9 week old not gaining much weight EBF, ways to increase feeding

[LillyLeaf]

My nearly 9 week old has gone from 75th at birth to 40th percentile. He's EBF but it's not been easy but getting better. He has relux and will only feed when sleepy but does feed every 3 hours most of the time but doesn't feed for long before he pulls off the breast then goes back on and off every few seconds, it's a frustrating way to feed. He does feed better during the night. How can I get him to feed more often and for longer? He doesn't seem hungry before 3 hours so maybe I need get him to feed for longer but once he's done he won't go back on and gets distressed. I feel so guilty that's not gaining much. He's alert and smiley but also gets quite unsettled and cries mostly in the evenings.

Every 3 hours is really quite infrequent, my DD was more like every 1.5 hours at that age. Can you offer more often? If he has reflux, he probably needs to be inclined up while feeding to be comfortable - what positions have you tried? I’d recommend trying “laid back” feeding (I think that’s what it’s called), or basically any position where his head is a fair bit higher than his tummy. Alternatively, do you have anything you can give him to reduce reflux? I don’t know if there is anything that is recommended for one that tiny.

Offer constantly. If in doubt, whip it out.

@crazychemist how did you fit in awake/alert time and naps feeding everything 1.5hours? I've tried the laid back position but he's not great holding his head, I'll try again as it's been a few weeks.

@FourPlasticRings I'll keep offering but he just cries of he doesn't want it or isn't hungry. I'd really love it if he just wanted to feed all the time.

With my DD, I used to offer a feed when she woke up, and then she’d have another feed before she had a nap. She’d usually nod off during the second feed, but I was fine with that. Personally, I’d rather get the feeding sorted in the early days than worry too much about awake time - if she wanted to be alert and looking around then she’d just have a quick “snack” rather than a full feed, which was often what she did when she woke up. As they get older, they feed progressively more quickly, so it works out in a week or two.

I’d give some different positions a go. Remember, you can feed in ANY position as long as you have a cushion to keep your arm comfy! Try to keep his tummy below his head and see how he does with little and often feeds (which are generally better for refluxy babies anyway)