BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

So we brought Gabby to the doctor on Friday (She was 18 days old) and when they weighed her she only gained 2 oz since she left the hospital. The doctor was a little concerned and suggested that over the weekend I give her a few oz of formula after every feeding and then go back on today to see if she's gained any weight.

I typically feed her every 3 hours (sometimes earlier if she's hungrier or sometimes at 4 hours if she's sleeping at night). But never longer than a 4hr stretch. She will typically feed for 20-30 mins on each side pretty much continuously unless she starts to get sleepy and I have to stimulate her to keep her up or take her clothes off!

I know that I am making a lot of milk and I am eating healthy, drinking water and milk (nothing diet), and still taking my prenatal...I'm not sure what else I can do to make my milk more nutritional for her...My mom had the same problem when she was nursing me and after a few weeks of me not gaining weight, I was diagnosed with "failure to thrive" and my mom had to switch to formula.

Obviously I'd like to stick with BFing but I need to do what is best for my DD. I can't help but get down on myself for failing her...even though I know I am doing everything I can.

Has anyone else had this problem? It's really breaking my heart

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

first of all

it seems to me that other than the weight gain she is doing really well! she is sleeping solid stretches and that is great.

i would not resort to formula just yet. during the day, wake her every 2 hours to eat. continue to let her sleep as long as she wants at night. you can always start waking her at night to eat if she still isn't gaining.

if you have trouble keeping her up strip her down to just her diaper in a cool room and tickle her hands or feet.

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

Have you contacted a lactation consultant? It is possible your DD is not latching correctly, and therefore not getting enough milk, even though you are producing enough. A LC can check for a good latch and give you other suggestions.

You may also want to try feeding her more often, perhaps every two hrs. I think that a LC would be a big help for you though!

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

I had to do the same thing b/c my Alli was still losing weight at her 2 week check up. Once we gave her the formula after the BFing and went back a week later she was finally gaining weight and almost back up to her birth weight. After that my dr gave me the ok to go back to EBF.
Now since i consulted a LC we found out that part of the problem is that i just don't produce enough milk. So i'm still BFing and supplementing with formula.
I would do what the dr says and supplement for a week and also consult a LC they're alot of help.

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

I understand how you are feeling, but don't beat yourself up over it! I agree with trying to find out if his latch is good. You could also try pumping and giving him pumped BM in a bottle. This is one of the suggestions my PED gave us when DS was born. When we left the hospital my DS had lost too much weight and by his first appt. was not gaining enough. She said to nurse him and then supplement with a bottle after nursing.

My issue was more supply, I was getting almost nothing when I pumped and ended up having to give DS formula. I also felt like a failure and would be constantly bursting into tears over it. My DH kept telling me the most important thing is that DS was healthy and if that meant formula that was fine! I knew he was right but still it hurt me to not be able to feed him properly. Eventually I was able to get my supply up and go to EBF. But in the beginning he needed nourishment so I had to do whatever it took to make sure he was fed.

Good Luck and try not to beat yourself up

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

My dd did not gain weigt at her 3 week visit, and my dr put me in a panic. In the end I changed very little and she started gaining weight normally again. I know its stressful, but Just do the best you can don't give up on bfing yet.

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

Re: BFing Mom: DD is 3w and only gained a few oz

samething happened to me I had to stop breastfeeding because it was getting to be to stressful for me and I couldn't keep up with her demand. So I had to switch to formula only about a week ago and she is doing great and I'm more relaxed. Happy Baby Happy Mommy