Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

My DD will be 4 weeks tomorrow. These first four weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotions with her infrequent bowel movements and weight gain. At one point, we started going to a gastrointerologist because of her lack of bowel movements. He had me supplement breastfeeding with formula. With that, she did gain weight a little faster and started pooping more frequently (still not happening every day). So today, we went back to the doctor (GI) and he was not happy with her weight gain - she gained 3.5 oz in 10 days. I had pulled back on the formula because I want to EBF, but the doctor was very unhappy with how little she gained. It's so upsetting that I am not producing enough for my DD and now have to go back to formula 3x/day. I know the average baby should gain .5 - 1 oz a day, but he made me feel like I starved her for 10 days This is so stressful

Re: Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

hang in there...keep pumping to increase your supply....and no matter what happens.....remember what a great job you are doing!

Re: Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

I know its stressful but if the doctor is concerned then you should be concerned.

Please do not equate your ability to produce enough milk with your mothering ability.

I would switch to formula if the doctor recommends it.

You are doing your best.

Re: Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

I'd follow the doctor's reccs now & supplement with formula.

You could also pump & save the pumped milk to feed your LO when it gets easier!

Re: Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

i had to supplement when DD wasn't gaining enough. it's very emotional, but i feel i did my best and some BM was better than none. we did both for 5 months! FM me if you have any questions!

Re: Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

We also had weight gain issues when DD was very young, and it definitely is an emotional rollercoaster when you are trying to BF and it is just not enough!!
We supplemented with formula and I hired a lactation consultant that slowly got us back on track and now we are EBF and have been since DD was about 2 1/2 months. (she is 8 1/2 months now).
I would definitely continue to supplement with formula, but don't give up on nursing. Hiring the LC was the BEST thing I did for our nursing/weight gain issues. FM me if you want her info

Re: Should I be REALLY worried about weight gain????

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and info. I did have a lactation consultant come to the house when the weight gain worries began. I am going to call her tomorrow. Like many of you have said, it is such an emotional roller coaster and DH has been so supportive, but he just doesn't understand why I get upset and then family members try to help and make suggestions but none of them ever breastfed. We are going to the pediatrician on Friday so I will discuss this with her and see where she stands on the weight gain issue. Again, thanks for your posts - it helps to know this is not something rare - that my body is not the only one that's not doing what nature intended it to do.