weight loss in baby

[bridgetteq]

baby is 15 days old today. he weighed 9.3 pounds at birth and today at home on the mechanical nursery scale he was 7.5. he nurses well and often. he's not been to see the dr yet and i can only imagine what they would say. should i be concerned about the weight loss? should i give him some formula? any advice would be great!! i just don't want to do wrong. this is my 7th child, but the first time we are trying to do things a more natural way.

[kristen1978]

Please do NOT supplement with formula!! Your DC has lost more weight than is normal, though. I would see a lactation consultant ASAP. Most peds can't offer help for breastfeeding (at least, not the ones around here!).

Good luck!

[alegna]

Assorted thoughts in no particular order:

different scales with different weights does not necessarily mean weight loss

if you had an IV in labor his birth weight was inflated with fluid weight

how often is he nursing?

do you have an IBCLC you can meet with?

how are his diapers?

good luck!

-Angela

[PatioGardener]

Congratulations on your new little one!

My calculations say that he has lost over 20% of birth weight.

Definitely see a LC asap.

Is he having at least 6 heavy wet diapers a day? (The same as if you took 3 table spoons of water and wet the diaper?) How much is he pooping? If he isn't having the 6 heavy wet diapers a day there is a risk that he is dehydrated and you should see a doctor or midwife immediately. Here is some good info on kellymom:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/en...lk.html#enough

There are several explanations for weight loss that are not dangerous: the scales may be wrong, or perhaps you got lots of IV fluids during birth and he was 'water logged' and peed it off.

But a 20% weight loss can be really dangerous for the baby, so it is important to confirm that everything is going well. Can you get him weighed on the same scale where he was born? If so, do this on Sunday. Don't wait until Monday.

Your LC will be able to help with this. First it is important to find out if he is breastfeeding OK, transferring milk well, and if this huge weight loss was a from a faulty scale!



I hope you get this figured out really soon.

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

Have you been using this scale all along? If scale weight is correct, than that is FAR too much weight loss! Yes you need an IBCLC but also an MD. An IBCLC is meant to work w/ an MD but never as a substitute. I can not emphasize how important it is for you to get your baby evaluated immediately.
Normally a baby loses 7-10% of birthweight in the first few days but should have regained it all and be back to original birthweight by 10-14 days of age.
How is everything else? How many urine and BM's each day? Is baby's skin color and/or whites of eyes at all yellow? How is your milk supply?
Please seek help for your baby immediately. If the weight is correct then this is an urgent matter and should not wait until Monday.
Until this situation is evaluated, you should be supplementing the baby either with screened donor milk or formula until a health care professional has said otherwise.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Breastfeeding Insomniac

Please seek help for your baby immediately. If the weight is correct then this is an urgent matter and should not wait until Monday.

:

Breastfeeding Insomniac said it better than me.

[bridgetteq]

thanks for your responses! this isn't the same scale that was used at the hospital and it doesn't seem very accurate; if baby moves around it'll give half a pound different weight! a friend loaned me an electronic scale yesterday and he weighed 7.14. he wets the diapers often but only poops once a day. he nurses a lot but does seem to be a lazy nurser. i have to jostle him awake often. he seems fine--alert when he is awake.

[twilight girl]

Originally Posted by Breastfeeding Insomniac

Normally a baby loses 7-10% of birthweight in the first few days but should have regained it all and be back to original birthweight by 10-14 days of age.

Well, my DD did not regain her original birth weight (inflated by IV fluids during labor) until 1 month, and she was perfectly healthy, hydrated, alert and meeting other milestones appropriately. So, there is a little variation in that.

With my DS born here in Costa Rica, the pediatricians don't weigh them again until one month, which is when they expect to see them back up or gaining over their birth weight. (They do see them at 2 weeks, but they do not weigh them at that point).

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by bridgetteq

thanks for your responses! this isn't the same scale that was used at the hospital and it doesn't seem very accurate; if baby moves around it'll give half a pound different weight! a friend loaned me an electronic scale yesterday and he weighed 7.14. he wets the diapers often but only poops once a day. he nurses a lot but does seem to be a lazy nurser. i have to jostle him awake often. he seems fine--alert when he is awake.

7#14oz is still more than 10% of weight loss and at 2 wks old, you should be at least getting close to the birthweight again. My kids all took over 2 wks, but they were close by 2 wks, w/in ozs. You didn't answer about his color. If he's not eating enough for some reason, he could be getting jaundiced. Are his eyes white? I would see someone, whether it be a DR or a LLL leader or a IBCLC or anyone w/ a medical grade scale to see where you are at. They can also watch you nurse and weigh baby afterwards to see how much baby is taking in.

[bridgetteq]

yes he is a bit yellow and his eyes are as well. BUT the yellow is lessening. it isn't near as yellow as before. maybe i will go see the lactation consultant at the hospital. i am so disappointed.

