My baby was born on 29/01/2009 and weighed 3160g. At 2 weeks he weighed 3360g, 3 weeks 3570g, 4 Weeks 3600g and today, 5 weeks 3590g. We started off well and I was really please when he gained 210g in a week, but since then it has been downhill.
I was really shocked and upset last week when he only put on 30g and it was so much worse today when he actually went backwards. I don't know what to do!!
My first two babies weren't breastfed - jaundice and really bad nipples but I expressed and they had supplementary formula feeds, so this breastfeeding is new for me.
I thought we seemed to be going really well - he has good feeds, has heaps of wet nappies (even pees through huggies), settles well after a feed, feeds (on demand) every 4 hous but sometimes goes up to 6 hours, boob is noticably empty after he feeds and he looks like he is growing and is a really good baby.
Everyone I have spoken to says to put him on formula, but I am enjoying breastfeeding him (except for the not putting on weight part) and I would like to continue but not at his expense. I feel like I am starving him and that I am failing him. Milk supply is in no way a problem I have heaps and heaps.
Has anyone had a similar experience?? and what do you suggest??
Did you weigh him with the same scales everytime - there can be a variation between scales at different places especially if they dont calibrate them often. I'd agree with trying to offer a few more feeds in the day - if he doesn't want more milk he'll let you know.
Was the MCHN concerned? Sometimes they will wait a week to weigh again before they get too worried. I wouldnt put him on formula just yet, the scales may have been out - im sure there is a reaasonable explanation. If the MCHN wasnt concerned - make an appointment anyway for a re-weigh, even if it is to put your mind a rest.
He sounds like a delightful, settled little baby. He's perhaps a little "too good" if you know what I mean. I seem to hear this commonly with 3rd or 4th babies. You will find that, with a few simple, short-term measures you will be able to turn things around. Suggesting you put your baby on formula is completely unhelpful.
What I would suggest that you do is to feed your baby every 3 hours. Make sure he has both sides - ie no more than 20 mins on one side, and then *wake* him a bit (burping, nappy change etc) and give him the other side. Ensure he has at least 8 feeds in 24 hours. You will find he turns around quickly. He will probably become much more demanding. For a few days he may seem *ravenous* and you will wonder where your placid little baby went - remember this is a really good sign! You will soon be able to "take off the training wheels" and let him call the shots again - wehn his weightgain improves.
Thank you so much for your replies, you have helped heaps at putting my mind at ease.
Nathan was weighed on the same scales except for his initial weigh-in at the hospital.
The nurse doesn't seem "worried" as such but is concerned. She told me to wait and see how he goes over the next week but I don't want to let it get too out of hand and would rather try and get on top of things before it becomes a panic.
I have been trying to feed him more often all day but I am not having much luck, he won't feed unless he wants too and when he does he definately lets me know. After he didn't gain much weight last week, I expressed off about 20-30ml of foremilk so he would feed on the hindmilk and I thought that might have fattened him up a bit - apparently not.
Thanks again and any more suggestions will definatley be helpful.
it's a funny thing with babies like this. They can often seem very resistant to extra feeds at the start. they are content with the way life is for them. They maybe never feel that hungry or that full. It can seem almost impossible, at the start, to get more into them. But, it is actually important. He needs to grow and develop a better awareness of his own appetite. One, isolated, low weightgain is no concern, but a steady decline can be problematic. it is worth sorting it out before everyone does panic - because when that happens, often mothers are really left feeling that they have no alternative but to bottlefeed, and that can be quite heartbreaking. Many mothers find that slipping in a "dreamfeed" - around now- is really helpful. Other babies have an unsettled period at some time of the day or evening - you can usually get several feeds into them at that time, with a little reorganisation of your day. If he has a dummy - avoid using it. Don't express off milk - he needs it all. The foremilk/hindmilk thing has gotten out of proportion - it's all good milk. He just needs to get a little more of it down the hatch. When you get more feeds into him, you will be amazed at how quickly he changes
Hi Peta,
Exactly the same thing happened to me with DD but my MCHN told me to put her on formula as she was very concerned. I felt like such a terrible mother and felt like I had been starving my baby. I received such wonderful advice and support here which helped us greatly. DD was feeding every 3hrs so I started feeding 2hrs, both sides and dream feeding during the night. It only took a couple of days before she adapted and would wake herself after 2hrs and when I took her back after a wk for another weigh she had gained and my MCHN wanted to know which formula I was using to which I replied none. She was surprised.
