DS losing weight & EBM solution offered by clinic nurse

[Laranna]

Hey Renee,

I had similar trouble with both mine. Well, DS did lose weight and I did have to comp feed for a few months, but it all came good.

More recently with DD, she just stopped putting on weight at about 3 months and she stayed the same weight for a couple more months. We had a paed check for things and it all came back clear. We determined she was taking the 'right' amount of milk from me (by output and the weigh, feed, weigh again method) so paed was all happy with that and referred us to a dietician. In desperation, I have to say I did try topping her up with EBM and formula for a week but it made no difference whatsoever. After speaking to the dietician, she said that there are just some kids who are small but it was still important to get the calories in her as she'll need the extra energy for moving, crawling, etc.

We stuck with the breastfeeding, ditched the top ups after about a week and started solids at 5.5 months. I wanted to wait until 6 but I figured she obviously needs food so I thought that was better alternative than giving formula since she was only a couple weeks off starting anyway. We dived straight into solids - 3 meals a day, high calorie meals like meats, pastas, casseroles. You'd traditionally start with veggies and fruit but they aren't very high in calories. The dietician also got us to add more fat into her diet by adding olive or canola oil or a teaspoon of salt reduced margarine to her food for the extra calorie content. For us, this worked a treat and she gained 1kg in one month and is still slowly creeping back up to where she started on those graphs. At almost 9 months, she's about 6.8kg, still tiny but healthy and happy. Oh and she is no longer a chucky baby (she did chuck quite a bit in the early days, not huge ones, just frequent ones).

I'm not sure where you're at with your DS and if he's losing weight or just plateaued out. If he's losing weight, then he may need the top ups and there are ways to do this without compromising your supply. If he's just plateaued out has he started moving around a bit? Wriggling on the floor? Rolling over? DD just couldn't keep still when she was on the floor so used lots of energy. No one could explain for sure why she just stopped putting on weight.

Keep perservering, you're doing a great job. Don't be afraid of not doing something you aren't comfortable with. When I took DD to the hospital, all the senior paed said to me was "you don't have enough milk, put her on the bottle" that was that and sent me home with a referral to another paediatrician. I never followed her advice and I'm glad I didn't because DD & I are still breastfeeding perfectly fine. They didn't come and chase me down for not doing it. It was hard not to doubt my supply in those first few months but then I realised the more I try to fill her tiny tummy, it's just not going to fit and she's going to bring out the excess either top or bottom!

[Kmn]

The solids might actually make his tummy a bit less runny and help reduce the chucking too.
And remember that many, many "solids" can be around half EBM. Try things like vegies mashed with EBM or cooked rice soaked in it.

We had a different problem - when I went back to work my 9 month old bub would not drink much from a bottle or cup. DH discovered that 1 weetbix can sop up a hundred ml of EBM, and some of his "feeds" were that way!

[Renee_AW]

The Paediatrician said the regular rice cereal which I did for a few days mixed with breastmilk. I figured that rice is not very high in calories so today I have given him mashed up avocado. He seemed to quite like it, I started with a bit on my finger & then on the spoon. Not sure what will come next but avocado it is for the next few days.

DS seems quite keen on eating from a spoon. He opens his mouth & leans forward. He does push about half of what he takes back out again but I figure he is doing very well at 4.5 months to be even taking in half of what I give him. He did vomit up some of the avocado this morning but I guess that is just what he does. I am trying not to stress about that. We have an appt with the Chiropractor today who is trying to help with he vomiting so fingers crossed it will reduce.

I am no longer comp feeding with the supply line for two reasons: 1. it made DS a lazy feeder: because milk was easier to get through the supply line when it was not there he fussed & grizzled & didn't suck properly 2. Even if it had been good for us I can't express enough milk. So far the most I have managed in one day is 120ml. The volume is increasing (70ml today so far) but not enough to comp feed. Just enough to mix with rice cereal or any other foods that may need it.

I am feeding DS twice in every up time where I can and we have started to put him to bed about an hour earlier at night which means he wakes up twice for feeds and my milk supply is good in the early hours when he feeds plus he doesn't vomit at night and he feeds very efficiently. I am just trying to get as much milk into him as I can and build my supply at the same time.

