newborn weight loss at 12%...anyone been admitted

[muddylettuce]

So on day 3 I was told my baby had lost too much of his birth weight. 12%. We narrowly avoided being admitted to hospital and we're put on a feeding plan which specified 3 1/2 hourly breast feeds with top ups of expressed breast milk or formula. Now, day 5, baby has put enough weight on so that weight loss is 8% but we're not off the hook, he'll be weighed again on day 7 because I didn't top up. I don't want to use formula (my daughter has cmpa, there is a higher chance he will too and I don't have alternative formula until I can see the GP) and frankly it was difficult enough feeding him from the breast let alone a bottle. Plus he cluster fed all the first night of our plan- hourly- so there was no way I could express or feed him more. Anyway, that's the background. I wondered if anyone had been admitted to hospital for this reason and what happens? I will continue to breast feed on demand but if he doesn't continue to increase 'we will be straight into hospital' midwife's words.

My first child got admitted after losing 15% he seemed well in all other ways and hospital decided I wasnt producing enough milk and had to feed 2 hourly to increase milk production. He did start to gain weight. Once home Mw still weren't happy as he wasn't on "the line" and I was persuaded to top up with formula. Ds1 took 6 weeks to get back to birth weight. I've since had 2 other children, both took longer than the 2 weeks to get back to birth weight, but I declined the advice to top up with formula, as had read it can prevent boobs making more milk. I found expressing in the morning to top up in evening helpful. I really regret letting myself feel during the first few weeks with DS1.

I have fed on demand today as we've been busy and after the traumatic night I am a bit disillusioned with the 'plan'. Frequency has ranged from hourly to the biggest gap of 3 hours when he napped. We are getting pooey and wet nappies. He is generally a sleepy newborn but when awake is alert. I have no concerns about him health wise. He has been feeding a lot longer in general as well. I guess we will find out tomorrow how this attitude pays off. I absolutely refuse to wake him tonight on the alarm. He really did not like it. I will perhaps set alarm for 4 hours just in case he doesn't wake up but I am sure he will if he's hungry. Its sad that so many have been in the same position and felt pressured by the midwives/hospital etc. It's counter productive in my opinion putting stress on mother's because the numbers don't add up when in the next breath they are quick to tell you stress inhibits milk production.

I would suggest that you feed him at least 10-12 times in a 24 hour period. You mention he feeds well with good sucks for 10 minutes and then falls asleep. You could try breast compressions to wake him up. Jack Newman has a video on YouTube which shows how to do this.
The other thing to consider is what kind of birth did you have. Mums who have a drip quite often have babies who have quite a lot of weight loss. The extra fluid going into mum also affects the babies so they suffer extra fluid loss ie weight loss.

Today is day 7. He was weighed and has gained 75g since Saturday. They don't appear concerned anymore. At least today's midwife wasn't but I think she just wanted to go home! I'm feeding on demand which today means every two hours for about an hour! No stripping needed to get him interested which makes a pleasant change. All looking positive anyway. X

Oh and I set an alarm through the night for 4 hours but he woke before it each time.