I really hope it all works out for you both. Good luck.
I haven't heard of anyone else's baby having trouble gaining weight so as sorry as I am that you had the same thing happen I am glad that I'm not the only one. You so get where I am at!! I just want to do what is right for my little man but would love to keep feeding him.
I have just gotten back from seeing my Gp and from his weight taken at the Dr's last week Nathan has gained 100g but we just aren't sure which set of scales his weight was taken on last week. So now the scales are marked and I'll be going back next week for another check up to see what he is doing.
I've been feeding more regularly, poor little boy, everytime he wakes up there's me wanting to feed him. Sometimes he's interested but other times he's not. Dr said that he wouldn't go near formula at this stage just wait for another week to see what is happening - will be the longest week but hopefully I'll only be kept up at night because of feeds and not because of worry like last night.
So happy for you that your little man has gained some weight and really happy that your GP is encouraging you not to go for the formula, what great news. Lets hope he continues to gain and please let us know how he goes. All the best.
I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone is the slow weight gain and losses, and you are doing a fabulous job!! And congratulations for the 100gram gain!!
I would try to keep weighing on the same scales when you do weigh, we have our own, but I wouldn't recommend that, you may become obsessed !!! But they have been great for us as we can monitor her gains without someone looking over our shoulder, and now we don't have any problems as since she started solids at 6 months she is stacking on the weight!
Compared to my little N, your little fella is doing a lot better than she was. I won't go into our whole history but here is a link to my threads on weight gain or lack of and our breast feeding journey. It also shows the wealth of support on this forum
Ours was a little more complicated as she was completely off the bottom of the charts even for her corrected age, so we didn't have any leway with weight loss. So when she did start losing weight we had to do formula top ups, and we did eventually stop them at 5 1/2 months of age when she really learnt how to feed effectively. But even so her gains are always up and down, she will have a good week and then a bad week, but on average her gains are now up to 150grams per week (since birth), but for quite sometime she was only averaging about 80-90grams.
It can be an very stressful time and a source of constant worry, but it does get easier, I promise just keep doing what you are doing, sometimes it just takes them a bit longer to get going. Keep offering, making sure that he is getting at least 8 feeds in a day, and I am sure that he will get there.
HTH for you to know that you are not alone and it can be a very challenging time, but we are here to support you xxoo
Oh Beema - I didn't think I was so transparent on a forum . I just ordered a set of scales before logging on! I was going to order them on Wednesday when I was really worried about the weight gain (or lack of it) but I knew that I would become obsessed and start weighing him before and after feeds and probably around the clock. I think I am a lot more relaxed after hearing everyone's advice so I just did ordered them.
I don't think that I need to feel that the nurse is judging me or that extra pressure so I'll just do my own weigh ins weekly and get my husband to hide them from me until every Thursday. I really don't think that the nurse meant it that I was doing anything wrong but I probably put that pressure on myself. I did manage to squeeze a few extra feeds into him yesterday so hopefully we are on the right track. My other two children were on breastmilk and formula basically from birth and they were so fat, it was great definatley no worries there.
I can see that Nathan is growing and he is still peeing and pooing up a storm and he is sleeping well, happy and content so I'm just going to wait for our GP visit next Thursday. My only concern is that the GP weighed him on analogue scales and he was wriggling because he was naked, so I don't know how he got the reading. I really trust my Gp so it really isn't a concern as such.
Just going to take things one feed at a time and wait aroudn for the next one. Now to wait for the scales
Peta, I am glad that you are feeling a bit better about it. You might be better off not weighing weekly though - unless there is a weight problem which needs addressing then weighing every 2 or 3 weeks is a better idea. That way if it's been a slow week you won't worry unnecessarily.
Breastfed baby not gaining weight
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but we just aren't sure which set of scales his weight was taken on last week. So now the scales are marked and I'll be going back next week for another check up to see what he is doing.
!!! But they have been great for us as we can monitor her gains without someone looking over our shoulder, and now we don't have any problems as since she started solids at 6 months she is stacking on the weight!
just keep doing what you are doing, sometimes it just takes them a bit longer to get going. Keep offering, making sure that he is getting at least 8 feeds in a day, and I am sure that he will get there. 
. I just ordered a set of scales before logging on! I was going to order them on Wednesday when I was really worried about the weight gain (or lack of it) but I knew that I would become obsessed and start weighing him before and after feeds and probably around the clock. I think I am a lot more relaxed after hearing everyone's advice so I just did ordered them. 
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