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by bridgetteq

yes he is a bit yellow and his eyes are as well. BUT the yellow is lessening. it isn't near as yellow as before. maybe i will go see the lactation consultant at the hospital. i am so disappointed.

Please try not to be disappointed, you're doing what you can. As a mom whose had to supplement all 3 babies, it's hard, but you CAN do it, even if you have to use some formula or milk from another mom. It doesn't make you any less of a mother, it might make you a better one b/c you have to work at it. I would have them do a heel stick wherever you go to check on the jaundice. Even if it's getting better, you should know where it's at to have a base level especially if you're dealing w/ some supply issues right now.

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

Originally Posted by twilight girl

Well, my DD did not regain her original birth weight (inflated by IV fluids during labor) until 1 month, and she was perfectly healthy, hydrated, alert and meeting other milestones appropriately. So, there is a little variation in that.

I am well aware of the fact that not all babies have regained birth weight. But this baby had a loss greater than 20% which is EXTREMELY dangerous and a HUGE indication of needing help ASAP. IV fluids have never pumped a baby up enough to justify a loss this significant.

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

To the OP....
I posted here already and also sent you a pm regarding this. Honestly I have worried and lost sleep over your baby since your original post. You say now that "maybe" you will take baby to see an LC. It is an urgent matter! Not a maybe issue. Also any LC is going to want you to see a pediatrician bc an IBCLC is not substitute for a pediatric exam, and at this point with a loss that significant, then a ped exam is very necessary. Also a message board should never be a substitute for medical advice. Its a great place for sharing and learning, but in your situation, you should be seeking professional help for your baby. I am normally never harsh, but this situation has me very upset and worried about your baby.

[miche28]

Please let us know how you and your LO are doing.

I can hear that you're feeling sad and disappointed that breastfeeding is not going as smoothly as you expected and worried that breastfeeding may not work out.

The weight loss you're describing means you need help. Breastfeeding doesn't always get off to the right start and some babies need help to make it work - nature isn't perfect, but your baby is so lucky to be able to benefit from the best of medicine and nature.

There are scores of mamas here who had enormous issues and lots of intervention who, with good help and support, went on to have long, normal, healthy breastfeeding relationships. But, the longer you wait, the more dangerous the situation becomes for your baby and the fewer options you'll have to salvage your breastfeeding relationship.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!

[bridgetteq]

hi all. things are going ok with baby. he is gaining now. i am giving him formula ): NOT what i wanted to do. i am pumping as well and giving him that milk before i feed the formula. BUT i am not getting much AT ALL when i pump. only about 2 ounces total!! i've never had a problem with not producing enough. so i guess maybe that is why is weight gain was slow. i am taking fenugreek and mothers milk tea to help with production. i really wanted to nurse my baby BUT at least i would hope to be able to pump and feed that way but there is so little milk to give him. sigh!! now when i do put him to nurse he gets very frustrated. the bottle really is easier for them i guess!

[katheek77]

Could you try an SNS instead of a bottle?

[anewmama]

My baby did not regain her birth weight and I went on the side of caution and supplemented for 3 weeks. But we didn't have to supplement much, no more than 4 ounces a day. We also used a SNS and fed pumped milk when we could. As soon as she regained her weight and seemed to be headed upwards, I stopped supplementing. She has been breast fed since though her weight gain is still slow. But DH and I are both petite folks so I don't expect her to end up with rolls of fat and be larger. SHe seems quite healthy at last 6 month exam.

Just keep with pumping, consider Domperidone, drink lots of H2O and all that and hopefully you can stop with the formula soon.

[anewmama]

Originally Posted by Breastfeeding Insomniac

To the OP....
I posted here already and also sent you a pm regarding this. Honestly I have worried and lost sleep over your baby since your original post. You say now that "maybe" you will take baby to see an LC. It is an urgent matter! Not a maybe issue. Also any LC is going to want you to see a pediatrician bc an IBCLC is not substitute for a pediatric exam, and at this point with a loss that significant, then a ped exam is very necessary. Also a message board should never be a substitute for medical advice. Its a great place for sharing and learning, but in your situation, you should be seeking professional help for your baby. I am normally never harsh, but this situation has me very upset and worried about your baby.

I appreciate you saying that.

[GooeyRN]

I am happy you are supplementing some. I was worried. I would suggest using an SNS or finger feeding before using bottles. I don't want to see you have a problem with nipple preference in the future. Or atleast use a very slow flow bottle held upright so they have to work super hard to get the milk. And have dad or a sibling feed with the bottle so the baby knows that if you are the one feeding them it will be from your breast.

[thepeach80]

What bottle are you using? We used the Playtex Ventaire bottles w/ slow flow b/c baby HAS to suck to get anything out, just like bfing. Ilana had a weak suck as well which hindered nursing well and this bottle helped that too. We still use them even though we're not nursing anymore.