Little/No Weight Gain for 3 Weeks? Have to Supplement?

[Tawn]

For the first 3 weeks my DD gained weight beautifully, she was absolutely perfectly following the 75th percentile line and all seemed good. Then all of a sudden we had no weight gain on week 4 check, then only an ounce gain on week 5 check and only an ounce again at week 6 check today. So that is only 2 ounces in 3 weeks! She dropped to the 30th percentile and has flatlined with weight gain. We were then referred to a pediatrician to rule out any other serious conditions and all seems fine, so they are assuming my milk isn't enough for her.

I am so frustrated, I have tried SO HARD to continue EBF I even paid for a lactation consultant to come round and they had me switch nursing to boost my supply. It seemed to work as her active feeding times were extending and she was swallowing much more and I was hopeful things were going to turn around but today was weigh in #3 with little/no gain and the doctors are really pushing supplementing.

However, my supply seems to be tanking again already and I really feel if I supplement it will dry up completely. Also, I really feel like if I offer DD a bottle it will be bye bye BF because she will like the ease of the fast flow. I am so upset, I can't stop crying! I can't figure out why it isn't working for me, I have tried so DAMN HARD to breastfeed my little girl and I feel like I am going to have to throw in the towel now I have put all my heart into this and it just seems to not be paying off, I don't know whyyyyyyyyy!?

The doctor has given us one more week before they INSIST on supplementing. Any ideas from you ladies why this is happening and what I can do to help little miss gain the weight we need this week before I give up entirely?

 

[IrelandsOwn]

I'm sorry this is happening, especially as you've made such a valiant effort to breastfeed. I don't think I can help but I didn't want to read and run. Is your little one emptying the breast? I know the emptier the breast, the more calorific the milk. Here's an article from Kellymom that you may find useful https://kellymom.com/health/growth/weight-gain_increase/

 

[New Mrs W]

^^ WSS I had similar with Mickey. Turned out he just wasn't feeding for long enough on each breast to get the calorific milk before i was switching sides. I tried blobk nursing (just nursing from one side for two or three feeds, then the next side for tye next two or three times) which really helped. Mickey fell from 75th centile at birth to the 9th by 4 weeks old. By 9 weeks he waa back up to 25th so am hoping he will keep on climbing. Good luck xx

 

[Dream.dream]

Agree with previous posts have you tried block feeding?

Also have you seen a lactation consultant to have your babies latch checked because an improper latch can cause issues with supplie and baby getting enough

If you need to supplement look at a supplimental nursing system , then you can give her the extra food she needs and continue to maintain your supply ( plus no bottles and no nipple confusion )

 

[jessicaR4bbit]

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling My advice is contingent upon several variables, which are:

1) What are her nappies like? How many wet and dirty nappies per day? What are her dirty nappies like (colour and consistency)?

2) What are her feeds like? How long, how often? As previous posters have mentioned, is she emptying the breast?

The good news is, your LO hasn't lost weight. That would signify a supply isslue to me. The fact that she is gaining, albeit slowly, is still a good sign. Her slowed and stalled weight gain could be caused by any number of issues but answering the above questions would make it clearer to me.

Please, don't panic and be so quick to doubt yourself. Health care professionals are either a godsend or a nightmare in these first few weeks. All to often they will be quick to suggest formula, rather than trying to get to the root of the issue. What so many fail to understand is that slowed or stalled weight gain can be caused by health issues that go beyond milk supply. Latch issues that impede milk transfer, gut issues and ability to absorb nutrients, and just plain old genetics can be at play here, all of which can not be magically solved by formula feeding.

Hope to hear from you soon and remember you are doing a wonderful job and are obviously a caring and loving parent, which is the most important thing here. X

 

[Tawn]

Thanks for the replies!! Yes, we've already seen a lactation consultant so I don't think it is a latch issue but I suppose I can't be 100% certain.

As to your specific questions jessicar4bbit,

1) she has about 5-7 wet nappies a day and they are all medium to very wet. She poos about once per day (sometimes skipping a day) and they range from small to very large blowouts. They are mustard yellow, liquidy with a few bits in them

2) she feeds every 2 ish hours and feeds about 15-20 minutes on each side but that can vary a bit. My lactation consultant has advised me to only let her actively feed and to switch her over when her swallows get to the point where she is working very hard (ie 7-10sucks per swallow) so she isn't using more energy than she is gaining in calories. Sometimes I will offer the first breast again at the end if she still seems hungry.

I really appreciate the input!

 

[MissCurly]

sorry you're having a bit of a tough time, and it really can knock your confidence when you have health professionals pushing one way or another !!

There is some great advice here, and i also think breast compression is an awesome way to get the fattier milk coming through whilst feeding- so when babe slows down with her feeding, compress the boob and she should have a few more quicker swallows.

 

[jessicaR4bbit]

Thanks for the replies!! Yes, we've already seen a lactation consultant so I don't think it is a latch issue but I suppose I can't be 100% certain.

As to your specific questions jessicar4bbit,

1) she has about 5-7 wet nappies a day and they are all medium to very wet. She poos about once per day (sometimes skipping a day) and they range from small to very large blowouts. They are mustard yellow, liquidy with a few bits in them

2) she feeds every 2 ish hours and feeds about 15-20 minutes on each side but that can vary a bit. My lactation consultant has advised me to only let her actively feed and to switch her over when her swallows get to the point where she is working very hard (ie 7-10sucks per swallow) so she isn't using more energy than she is gaining in calories. Sometimes I will offer the first breast again at the end if she still seems hungry.

I really appreciate the input!

Wet nappies sound great. Dirty, great. Amount of feeds, great. Like the poster above me says, do you know how to do breast compressions while she feeds? That can help draw out the milk for her towards the end of the feed. Other than that though nothing sounds wrong to me. She's getting plenty it sounds like. It could be that he weight gain will just pick up on it's own over the coming weeks.

I would really avoid giving formula unless absolutely necessary which it doesn't sound like you're at that point yet. If she hasn't gained more than a few ounces in the next week I'd try and get a second opinion from a different doctor. To me it just doesnt sound like formula would solve your weight gain issue.

 

[justkitty]

My son is ff and gained on ave 4oz a week at best. Dropped from 50th to 0.4th. High cal formula now on 2nd centile but he is just small naturally. Give yourself 2-3weeks before you next get him weighed. You mau find 9th centile is where he should be naturally. I found it excruciating and so upsetting with hv assuming I wasn't offering him enough formula etc. He is 16m 19lb and developing normally. He sees the dietician and paediatric team but he is just small. Hold hope!

 

[justkitty]

By that I mean keep bfing a few weeks more. If bubs is just a tiddler swapping to ff will make no difference. They can take a few months to find their natural curve

 

[AmyB1978]

The ladies here have great advice. The Kellymom website also tends to have good advice. If you do have to supplement I also think you should try using a supplemental feeding system, that way she doesn't have to use a bottle and your still getting stimulated that se needs more.

Huge I know how important breast feeding was, and is, to you... I am sorry things are so difficult. You are an amazing Mother and you are in no way doing anything wrong. Fel free to PM or FB MSG me if you need to vent.