Breastfeeding & Baby's Weight Gain

[GeorginaA]

Midwife just left. Ds2 has lost quite a bit of weight from birth - I know this is fairly normal, but it's got me terrified of the whole weighing rigmarole again.

He was born at 3.335kg and today (7 days later) he's at 2.990kg. His older brother did much the same (although he was heavier to start with) but didn't regain his birth weight until a just over 3 weeks old. In the meantime, the amount of weighings in by the midwives and pressure to "top him up" with formula was almost overwhelming and having to go through all that again is terrifying me.

I didn't think it'd be this way with no. 2. Unlike no. 1 he's been alert and feeding well right from the word go. Plenty of wees, only one poo a day though. Had slight jaundice and that is fading well, so I'm fairly certain he's getting enough. Expressed 2.5 oz of milk from my boobs this morning so I'm certain that there's plenty available for him.

Next weigh-in booked for Friday. Feel like I ought to be "feeding myself up" or something - did this last time which resulted in the weight gain but made me feel like I was constantly force-feeding myself. Harder to do when you don't want your toddler snacking on high calorie foods as well.

This has really got me very upset - I know it's silly, and it's still early days, but they can't force me to supplement can they?!!

Thanks hd - in that thread though it mentioned after 4-5 weeks old it was fairly normal. Ds is only 9 days old

I think it's fairly normal from the word go, isn't it? Does anyone else know?

I've decided that it's all a conspiracy ... he won't go until half an hour before the midwife is due and then will poo all his weight gain away

Lack of pooing in a newborn needs investigating - it's fine in a healthy, thriving baby after anything from about four to five weeks. Before then, it could be a sign milk is not transferring well or often enough....'could be', I say, not 'must be'.

It has nothing at all to do with your own diet, Georgina.

I would expect him to start pooing a lot now the feediing seems to be going better.

Another update. My normal midwife came today - ds put on 2oz since last weigh in. He still hasn't pooed but she took a look at him and said he's perfectly alert and happy, his jaundice is almost all gone, she's satisfied that he's doing well and has signed us off. Apparently, she's known babies of around his age go 9 days without pooing and be fine! Argh... god I hope not. I've been warned about poo explosions...

She was very reassuring and coped admirably with me being a bit weepy at her. See Health Visitor on Monday... just hope she's as laid back!

Thanks for all your support/experience/advice, particularly you tiktok for taking the time to write such detailed advice.

You're welcome Your midwife sounds sensible - lack of pooing is not really significant in a baby who is gaining weight and doing everything else right, but it does need to be checked. It's never a sign on its own that there is anything wrong.

I do think you will have an explosion though

Think you're probably right! He's been all squirmy and farty this afternoon... gulp

[covers all available surfaces with plastic sheeting]

When my friend's baby did this and when the poo eventually came, the explosion was usch that the baby's vest had to be cut off with a pair of scissors...

Not very funny at the time but she's had plenty of mileage about it ever since!

The poo has arrived! A fair amount but no explosion... dark yellow. I am ridiculously excited... must remember not to tell any childless friends that a dirty nappy made my day...

On explosions - my dd managed some projectile poo this morning as I was changing her! It shot down the changing mat and beyond... (note to self: put dd higher up mat from now on)

jaffacat, how did the weighing go today?