Need to see doc/paed re slow weight gain - opinion TikTok/anyone??

[Jackstini]

Got ds weighed last week and HV said she needs to refer as he had drifted across 6 centile lines now since birth. She was nice about it and said ds looked alert and well, but that it would be wise to just rule out any serious problem. She accepted I did not want to do formula top-ups as he is excl bf.
Have plotted his details on the WHO charts from another thread and he is showing as underweight for age and BMI is low too. Weight for height chart classes him as 'wasted' (All come out under the -2 line)
Am now really worried and just wanted opinion/advice before I see Doc tomorrow. Weights and dates below:
Born 4.31 *head circ 38.3)
5 days 4.15 (in hosp for jaundice/phototherapy)
9 days 4.13
12 days 4.10
17 days 4.10
4wks+2 4.40 (head circ 38.4)
5+2 4.52
6+2 4.48 (had breast abcess for 3 weeks)
7+2 4.52
9+1 4.61
11+1 4.77
16+1 5.22 (head circ 40.7, length 62cm)

Any advice appreciated (desperate emoticon!)

Jackstini, I think it's sensible for your baby to be checked over by the doc, to rule out any organic or pathological reason for the slow weight gain. You will need to ask about 'catch down' growth - a baby whose birthweight is like your baby's may quite naturally catch down to a more 'average' level.

If it's suggested this weight rate is not wholly physiological - ie, what your baby is 'meant' to be doing - then you could discuss ways of getting more breastmilk into him, and you prob know what they are.

Hope things work out.

def get him checked out. how does he look? is he skinny? also it might be worth comparing to your first child's weight at same stage to see if there is any similarity.

ds was rather thin around that age, which of course babies are not meant to be, it is very worrying. i got more help with latch and he got a lot better at getting milk out (basically his head grew so he could open his mouth wider) and fattened up nicely.

Thanks for replies - yes he has got quite skinny legs and arms although body/tummy seems ok - can't see ribs or anything.
dd was born at 3.88kg, went down to 3.74 and was 5.06 at same age as ds, so slightly less. She too drifted across 5 centiles.
Am trying to express at least twice a day now I am back at work, and going into nursery to feed him once a day on the 3 days he is there. He takes about 5oz of ebm 3 times a day between 9-5 on those days too. On days he is at home I feed on demand (work from home so this is Wed & Fri plus weekends)
Cluster feeding in the evening and feeding every 3 hours through the night too. I am still using nipple shields though as cannot get him to latch without yet.
Have also had about 10 pints of ebm from a friend (bless her, I am so lucky) to keep him exclusively bm fed, although nursery have almost gone through this now.
Any more tips welcome. Am going to feed like buggery through the Easter weekend
I am happy for doc to check him out just in case but really don't want to start giving formula if I can help it.

Jack, if heis having EBM from someone else in the day, then are you not expressing yourself in the day? If you aren't then it sounds like your supply is reduced because demand on your breasts is reduced.

Sorry,note you are expressing.
Maybe you need to do so more often?

Sorry - was just expressing!

I will have a go Moondog.

Days I am at work (from home) usually go like this:
7am - feed directly
10am - express
12.30 - go to nursery and feed direct
3pm - express
5pm - pick up from nursery and feed direct
Evening and overnight - feed on demand - usually another 6 times before 7 am.

I am getting about 5 oz each time I express (3oz from 1 boob, 2 oz from other)

What do you think?

Agree with moondog....with these further details, it does rather look like there's at least a possibility the whole production line is a bit under-stimulated, to be honest.

I mean with an older baby (more firmly established bf) or simply a different baby things might not need to be as finely tuned.

But in your case, you and he perhaps need an extra expression/feed on those working days.
Maybe.

maybe you could get more help with latch jackstini, get rid of shields. he might well get more out then and build up supply a bit.

you are doing great with the expressing, i never got a drop out.

Will have another go at trying to get a shield free latch, ds just gets so frustrated
Will see what doc says tomorrow and if he has put on any weight...

Shields are deffo something to think about. It's a balance though: if he is likely to feed worse without them, and be distressed, even in the short term, maybe getting rid is something to do with great care.

That's what worries me TikTok. dd was the same, she didn't come off them until she was about 1.6 and I could try and explain to her what to do!

Oh well, can't get in to docs for a while. he was full yesterday and today and is on holiday next week so has booked us in for 2 weeks time. He can't feel it is that urgent then!?

Hi Jackstini,

Have you tried taking the shield off half way through a feed?

Hi 3 - yes have had a go but he just seems to wave his little head around with mouth wide open. Think the nipple is too slippery with milk for him to latch on?