Post hospitalisation newborn still hasn’t gained weight

[Cocomandarin]

I’m at my wits end.

my soon to be 2 week old (tomorrow) is still sitting at 12/13% weight loss since birth. I had a c section, she was on IV antibiotics for a few days for possible infection but she didn’t have one. They think this slowed her energy for feeding. On day 3 she had lost 9% of her birth weight. We hadn’t left the hospital yet and I felt her feeding was normal for a new born. She also filled nappies with meconium all day on her birthday.

by day 9 she had lost 13%, she was only taking an oz of formula every 2/3 hours and was sleepy. I called the hospital and they admitted her. She was fitted with an ng tube and fed 3 times through this in hospital which was so traumatic. She managed to gain an oz in hospital over 2 days and we were discharged as she was having all her feeds on time and the correct amount for weight gain. We went back to the hospital today (48 hours later) and she has lost 8g. I know that she has been constipated in this time since last weigh and then had an explosion nappy. The doctors are concerned she hasn’t put on weight and I am falling apart, I’m spending all my waking hours feeding her and monitoring what she is having, I don’t see how she hasn’t gained weight when they are supposed to gain 20g a day. So since Wednesday to Sunday she has only gained 35g. Has anyone been through this I’m so worried for my baby it’s been a nightmare.

Sorry to hear this. It’s such a worry when they’re so little. My son lost 11% birthweight but regained it fairly quickly so I don’t have much useful advice. Is she fully FF? Have you any concerns she might have a cows milk intolerance or similar?

Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding, OP? Sorry you are going through this - feeding issues can be so challenging. If you are formula feeding, what sort of bottles are you using as well?

Hi @JellyMouldJnr I am pumping and giving her what I can from that, it’s not much but I’ve tried to throw everything at it. She is having regular formula feeds all day and then the odd top up of BM when I can make it. I have no idea about a cows milk intolerance, I asked the doctors so many times what could be causing it and they never mentioned an intolerance so I don’t know.

hi @CrispAppleStrudels yes mostly formula feeding and using mam bottles, we have size 1 and 2 teets. She seems to drink more on number 2 without falling asleep although more wind, size 1 she needs to be awake or gets fed up.

I’ve very recently come through similar with my boy. We were referred to the infant feeding team in our area and had one particular person to see and get support from and they were amazing. We had hour long appointments and she’d sit and watch me feed for 35/40 mins to make sure things were going well and he was swallowing correctly etc. The midwives referred us. Could you check if your area has one?

I found it a real struggle and was crying and very anxious but after the support we had he is now slowly gaining so things are looking better.

looks like you’re formula feeding so I can’t help with actual advice but I’m thinking of you and your girl. Things will get better.

I had a no/slow weight gain baby. She is now a tall healthy 6 year old. It is hard work. Really really hard. The triple feeding you are doing is utterly exhausting.

I would be reaching out to your health visitor and midwife and getting them to help you with a plan.
It maybe you need 24-48 hours weights.

I would want to rule out tongue tie as well as any intolerance.

This is also the time to rally your support network. Ask for help with meals and housework. Ask someone to come and sit with the baby so you have a shower. Or ask them to take the baby for a short walk so you can rest.

Sorry just seen your update. If you’re pumping what kind of pump do you have? The
community health centre sometimes has hospital grade pumps you can borrow. Also it was hard going but I did middle of the night ‘power pumping’ to get my supply going more but your issue might not be supply. We had supply issues from me and low energy from him so double whammy.

Hi OP, I don't want to detract from the seriousness, but give you some solidarity. My initially breastfed DS took a long time to regain his birth weight, at one point early on he only gained 10g in 5 days. He slipped down to the 0.4 centile line and we were referred to paediatrician. At which point I started combi feeding, and he stayed around 1-2nd centile for a few months, until he grew out of his reflux around 5 months and then steadily gained to 25th centile at 9 months. Plenty of medical professionals had seen his reflux, no-one thought it was a specific concern - but that's the only thing that changed when he started putting the weight on, so in retrospect I think that was it. But at the time no-one had any clear answers for us.

Your situation does sound more serious if you're in hospital, so please keep on chasing up the staff. I just wanted to give a little hope that a slow start doesn't mean it will be a concern forever. I remember so vividly that awful feeling that I was failing at the basic requirement of a parent - keeping them alive and growing. I kept a brave face, but did feel like I was letting DS down. Please don't feel like that, you are doing the best you can and taking your DC to the right place for help.

What are they doing to work out what is causing this? I’d want allergy rules out as well as heart conditions. As both can lead to poor weight gain.

Hi everyone

thanks so much for your replies!

thought I’d update the thread anyway incase anyone else has the same issue. Little babe is finally gaining weight and doing ok. It took around 5 days of hard graft. Spent hours getting her to just sip here and there. She’s gained 11 ounces in 12 days. Just 5 oz to go to her birth weight. I’m still planning to slowly transition to breastfeeding mostly, however long it may take ❤️

That's fantastic news! So glad LO is doing well now x

Thats amazing! Great gain in 12 days!

Mine finally got back to birth weight just over a month after birth. He’s starting to put on more weight now and they’ve extended the amount of time I can have before I have to wake him in the night today. So he’ll probably decide tonight is the night not to sleep…

good luck, you’ve got this.

So pleased to hear this is going well - very happy for you. ❤️