Could I Be Starving My Baby?

[hello_kitty]

I took my baby to see a dietician and his pediatrician the past Monday and they both agreed that he is a little on the thin side and his weight gain has slowed down compared to his last check ups. I am suspecting that I am starving my baby or not giving him enough milk. Here is the problem: I only breastfeed on one breast. My baby prefers my left breast. Now he wont take anything but my left breast. My right breast has been drained of milk...or getting close to. When I try to pump, I only get a few drops now whereas back in the early days I could easily get 3 oz from that side. I really want to start producing milk again from my right breast, at least I can pump and save the milk, but I dont know if its too late. If this helps at all, my baby is 7.5 months. Also, do you think that my baby is not getting enough milk if he's only feeding from one breast? He is still peeing and pooping. Sometime he poops 2x a day. As far as diapers, I use the pamper swaddlers that has the wetness indicator. Usually every 3 hours they are about 1/8 full. I am still breastfeeding him on demand. Thanks!

 

[Care76]

I wonder if I am doing the same to my son, although I feed from both sides.

My son used to prefer the left side and that is still the side he spends the most time with, but he never stopped drinking from that side except when he was a few days old. There is a way. Maybe don't offer the other side until he has done some sucking/licking to stimulate the breast? Then pump that side often. Then slowly only offer that side for a while and maybe he will start once more milk comes in. But it might be very hard not to give in and go with the side he likes.

Although, I think that the one side might make enough as mothers with twins have enough milk. Maybe start taking fenugreek or some other herbs to help supply. Good luck to you. I hope it works out.

 

[iwantabub]

I have a similar issue... Hudson prefers the right and so do I so I accidentally have him all right for like two days now my left is deflated and when I pump I get stuff all compared to the right... I have been feeding him on that boob first then topping up with the right also expressing from the left as much as I can for about ten minutes after most feeds ... Last night his diaper output was great and I started on the left every feed and only had to top up a few times... Infact this morning I had to pump my right boob coz it was so full from not being used much in the night and he seems to be getting enough even tho its noticeably smaller still... So I think it's working... Maybe try that... Keep pumping even tho u may get nothing...and also maybe try the herbs and stuff... If your still making milk I can't see why I couldn't get the supply up at least a bit

 

[Feronia]

You wouldn't be starving your baby just by feeding on one breast. Women can successfully breastfeed on one breast alone since the amount of milk will adjust based on how much your baby eats, so if he only eats on one side, most of the milk will come in there. It's how women can fully breastfeed twins (or more), or only use one side in the event that the other one is injured. The only downside is that you may be a bit lopsided! DD prefers my left one as well so it's much larger than right.

Also, babies go through periods of slower growth on occasion. I personally don't pay any attention to growth charts since they are highly variable. If he's healthy and active, is growing, and is peeing and pooing, then chances are he's perfectly healthy! If he's recently become more active and mobile, he may also be losing weight for that reason. DD slimmed down a bit once she began to crawl.

 

[TheNewMrs]

Its very normal for weight gain to slow down around then. There are cultures in Aisia where mothers only feed off one breast too because they are working all day and baby is on the hip in a sling so baby only feeds off that side while the other side stops making milk.

How are his nappies? How is his mood in general? Are you concerned about his development at all? Have you started solid food? How is he with that ?

 

[Bunanie]

I was told that babies weight gain slows down after 6 months, that's because babies become more active. I really don't think you are starving ur baby given that he has enough wet nappy and he is content. (I personally would moan all day if I'm hungry, right?)

If you are really concerned, try offer a top up bottle to see how much he takes.

What about solids? how many meals is he having? I know bm has more calories, but I found when I started solids, my DD's weight gain picked up again. Maybe it's coincidental

 

[hello_kitty]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for ft all the great replies! I really wanted to ebf him until 1 year but since he's been crying and fussy all the time I finally decided to supplement with formula. He us MUCH happier. Did I mention that he used to cry a lot before? That was the reason why I thought he was being starved. Yes I have started giving him solids since 6 months. He gets at least 1 meal a day although I try to give him 2. For the past week he gained 10.5 oz! I feel like giving him poison when I give him formula though. I feel like letting myself down for not ebfing for a year.