awww hun you are doing so so well and doing everything right, FX for a happier weigh in on Tuesday

Big hugs hun, it sounds like a really stressful doctor's visit. I really agree with everything anothersquish has already said. Also I have heard of women who have switched to formula because their baby was a slow weight gainer and then it hasn't made a difference and so they've really regretted it. But hopefully if you keep doing what you are doing and topping her up with EBM then it won't come to that anyway. Hopefully in a few weeks b/f will be well established and this will be all in the past. I really felt bad for you reading your post and all the worries that are going round your head - I would be the same, worrying about every possible cause and thinking the worst. But most likely she is absolutely fine but just gaining weight slower than average.

May I ask - why did they instruct you to feed only from ONE breast and then top up with formula? <insert scratching head emoticon here>

If she is otherwise well, don't get hung up on her weight! It really is just a number, and the stress that biddy lil number is causing you is not doing either of you any good! Please try just to settle in with some pillows, get skin to skin, have a drink and snack on hand for yourself and let her root around, latch and unltach as she likes for as long as you can every day.Just spend some time enjoying her. I'm worried for you that this precious newborn phase is getting lost in schedules, routines, charts, weigh-ins and monitoring

Focus on the positives... she has GAINED. That is GOOD. She is happy and alert - that is GOOD. She is producing plenty of wet nappies - that is GOOD. Her latch is good, she is swallowing during feeds and suckling lots - that is all EXCELLENT.

I hear what you're all saying but obviously when I see her weight on the charts and she's gaining so little there's obviously a point where it will be UNHEALTHY for her right? So although I'm going to try and stick with it, there will be a point where I can't because it will be bad for my sanity. When a child shoudl be gaining around 100g and is gaining 20 and when a child shoudl have gained about 500 and only gained 200 it's going to get too stressful for me at some point. If the breastfeed weight gain charts were a little more accurate for her I would have been fine but even on those she's NOWHERE near the projected weight gain by any standard.

I've been crying far too much today. I had such a great pregnancy and since then have had so many issue myself (infections, back problems, extended baby blues etc.) but was happy that baby was fine, and in my head I had this idea of happily breast feeding for a year or at least until I could depending on my next academic year schedule, and I just can't believe I might be one of the few women who isn't able to do that! I know I shoudl try and enjoy her and all those things but it's near impossible when I thought she MUST have gained atleast close to 100g and to not be anywhere near that. It's confusing as I'd convinced myself he looked chubbier around the thigh and tummy area.

I understadn the question of the one side Vs. 2 but I wont' be able to express enough milk if it's not by pumping the opposite side that I'm feeding on. They just want a gage of how much she's getting to see if it's a latch/suck issue or a breast milk not providing enough calories issue?

thanks for the support. I still don't understand

big hon
just wanted to say i had this happen when we first brought K home. he took until almost 4 weeks to regain his birthweight, struggled with his latch and fell asleep constantly. my mw was 'threatening' supplementing with formula, i was so worried. i fed him almost constantly, ate and drank tons, fed from one side then nappy then other side. i'd be up for over 2 hours each feed at night 'zzzzz'. he eventually started gaining more - phew. he's still small (9th%) but has always had good output, developed well, happy and alert etc. Just like yours!
she IS thriving. Keep at it and she will continue to do well. Im sure nothing is wrong, though i can understand you thinking that. I was told by a bf counsellor that I just needed confidence, and that helped tons, and he started gaining more after that.
We all believe in you both!!!

I mentioned on another thread about finding an IBCLC who could do some test weighs to guage if it is a supply/transference problem or something else. If breastfeeding is important to you, please do this before supplementing.

You can find an IBCLC here:
http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3432

Personally, I would never use formula without being told by someone fully and genuinely qualified - and a HV or MW is very unlikely to be.

Hi hun

A few days ago I felt exactly like you do...

But - today my milk came in!!!

What I did was bf my lo every hour even if he didn't ask for it.

Expressed after as many feeds as I could.

Drank LOADS of mothers tea - 6/7 pints a day


Have you tried fenugreek or domeperidone (sp?). Those are supposed to increase milk supply.
Fenugreek is in the health food shops
Domeperidone you can buy from pharmacy I think...

Maybe worth a try?

I agree. I think they can be too quick to recommend formula instead of providing the necessary support to help sort out whatever the issue is while continuing breast feeding.

I agree with both - and I think this mw is likely to be one of these, judging by the advice she has given so far.

Some babies are just small. Some babies just grow much slower than others. In your shoes, I'd be tempted to chuck out the charts, and start judging the health of my baby on the evidence of my eyes. But then, I am the kinda person who hasn't looked at a set of scales for MYSELF since I was 15. I KNOW when I am fat/thin, healthy/unhealthy. I don't need a chart to tell me. And I trust myself to know as much for my own children. I appreicate that some people will think I am crazy but.....

im quite surprised they are suggesting 1 boob aswell? I no every baby is different but with me i have to offer both boobs or he will b hungry. I wud suggest to at least offer yr lo the second? x