A friend (online) has been 'advised' to top-up with formula - her DD is 12 days old......

[fannyannie]

and has lost nearly 1lb in 12 weeks.....isn't adding formula now going to mess up her milk supply???

Any advise for her would be much appreciated.....

How much does the baby weigh? Seems like a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut - she needs to babymoon to boost her supply.

baby was 8lb 8.5oz at birth now weighs 7lb 9oz..

Right.... and when was the weight lost? Suddenly or gradually. Has she seen lactation consultants, does she feel she has enough milk?

Birth - 8lb 8.5oz
day 6 - 7lb 13oz
day 8 - 7lb 11.5oz
day 12 - 7lb 9oz

(from her own post on other forum).

It's common to lose 10% in the first week but it does sound like there is a problem. Has she requested a paediatric referral to check if there is a physical problem? Also she should call la leche league for advice - they are really helpful and non-judgemental IME

any other symptoms apart from the weight loss?

I mean is her dd sleepy / not weeing or pooing much / feeding incessantly / not feeding at all / fighting the breast etc etc?

Has she had her latch checked by someone with their head screwed on (ie prob not MW or HV)?

Has she rung NCT / LLL / ABM?

no - she says she's discussed it with both her HV and MW who (and I quote from her) "have been "really" supportive".........

I've posted to advise her that it could affect her milk supply and to contact NCT/LLL/ABM before 'topping-up'.......hope she does...

It's not supportive to tell a stressed mum who is committed to breastfeeding to supplement with formula! At least before other problems are ruled out. Tell her to DEMAND a paeds consult. HV/MWs are not qualified to diagnosise digestive or physical problems in neonates! Also, it may be something as simple as a poor latch!

fannyannie - this may be a serious situation, and one which needs attention if the weights are right (and I say 'if'). What else is happening with the baby? What about poos and wees? How many times is she feeding? All sorts of questions have to be answered before anyone can say the baby needs formula or definitely doesn't need it....the mother does deffo need someone who knows what to look for to watch her feed and to listen to what's going on. And today, not tomorrow....

FannyAnnie - I was hoping Tiktok would turn up, she knows what she is talking about and is very smart on this stuff. Please tell your friend not to wait. I know it's hard to question medical opinion but her baby is at risk if she doesn't seek help.

fannieannie, please get her to talk through everything that has happened/is happening with a breastfeeding counsellor. sometimes a simple solution like fixing the latch, feeding more often etc could fix the problem. if all of these things are already being done, then query whether there might be a medical problem (hope not). anyway please get her to contact someone from any of:

La Leche League 0845 120 2918

National Childbirth Trust 0870 444 8708

Breastfeeding Network 0870 900 8787

giving formula early can definitely jeopardise milk supply and giving a bottle can potentially lead to nipple confusion and rejection of the breast. it would be a pity to end up in one of these situations, if there is another way to approach the weight issue.

hope all goes well.

xx