Here's some back story for those that don't know..
When Orson was born he lost 1kg because he wasn't getting enough milk. He was a very sleepy baby and i still don't know why that is but he never fed properly and because i didn't know he wasnt getting much i didnt think i needed help. I still cannot believe i pretty much starved him My milk supply was horrible even when i went on motillium. In the end he was comp fed with formula and then refused the breast all together at 4 months old.
Now Jackson is nearly 7 weeks old. Initially again my milk suppy was crap and he lost a little weight, not much, about 60g but he wouldnt gain it again. So i started fenugreek. My milk supply increased and he put on 140g in 6 days. The next week though (last week) he has lost 90g. Now the day before i weighed him, he did a massive poo that he'd been holding onto for 16 days. It filled 2 nappies. So i dunno if the weight loss was because of that?
I initially thought he was constipated however his poo was liquid, like it always is.
He has good wet nappies and his wee is hardly ever yellow, usually clear.
He is happy, content and alert.
He looks healthy and hydrated.
His attachment is good and i can hear him gulping the milk down. He feeds for round 10-15 mins each side but in saying that he spends most of his time on the breast. Whether tht is full on feeding, dreamfeeding or using me as a dummy. I don't mind this at all, in fact i love it. But shouldn't he be gaining lots of weight considering hes on the breat for around 20 hours of the day?
I'm lost and confused and im sinking deeper into dispair. I do not want this to fail. I do not want to travel down the same road as i did with Orson.
He feeds beautifully so why is his weight up and down?
Can a baby still be hungry if they are not crying? He hardly ever cries. He's either feeding, happy or asleep.
Everything sounds fine to me with regard to nappies, etc and him being alert and happy. I don't know about the weight loss . How often is he being weighed? It's much better to look at weight gain over a longer period, like a month for example. Like you mentioned, when bubs are so small something like a bowel movement (and a big one at that!) can make a big difference.
Honestly hun dont put to much pressure on yourself about his weight. Both my girls have always been 'under' etc. I say if they're healthy, not hungry, sleeping but not sleepy all the time. Then they're going well.
Barb will give the best advice. It sounds ok to me though....
M was up and down with his weight...and I found that after a pooh explosion that he lost weight.
He could be going throught his 6-8 week growth spurt to hun.
Everything you describe sounds spot on normal to me. If he wasn't 'getting' enough he'd be letting you know that he wants more
chicky...your doing a fabulous job and dont forget it
Maz, that's what i thought too that he'd cry if he was hungy. But orson never cried either. Just slept. I would have thought if he was hungry he'd be screaming?
So, he's awake and alert at least some of the time? If so then he doesn't sound like he's weak with hunger.
When they're little a big poo can certainly affect weight gains. Where is he at now, compared to birth? If he's gaining weight on the whole, then that's a good sign.
Is he growing - length & HC?
Hi,
It is such a shock to have your baby weighed and find that, although you felt things were going fine, your baby has lost weight.
OK, back to the basics. Babies normally feed 8-12 times in 24 hours. They usually poo at least once or twice per day.(after 12 weeks they can go for several days, a week or more or longer and it's normal - but this baby is only 6 weeks old!) for the benefit of other readers (not Antheia) it is not a good sign if a fully breastfed baby under 8 weeks of age goes a long time without a poo. Breastfed babies do not get constipated, so a lack of poo in a young baby is a very real indication that they are not getting enough milk - it needs to be investigated. Nor is it a good idea to reassure mothers that it can be normal for a baby to lose weight. You would expect a baby to be back to it's birthweight by 2 weeks of age and then gain at least 150g per week after that.
Any of these things can be a sign baby is getting not getting enough milk - and in almost every case it's just a matter of implementing a few strategies to ensure baby is getting enough and everything is back on track, but it's not a good idea to ignore it.
Antheia, you mentioned your baby is having 6-7 feeds in 24hrs, but that he is on the breast for 20 hours per day. Can you tell us a bit more about his feeding pattern?
Babies love being close to mum, so many will hang out with their mum, knowing that if her nipple is in their mouth she is not going anywhere. But they are not really feeding for all that time. I wonder if this could be the case with you? Some mums find it helpful to institute a pattern where baby has around 20 mins on 1 side, a burp, a nappy change and 20 mins on the other side - after that he might have a sleep or be happy to be carried in a sling etc. Temporarily, until things get back on track, make sure he feeds every 3 hours - day and night. If you wake him every 3 hours you will find that he will get at least 8 feeds in 24 hours. Many babies have a fussy period in the evening - you can squeeze in some extra feeds then.
I wonder, did you get him weighed with the health nurse? What did she say?
You are doing a great job, and usually these things can be sorted out and mums go on to breastfeed just fine
Sorry Barb, I didnt mean to step on toes Im only going on my experience and the guidance I received.
I apologise if any advice I gave was missleading T hon if your worried go to your doctor or a lacto IRL please ..its easier then us trying to 'guess' whats going on KWIM
Antheia, I know how difficult it is when your baby is not gaining weight and/or losing weight it's really upsetting isn't it. You will overcome all these challenges with the right support, that's for sure.
Is bub being weighed at the same clinic/same scales each time? I found with DD's weight issues we had to ensure she was put on the same scales every time so we knew exactly what her weight was doing..... I think that's really important thing.
Also, in your case, I think it's important bub gets weighed perhaps every 4-5 days rather than weekly just to keep a close eye on things. Can't hurt.
Also, can you get an IBCLC out to your house for a visit? It's so worth the $$. Barb may be able to recommend one for you?
Ah stuff it. I'm just going to give him formula. I cannot handle this anymore. I can't do anything right and i don't know how to fix it. I don't know WTF i'm doing
Thanks for all your advice but i guess i just don't understand how to BF properly. I wish i had someone here physically to help me. But unfort i do not have the money to spend on an LC or the ABA. I can't even afford my mortgage right now its so f'ed up.
Anyway you don't need to hear my dramas. Just wish i wasn't so useless to my children.
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Can't believe this is happening again! (Barb?)
My milk supply was horrible even when i went on motillium. In the end he was comp fed with formula and then refused the breast all together at 4 months old.
. How often is he being weighed? It's much better to look at weight gain over a longer period, like a month for example. Like you mentioned, when bubs are so small something like a bowel movement (and a big one at that!) can make a big difference.
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