Sometimes it gets a bit much but mostly it is okay and I would do anything for DS.

DH wants me to stop 'killing' myself and put DS on formula but every time he mentions it I think he is sorry he did. He is just worried about me. The thing is, and some of you will appreciate this, most of the time it is good or even great but now & again the thought of DS being underweight or my milk not being enough or just being exhausted makes me breakdown & cry...DH thinks this is terrible & wants to fix it. For me it is just a stress relief..opening the valve to relieve the pressure & half an hour later things are great again.

We have an appt to be weighed & measured again tomorrow so hopefully there will be more good news!

[onthefly]

Renee, I think you're doing great and I'm glad you've found a kind of groove with the new 'routine'. I hope the scales validate your efforts Good luck for tomorrow.

[Jennifer13]

GL Renee, I hope the new way of working helps make you feel a bit better. Try not to worry, it sounds like he is thriving in other areas.

[Renee_AW]

Thank you for the positive & Good Luck messages - they make a huge difference for me.

Good news.....DS has gained 200 grams in the past 10 days!!!! I am happy & the nurse was happy & jumping around the room in delight too. He moved from the 3rd percentile up to the 5th percentile which is a super positive gain.

He is now:
Length: 63.5cm
HC: 41.8cm
Weight: 5.94kg

HOORAY for DS; he is a little champion & has done so well!!!!!! No formula for this little man...breastmilk ALL the way!!!!!! Thank goodness I did not need to defend my position on that with the nurse!!!!

[onthefly]

See!
Now,... try and stay away from the scales for a while.

[Renee_AW]

Now,... try and stay away from the scales for a while.

Hahhahaaa...DH just said this morning that it is lucky we don't have a set of scales at home!

[Barb Glare]

That's brilliant - you have done so well to keep your cool under all this pressure - my bet, it wasn't the solids either. It was *all you*

[Renee_AW]

That's brilliant - you have done so well to keep your cool under all this pressure - my bet, it wasn't the solids either. It was *all you*

Barb, I totally agree withy you. DS has had such a small amount of solids it is not possible for them to be responible (at least not wholly) for the weight gain.

The big question is...where do we go from here???? I am continuing the extra feeds & the early to bed for 2 big night feeds (I couldn't believe my ears yesterday at a group for 4-5 month olds run by the local CHC when Mums were complaining their babies were 'still' waking them at night for a feed!!!! High expectations for their bubs! Besides, I like night feeds; a nice time for DS & I with no distractions).

Solids - I think I will continue because I know DH and the Paediatrician will support this and because DS opens wide & leans in for it. He ate two whole teaspoons of avocado this morning and seemed to really enjoy it. If he was struggling with it I would put up a fight but he seems to like it. I will however pose the question as to whether it is necessary to the Paediatrician on Tuesday.

I also spoke to my amazing friend & herbalist today and she is making me a herb mix to help with my milk supply - extra feeds, expressing & herbs should help even more and hopefully time will show a healthy boy gaining weight steadily.

I feel so HAPPY and that DS is going to be okay!

Thank you so much for your support.

The nurse said today that I must "enjoy a challenge", when I said I didn't she said "well, you sure pulled out all of the stops and rose to the challenge". My thought...what choice did I have...he's my boy & I love him & I want the very best for him. I am his Mummy after all.

[onthefly]

Yeah, you're just being a mummy!

I say keep doing what you're doing - solids optional (I'm sure your milk is quite sufficient )

[MantaRay]

Great work hun. You are an awesome mummy and you are doing a great job. I'm so glad you can relax a bit now.

[Jennifer13]

Well done, Renee!! Here's to no more stress after you see the paed next week.

[Mummato2]

You've made my day reading this update!!

Well done to you - and well done for knowing what was best......keep up the good work xxxxxx

[Renee_AW]

Thank you all again...I don't feel like I have done anything special but you make me feel special which is all warm & fuzzy!!!

DS is doing brilliantly, his weight gain in the first week of Oct was 130 grams and this week he gained another 240 grams....WOW!!!!! We are so excited and he is looking fabulously chubby! He is now back up to the 10th centile & we are very happy.