Should I be concerned about weight gain?

[kittiker]

I'm probably just seeking reassurance about my PFB but my DS is 8 weeks + 6 today and weighs 10 lbs 15. He's EBF. He was 8lbs 12 at birth (at 41 wks + 3), dropped to 8lbs at 10 days and took 3 wks to get back to birth weight. Since his 6 wk check, he has dropped to the 9th percentile (but this is now in line with his length.) HV not esp concerned as he has plenty dirty / wet nappies and is alert / content etc, but we're going back next week - mostly for my benefit, I think!

She did however say he should double his birth weight by 5 months and I just don't see how this'll be possible. Is there something I could / should be doing? Or is it just FTM anxiety?

If he has plenty of dirty and wet applies and generally content then you shouldn't worry since there's not much you can do anyway.

Don't worry my lo was BF for the first 3/4 weeks I then for my own reasons changed to formula but lo was 7lb 8 at birth and at 9 months is only 17lb. My 5 months she was only 13lb so not double birth weight. Every baby will grow at their own pace. As long as they are happy, content and health will consistent weight gai .

I just feel so miserable about it. Breastfeeding was a real challenge early on, but I persevered and I thought it was starting to go well and I'd started to relax about feeding, now this.

I just don't know what I'm doing wrong - I've had support from everyone, latch checked etc, and everything looks fine. I've been feeding him on demand (8ish times a day)- should I try to push him to feed more often? I've noticed that he's been fussy at the breast the past couple of weeks, pulling off frequently, but there doesn't seem to be a pattern to this - I wonder though if this means he's not getting enough milk? He's started posseting after feeds since his immunisations last week, too - don't know if that means something. Or could it be because he's using a dummy sometimes when he's settling to sleep? Argh! I'm driving myself crazy!

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do want to keep breastfeeding but I don't want my son to starve!

He probably just needs to fall into his line. Ds was born at the 50th then dropped to the 9th and followed this until he was weaned. Your instincts were probably right to relax - if he is mostly happy and content, I would try not to worry and go back every week or two just for reassurance.

2lb in 5 weeks sounds like a completely normal weight gain to me. Does your baby have alert periods, happy, smiles, lots of wet nappies? Ihought it ?as double birth weight (roughly) by 6 months.

Go straight to your doctor to discuss. In situations where I am worried like that I want a medical opinion. pushing your baby to feed in my experience doesn't really work. My 9 week old is also moving a lot on the breast, he is making funny noises - I really just think he has woken up a lot compared to before. Are you burping him enough? Sometimes I give my baby a slight break in the feed, burp and then put him back on the breast. posseting is quite normal at this stage too, try not to worry about that. I find that when the baby is so young, a lot changes from week to week. if you are super worried I would introduce one bottle of formula a day and see if it makes any difference. Go and see your doctor today though, it is not good for you to worry and it may help you relax.

I also was told double by 6 months, not 5.

step away from the scales.

Is he alert, weeing and pooing regularly, and growing (either wider or longer or new hair)? Does he look healthy? Is he learning to do new things and interacting with you more and more each week? These are much better indicators of health than some arbitrary birth weight comparison.

Babies do get fussier as they get older. There is more to see and feeding can be a bit boring, esp if the milk is a bit slow (for totally normal reasons). Also the hot weather could mean that he wants to snack a bit more to sate his thirst rather than having longer feeds. or he could be super efficient by now and get all he needs in record speed. Who knows!

If your HV is happy, and your baby is putting on weight and seems happy, then be reassured. If he was hungry, you would know about it. If you feed on demand, then it's highly likely that he is getting enough milk. Your supply will start to regulate over the next few weeks, and you will notice that you don't get so engorged etc. Lots of people worry that this equals a drop in supply - it doesn't.

It sounds like things are going well, but that you are feeling really anxious. I've been there - I was entirely like this; I thought every change was a catastrophe and that my son was definitely starving - he wasn't, he didn't (search for my posts from about 18m ago - I was in super-fret mode). As others have said, babies change a LOT over this time, and we just have to go with it.

Go and get him weighed next week if you want, but don't get fixated on weekly weight gains. Monthly checks are sufficient if your HV is happy with how things are going.

If you still feel anxious (and who doesn't?), then maybe go to a breastfeeding cafe? They don't only exist to deal with 'issues', but also are a really good resource of people who understand your worries, and can offer a listening ear, and maybe a bit of cake.

have you had him checked for tongue tie, and by whom? It's worth ruling out.

I don't agree with the advice to go and see your doctor today - GPs don't usually know much either about baby weight gain or BFing (unless there's some glaringly obvious problem, which it doesn't sound like there is). Health visitor a slightly better bet but I would see a lactation consultant - are there any that run BFing clinics near you? I think they would be much the best people to advise.

Thank you everyone for the great advice and reassurance. I'm going to work on just chilling the hell out. Yesterday, I just fed on demand as I had been doing previously, letting him tell me when he was finished and guess what? Far less fussiness and possetting. I've obviously been foie grassing the little chap! I'll get him weighed next week because HV asked me to but I'll try to stop getting hung up on the chart too much. Fratercula, I'll ask HV again about tt as GP was all at sea when I asked him about it.

It's so easy to make feeding the focus of 'mum' anxiety but you've all really helped, so thanks again.