Advice on slow weight gain and dealing with HVs?

[Lu28]

Aisling has been gaining weight slowly over the past few weeks, averaging 4oz a week but sometimes as little as 1oz in 2 weeks. She's due to be weighed again on Tuesday and if she's still not gaining quickly enough, I'd like to talk to the HVs about how to move forward without the automatic reaction being to start supplementing with formula - this was the advice I got the first time she didn't gain much.

What else has anyone tried to attempt a weight gain increase without supplementing with formula and any advice on how to stand my ground with the HVs without just seeming like I'm a stubborn cow?!

 

[pinksunshine]

Hiya
New here but wanted to reply. I wanted to post an article that is quite good on the subject but it won't let me due to spam or something It's on iwantmymum.com, select articles, then select breastfeeding and the article is called "Checklist for improving weight gain in breastfed babies". It might also be a good idea to ring a breastfeeding counsellor at one of the recognised orgs (La Leche, Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, NCT, National Breastfeeding Helpline etc) as they can run through various things to help.
Hope that helps a bit

 

[Panda_Ally]

Just stand ur ground with ur HV, if they suggest top ups say politely 'i'd rather not do that' is there anyother way???

Can i ask how often is aisling feeding???

 

[marley2580]

What's the problem if she's gaining weight, not all babies put on loads of weight. Personally, if you're happy with her health, development etc. I just wouldn't bother getting her weighed. According to the WHO, after the first couple of weeks, babies only need weighed at 2, 3, 4, and 13 months.

 

[Lu28]

She's feeding on average every 3 hours and it seems to be going well so I'm happy enough generally. She's just not exactly the picture of the chubby baby and she had been gaining more until about 10 weeks or so and I'm not sure what's happened since then.

I probably should just have her weighed once a month and if things go well on Tuesday I'll probably start doing that. Just want to make sure my (.)(.) aren't slacking off!

 

[AnnaBanana9]

I think it sounds like you're doing everything just right. If Aisling is having plenty of wet nappies, then your (.Y(.) aren't slacking and she's getting everything she needs.

Alyssa has been a slow weight gainer all along - she is 23 weeks old now, and weighs 12lbs 14oz, although she was 8lbs 4.5oz at birth - she's a slow weight gainer. We had an issue a couple of months back where she was gaining only an ounce or two a week and therefore dropping a centile line or two, rather than following a line. The automatic process is for the HV here to refer baby to the GP, but our HV told us she was doing it as procedure ONLY and was more than happy with Alyssa's progress; that she just wasn't made to be the "chubby baby" type, that she's dainty - just as not all adults follow the same pattern of growth. Our GP immediately went in on the supplementing tack, but we spoke with our HV and our lactation consultant about our wish to NOT supplement and they spoke with the GP for us - who then said to continue with BF alone if that is what we were happy with after discussions with them.

We stood our ground, and Alyssa has continued to put weight on steadily at her OWN pace. I don't believe in the supplementing route being right in our case, as it felt to us like force-feeding our baby to have her conform to a "type" and to gain weight for weight gain's sake..... Alyssa is perfect as she is, and is thriving - which is exactly what Aisling looks to be too! I would speak to the HV about your concerns and a lactation consultant or BF advisor (there may well be one in your area, like in ours) and see what they suggest. Ours advised lots of skin to skin contact and to try and increase the time spent nursing to see if baby WANTED to feed more.... and said that it would help weight gain as a result.

I hope that didn't just sound like a lot of waffling and rambling - I do tend to go on at times Please feel free to PM me anytime if you would like to chat or want support - we've been there, done that, and are still going through it.

 

[ryder]

From 2 months to 5 months Jasmine didnt gain any weight at all and weighed 12lbs 5 oz.... And then at 5 months she had a huge growth spurt... seriously, I weighed her at 4.5 months, went back 2 weeks later and she was 15 lbs 3 oz...

And she is FF... Im sure your baby is fine

 

[mrsholmes]

my hv said she would be happy with 3oz-4 oz a week

when they said to me about giving formula when scott wasn't pooing, I refused and asked if there was another way- and they give me lots more support and told me to stiwch feed

 

[ani]

I struggled with and stressed over so much with my LO's slow weight gain, too. It was great up to 2 months and then just slowed down. BUT it has been consistent all the time, and he is average for height, just a little lower for weight. At the same time, perfectly healthy and super energetic, developing fast!

So I'd like to say to you what everyone kept telling me when I was stressed about it: Babies are all different, some gain faster, some slower. As long as she's putting on some, and doing fine (not sleepy all the time etc.), she's probably just perfect. You know best if she's doing well, try not to look at the graphs too much (can be hard, I know!).

And yes, stick to what you know is best. Keep on the BF and ignore what others say, if you think she's getting enough, and if she doesn't appear hungry.

 

[Serene123]

Caitlyn has put on 1lb 9oz in....... 10 months! When she stopped gaining so much they did freak out but she was following a curve even if it wasn't following a percentile line. Tell them they're qualified in averages and statistics, not YOUR baby x