oz, so according to HV, she gained nothing for 5 days then gained 6oz over the weekend. I'm not convinced her scales were quite right on Friday! But this means she has gained well, even if you look over the week as a whole (I believe 6oz a week is average gain) so I am feeling much more confident and know I was feeding her right after all. Will continue to feed her on demand and offer both sides as I was.

HV is coming back in Friday to check 'one more time' then hopefully I will be free of the obsessive weighing!

:)