Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Not enough weight gain :(

19 replies

BlueBobs · 04/10/2021 21:12

DD is nearly 3mths old and I’ve been EBF, she was gaining around 6ozs a week but this has dropped to 4.5oz. She seems content, has enough wet and soiled nappies but do I need to start topping up with formula 😢?
I had issues from the start with my first baby and topped him up with one bottle of formula a day from week 1, but had such guilt that I didn’t EBF. I really wanted to do 6mths EBF this time and feel like a failure. I’m wondering whether to try making sure she’s feeding on both sides each feed and swapping more frequently for a week first? I’ve also restarted fenugreek in the hope it could help. Am I failing her by continuing to try and not topping her up?
I use nipple shields to aid latch as advised by a breast feeding support worker after she was born and I feed on demand.

OP posts:
Alfxn · 04/10/2021 21:14

At her age it's normal for weight gain to slow down so I don't think you need to worry OP!

Arghlife · 04/10/2021 21:22

Sounds normal! Don't worry, like you said she has plenty of wet nappies ect. Still gaining weight

PanicBuyingSprouts · 04/10/2021 21:28

Seems perfectly normal to me as well OP.

If you're worried, have a read of is my older baby getting enough milk and How Might I Increase my Baby's Weoght Gain.

Talking to a BFC on one of the BFing helplines might help to reassure you as well Thanks

PanicBuyingSprouts · 04/10/2021 21:29

*Weight

Buttons294749 · 04/10/2021 21:32

My DS was in the 0 centile as a baby, lots of going back and forth to the doctor abkut it (they made me come in to look at weight every week!!) He did have reflux but now he is a 3yo he is a skinny boy who eats loads.

I wouldn't worry at all, some people are naturally

bedroomnc · 04/10/2021 21:34

Speak to HV

Amammai · 04/10/2021 21:34

You sound like you’re doing a super job! Is she roughly following her growth line? Is there a reason she is weighed weekly? I would just continue to feed on demand and it’ll probably even out as some weeks she’ll gain more than others.!

Original poster
BlueBobs · 04/10/2021 21:40

Thanks all. Not weighing her weekly this was her monthly weight check and she started between the 9th and 25th percentile and has just dipped below the 9th. When the HV did her visit after birth she said she needed to gain around 6lbs a week, so I'm just a bit worried that it's dropped to 4.5oz at 12wks old. Really want to carry on EBF but not if it's detrimental to her.

OP posts:
PanicBuyingSprouts · 04/10/2021 21:44

Sorry I missed the bit where she is being weighed weekly. Is there a reason for this, especially when her weight gain seems fine?

Are you in the UK @BlueBobs? If so, is there a LLL Group near to you?

Original poster
BlueBobs · 04/10/2021 21:49

@PanicBuyingSprouts not being weighed weekly, I should have said it was an average of 6lbs a week and is now an average of 4.5lbs a week when I've been monthly weighing her.

OP posts:
PanicBuyingSprouts · 04/10/2021 21:55

If it's pounds you might have a weight problem but it's not lack of weight! Grin

If it's ounces, you still don't have a problem. If you are concerned at all read the links I posted. All of Kellymom's information is evidence based. Speak to a BFing Counsellor (BFC) on one of the Helplines or go to your local BFing Support Group.

Like I've said though abs many other posters, you don't have anything to worry about.

Jellybean100 · 04/10/2021 21:58

Try and ditch the shields maybe

Original poster
BlueBobs · 04/10/2021 22:01

Thank you all, think I just needed a bit of reassurance. I'm not very confident after the issues I had with my first baby. I'll read the links and keep going for another month and see how things are.

OP posts:
JC12345 · 04/10/2021 22:12

Be careful with fenugreek as it can cause drop in supply also... I'd try to ditch the shields and add in a couple of extra feeds during the day.

Amammai · 05/10/2021 01:49

I also read to keep offering both sides as although feeding on one side allows access to the ‘fatty hind milk’ it is total quantity of any milk which most helps weight gain so regularly swapping during feeds can help.(I follow LMJ feeding support on Facebook and her breastfeeding advice is excellent)

Original poster
BlueBobs · 05/10/2021 09:36

Thanks @Amammai I think I've been worrying too much about her getting the fatty hind milk that I've not been changing sides enough. I'll look up the Facebook group and have a read

OP posts:
shouldistop · 05/10/2021 09:42

Seems fine op. Offer the breast often during the day. If she hasn't fed in 2 hours during the day then offer a feed even if she isn't asking. Try some feeds without the shields and see how it goes.
You're doing a great job.

PanicBuyingSprouts · 05/10/2021 16:38

Just a little warning on feeding from one side only, that's the advice given when you're trying to reduce your supply.

shouldistop · 05/10/2021 16:51

Defo offer both sides at each feed. Block feeding reduces supply. Don't worry about hindmilk etc,

New posts on this thread. Refresh page