3 day old lost just over 10% of body weight

[Yellowdaff25]

Feeling very disheartened and upset as just had a home visit midwife appointment and my 3 day old has lost just over 10% of his body weight so she has suggested topping up with formula.

I had a c section which I know can delay milk coming in but I have been producing colostrum and can hand express this in small amounts. It seems to be increasing and has changed from thick and yellow to more white and milk like and my breast seem bigger but the midwife today told me that because I lost a fair bit of blood (this was in my notes at 1100ml but hospital never told me this!) my milk would likely be delayed for several more days. She also commented that my nipples are quite bit so baby may be struggling with latch🫣😩

I feel so upset as I didn’t manage to breastfeed my first and I really wanted to persevere this time round. Baby is also a little jaundiced and midwife said formula would help flush this out?

She did say just to supplement with formula and keep offering the breast but I still feel very deflated - especially as I felt like all the signs that my milk was coming in were there.

I lost the same amount of blood as you (although had a vaginal birth so counted as a PPH as anything over 500ml does, but a litre loss is normal for a c section) and my milk came in fine at day 3. It sounds like yours is on its way. You'll probably find your boobs swell up a lot over the next six hours or so. Just keep latching your baby and encouraging them to snuggle in and feed. What was their birth weight? Obviously some babies can afford to lose more than others if they are 42 weekers.

This was old fashioned advice when I breastfed 21 years ago! Do you have a children’s centre breast feeding counsellor/supporter they are really helpful.

My daughter lost weight at first and I was stood this is normal, keep offering feeds and pumping.

If you top up with formula still pump.

I was told the same but it didn’t work, the health visitor who was also a breast feeding counsellor explained my daughter was struggling because a bottle and nipple are different actions for a baby and my daughter couldn’t bottle feed.

With offering small and often (a babies tummy is very small) within days it corrected, lots more milk.

I used to go through so many breast pads! And fed until my daughter was two years old in the end.

Don’t be disheartened ultimately do what is best for both you and your baby.

Don't feel disheartened! You're doing an incredible thing and this doesn't mean the end of breastfeeding.

Keep going. If you top up with formula, I would pump for 10-20 minutes afterwards to let your body know that it still needs to be making more milk.

Can you get an online or inperson IBCLC consultation to help with latch / any breastfeeding issues? They are very well trained in their specialism, moreso than midwives and health visitors. They will be able to help with whether formula top ups are actually needed or whether that will reduce your breast milk production.

You could express some milk and put it on your nipples to heal the soreness.

Congratulations on your baby x

Would be better to put baby to the breast first, regardless of whether baby takes anything putting baby to the breast is one of the best ways to stimulate supply. Formula top ups after

Yes, that's what I meant by top ups. Breast, then formula top up, and then pump for a bit extra.

Don't listen to her. Your milk is on its way. You'll wake up with cement boobs in a day or two. Babies always lose weight at the beginning and I'm not sure why nurses are dying to get bottles into them. It will affect your supply and future feeding. This is completely natural. Your body will kick in as your baby needs it.

My 3rd lost weight, can't remember how much but I had a good midwife who was happy for me to keep breastfeeding and not top up but as it was my 3rd and I'd bf the other two I had that experience to be going on with which helped me be more relaxed, which in turn I think helps with milk production. I basically just lived in my dressing gown with baby skin to skin even when not feeding.

I was also told the graphs don't allow for C-section babies loosing more weight generally because when a baby is born vaginally the fluid in them is squeezed out when coming down the birth canal. They are weighed after, C-section babies don't have this therefore often appear to lose more. I am not a medical professional - this is just my experience/what I was told.

I was in the same position, second baby a bit jaundiced, didn’t gain enough in first week or so. I was told to top up, I didn’t do it. I got nipple shields which helped latch in my case and continued BF. He eventually gained well.
you are only 3 days pp your milk will still come in. I wouldn’t top up unless baby seems hungry and unable to get enough milk.

