Ummm this might be an unpopular thing to say in the BF section (I picked this thread up from latest posts)....

But maybe you should keep an open mind and have a good chat to your doctor about it? They don't normally bother phoning people and asking them to come in unless they have a very good reason..

There are a handful of situations where breast isn't always best, and for all you know this MIGHT be one of them. I just think you should let the doctor explain their reasons fully before making a decision. Surely a partly (or fully) FF baby is better than an ill BF baby?

Please seek a proper educated opinion from a breastfeeding support counsellor

blahblahblah, it's a nice way to look at it maybe... but so many healthcare professionals don't have the necessary knowledge to give adequate advice which isn't actually counterproductive. And as far as I understand - her baby is NOT ill.

Thanks for the replies, and thankfully my baby is not ill at all. Just thin. I will carry on doing what I'm doing and will call LLL today on my next feed.

Some of the problems, like not offering both sides etc and not pumping after one pump in the morning and not really taking the supplements have changed so maybe weight gain will start to increase a little more.

After having a chat with my mum I think she knows not to repeat those opinions.

I'm obviously going to hear what the doctor is saying but it makes little sense that humans have been breast feeding their babies for millennia and now so many mums are discouraged by a variety of scenrios and reasons.

i've nothing to add to what has already been said.

big and remember you doing a fantastic job!

I think you are doing a fab job. I don't have anything new to add that hasn't already been said, but stick to your guns, you don't need to supplement if your baby is healthy and gaining some weight even if their weight gain is slower than normal.

Baby is currently doing her first poo in three days! Why couldn't she wait till after being weighed?

Spoke to a lovely LaLecheLeague advisor this morning. Feeling positive and want to stay relaxed but I'm sure a low weigh in today will affect my mood.

Thanks again for the support ladies!

Good luck hon x

Good luck, let us know how you get on

My baby has gained 20g in a week.

I cried at the doctors and she gave me a four day programme (i'm due in to see her next Tuesday) in which I feed her as close to every 3 hours as possible, only from one side, then top up with 2oz of expressed breast milk.

If she's not gained a substantial amount by Tuesday we're talking about supplementing with Formula. I don't know if that's a temporary thing or a regular thing and if I can continue to breastfeed realistically after that (I may be able to pump all the time for a few weeks or maybe months but even now when I have to get things done I miss a pump here or there) or if indeed I can go to exclusively breastfeeding afterwards.

I got really upset as she was feeding in the doctors office and when she said my baby wasn't "thriving" and I saw her little face just sucking away I burst into tears. MY poor baby.

I'm also scared there might be some medical reason why she's not gaining. I just don't understand why she's only gained 20g (!?!?!?!?!? ) in a whole week. It makes NO sense. Even if I look her weight up on the breastfeeding chart sticky she's not doing well. I'm quite upset but determined and trying to hold it together. The question that keeps going round and round in my head is just simply: WHY!?!?!?! Is it because I've always had hormonal problems? is it because my baby's ill? is it because we're genetically very thin form both sides but we were all fed on formula? is it because her latch isn't good enough? Is it because she's just not getting enough sleep and latches on to comfort suck? Is it because of how long I used to allow her to suck for a feed that her sucking isn't strong enough? Is it because I've introduced dummies and bottles? I just want to know why.

I fear if I introduce her to bottles that she'll stop sucking hard at all and expect to be bottle fed so I'm goign to be giving the 2oz via a dropper.

Ok, firstly she HAS gained. Its a low gain but she has not lost weight. You have only been doing all the extra expressing, taking supplements etc for a few days and these things dont improve overnight. In another four days you have a darn good chance to get her weight gain going a little more so do not panic yet!
Firstly, keep doing what you have been doing. Offer her the breast every 2-3 hours as has been suggested, keep expressing as often as you can and offer her the expressed milk as top up after she has had a good 20 minutes on the breast. Dont be afraid to allow her to suck if shes not feeding, this is fine and good as it will say "make more!" to your breasts which is the signal you want to be giving them.
There is MOST LIKELY nothing wrong at all especially as she is otherwise fine.

Get your feet up and keep going. As long as she is happy, producing wet nappies and shows no signs of illness there is no reason to supplement with formula if you do not wish too. If she is still doing ok at her next weight check do not be afraid to ask for more time to stick with BF before you supplement with formula. Obviously you must take medical advise and if her slow gain really is a medical concern fine, but if it isnt and its just that she is not fitting on a "typical" growth chart then request another weigh in in another four days....you can get her weight checked every week, even every 3 or 4 days if required to check she is still gaining.