Losing Weight - Should I wake him to feed?

[Renee_AW]

Our 9 week old son has been sleeping through the night (from around 8:30pm - 7am) for about the past two weeks.

My husband noticed the other day that he had lost some weight & since he was only weighed last week in his 8 week check-up I had him weighed again today. Last week his naked weight was 5.5kg, this week he is 5.42kg.....he has lost 80g.

Although this is not a lot of weight we are a bit concerned that it is associated with him not feeding during the night and that the weight loss will continue.

Other than losing the weight he is healthy, alert and has lots of wet & poo'y nappies. He usually has two feeds in the morning when he wakes i.e. both breasts on waking, a play for about 45 mins & then both breasts again. After this he feeds every 2-3 hours, depending on how he sleeps.

Since he has lost weight we are wondering whether I should get him up once during the night to feed or whether I should leave it another week and see how he goes?

Any thoughts or experiences would be much appreciated.

[onthefly]

A weight loss is always a worry I'd try not to freak out at this stage - it may just be a one-off drop and he'll be back on track the next week.
How many feeds is he having all up? Having plenty of wet & dirty nappies is a good sign. Any other changes in his demeanor?
I'd recommend calling the ABA or speaking to a lactation consultant for specific advice - that would be the best way to get a clear idea of whether there is a problem and what you can do about it.
All the best

[Renee_AW]

How many feeds is he having all up? Having plenty of wet & dirty nappies is a good sign. Any other changes in his demeanor?
I'd recommend calling the ABA or speaking to a lactation consultant for specific advice - that would be the best way to get a clear idea of whether there is a problem and what you can do about it.
All the best

I spoke with ABA before I knew he had lost weight & they said that as long as he had the prescribed number of wet & dirty nappies and was not listless or had changes to his energy/behaviour then not to worry. It is the loss in weight that has us concerned.

He feeds about 7 times a day. Nappies are good and his demeanor is unchanged - he is still an alert, smiley & chatty 9 week old boy.

[kelebek]

it is scary when that happens and I would probably call the ABA and check what they have to say. It could have just been the week that things dropped off a little and next week you will have a gain. Where the scales the same? maybe that can explain the difference?
I personally would try to see if he would take a dream feed, keeping in mind that it can unsettle some babies or maybe squeeze an extra feed in there somewhere. Does he take both breasts when he feeds? if he doesn't you could try and offer both breasts?

Oh those early months are hard and I do think from the sounds of things you are doing a really good job!!

[onthefly]

Well, the only harm in waking him up to feed him is that you may stuff up the lovely sleep you're geting. so you can certainly try that if you want (assuming he'll cooperate and actually feed)
Maybe give it a week and see. I'd get onto an LC if there is continued weight loss or any other change that concerns you though. Sounds like he's doing pretty well for the time being anway

[Renee_AW]

Well, the only harm in waking him up to feed him is that you may stuff up the lovely sleep you're geting.

I am waking up once or twice during the night to express milk because the ache or engorgement wakes me up....I would much rather feed than express. I have once gotten him out of bed to feed in the middle of the night (a few weeks back now) and he didn't even appear to wake up - not sure how he would respond now.

I might phone the ABA & see what they say.

[onthefly]

Ah! Well then yeah, your biggest problem may be getting him to wake up.
Hopefully they'll be able to help you