Meant to add, I had a c-section and was told similar about baby's weight. It all came good very quickly. If baby doesn't appear distressed, don't go near the bottle. It'll only make things more difficult.

3rd installment! My nipples are tiny - not an issue. Your baby is made for you.

If you are not ready to stop OP then please do not let her pressure you. Colostrum is enough for the first days, keep baby on the boob as much as you possibly can and I mean pretty much 24/7- this is how they “put their order in” for the next days, it lets your body know that baby is here, they need milk, and you will get there! I lost 1.8L in my first delivery and my milk still came in on day 3, lost another 1.2L with second baby and still milk arrived day 3 so I’m not sure what evidence she is basing her guidance on there, it’s not something I was ever warned about and my youngest is only 11 weeks old so this is very recent.

I have kept both of my babies on the boob pretty much 24/7 for the first week or so, it’s the best way to hurry things up and increase supply.

Agree with others about looking for a bf clinic locally, all of our family hubs have one you can attend to get some advice. I ended up paying for a feeding specialist with my first for support with breastfeeding which was so so helpful because she was able to look at my boobs, my baby, and suggest the best positions. For my first baby the typical position was rubbish and the rugby ball was amazing for getting a good latch!

I also don’t understand this push for formula top up. I was told a few times with my second to do it (even wake him in the night and feed), even though he had a healthy weight and was clearly thriving. I never topped up and excluded breadtfed for 6 months. By then he was chunky!

Exactly! I was lucky enough to have a mum who ebf'd and a sister. Both gps so I had the confidence to keep going. A friend of mine buckled to the 'losing weight' with her first because she was afraid and was following bad guidance.

The top ups seem innocuous but they affect the microbiom.

My advice to you, OP, would be to persevere with the breastfeeding and supplement with formula as well. After a week, if your DB has put on weight, stop the formula and see how it goes. Very best of luck, but however your baby is fed, so long as he thrives and puts on weight, you are doing your job as his mother.

I would have done the same with my first @Grammarninja. with my second I had the confidence to continue breastfeeding and not top up or even wake him in the night (this one still makes me angry - why wake a healthy sleeping baby).

Totally agree! I was so lucky that my first came into a situation where the people around me knew better and I could trust their judgement.

Obviously feeling very emotional and all of your comments have made me tear up (in a good way!) - thank you😭♥️

Firstly, I am very sorry you had to hear that comment regarding your nipples. It’s a really unhelpful thing to say and can leave you feeling like the latching troubles are somehow fault. It’s not your fault! I do wish these bloody midwives would think before saying such things. There’s nothing wrong with your anatomy. It just takes some babies longer than others. Secondly, my biggest regret is not persevering in my own similar situation. So take all the advice from experienced breastfeeders on here and do request a different midwife next time. All the best and congratulations be extra kind to yourself these first few weeks x

I lost 2 litres of blood and my milk came in fine. It sounds like yours is too. Personally, I would either get a second opinion or persevere without giving the top ups and assess in a few days.

I am very grateful for all of the speedy comments and support. Thank you everyone💐💐

https://laleche.org.uk/my-baby-needs-more-milk/

Some good info here. It's not always necessary to leap in with formula. Things to try:

1. Skin to skin, offer both sides, ensure 8-10 feeds in 24 hours as a minimum.
2. Breast compressions - see link. They can be really effective.
3. Frequent switching between breasts.
4. Express after a feed and give by cup/ spoon. 5. Ask for referral to bf support.
5. Call or message the National Breastfeeding Helpline- they are amazing.

Congrats on your newborn.

Did she watch a feed? If you can access support it would be good to get a skilled person to watch your baby feed, they can then give sensible advice instead of comments about your nipples fgs

When I had kids, I remember advice to spend time with baby in bed, (long periods, like a whole afternoon), put a towel under you, stay topless and keep the baby near the breast. The baby will probably stay latched most of the time, and it will encourage milk production. (And baby will probably drink a fair amount of milk in the end, not to mention the bonding and oxytocin production for both of you).