Low weight baby

[dashley111]

So here is my situation-

I have a 4 month old DD, who has always been a slow gainer, but in the last 2 months has dropped from the 50th percentile of "the charts" to the 16th.  In 2 months she gained 1 pound.  She is only currently 11 pounds.  She is definitely tiny, and in no way is her weight/height ratio disproportionate, she is just very tiny all around.

At our ped visit the other day he suggested I switch from the "on demand" feed schedule to one where she nurses 4-6 times a day.  Also, he suggested I don't comfort nurse (not an often occurance, as its just not my DD's thing).  The idea behind switching up the feeds is that she will be a bit hungrier if she doesnt eat for a longer period, and will eat MORE instead of just the snacking she is doing now (every 1-2 hours).

It just doesnt seem right to me!  I have nursed all my kids on demand and never had a problem.  Does anyone have some insight?  Experience?  Helpful suggestions?  Reassuring words? 

I try to be a confident nurser, and for the most part I am- but the lack of weight gain is making me question myself.

[Bokonon]

I'm afraid your doctor gave you horrible advice.  Limiting baby's feeds is not going to make her eat more.

I would highly recommend ditching that doctor and finding an IBCLC (certified lactation consultant) to help troubleshoot why baby might be on the small side.  There might not even be a problem at all - some babies are just smaller than others!

[dashley111]

I can see his point, and I should have elaborated- he suggested it because I expressed to him that when she does nurse its mostly "snacking" and is not taking in much.  I would imagine she is taking in about an ounce per feeding right now, and doing so every 1 to 2 hours. 

He is hoping that by spacing the feedings she will start to feed more vigorously and thus be consuming more.

I can see where he is coming from, but it still doesn't feel right   Im unsure if its just because I usually shrug off what the ped says or if Im just being stubborn.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by dashley111 

I can see his point, and I should have elaborated- he suggested it because I expressed to him that when she does nurse its mostly "snacking" and is not taking in much.  I would imagine she is taking in about an ounce per feeding right now, and doing so every 1 to 2 hours. 

He is hoping that by spacing the feedings she will start to feed more vigorously and thus be consuming more.

I can see where he is coming from, but it still doesn't feel right   Im unsure if its just because I usually shrug off what the ped says or if Im just being stubborn.

Without having pre- and post-feeding weights, there is really no way to tell how much baby is taking in.  Is she wetting adequate diapers, and pooping regularly?  Is she meeting milestones?

Making an infant wait for a feeding is cruel IMO.  Can you imagine how traumatic that would be for a baby who is used to feeding on cue, to suddenly deny their cries of hunger for hours?  The emotional impact would seem to me to be far worse than an otherwise healthy, but small baby.

A baby's stomach is only about the size of its fist.  Your baby will only nurse until she's full, so if that fullness is achieved in 3 oz., that's not going to be greater when the feedings are spaced.  And if limited to 4 feedings a day, she'd have to take in 6 oz. at each feeding to get to the average of 24 oz./day, which is a lot to ask of a breastfed baby.

[dashley111]

Originally Posted by Bokonon 

Making an infant wait for a feeding is cruel IMO.  Can you imagine how traumatic that would be for a baby who is used to feeding on cue, to suddenly deny their cries of hunger for hours?  The emotional impact would seem to me to be far worse than an otherwise healthy, but small baby.

I completely agree!  I think that is why Im having a hard time wrapping my mind around it...

[Breathless Wonder]

I've BTDT, with my 5 kids, who were all slow to gain.  You and your baby really need to be evaluated by an IBCLC to make sure that there is not an underlying issue on your or your baby's part.  This is what an IBCLC is for!

http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3432 

Do NOT follow your doctor's advice!!!