Pediatrician says my daughter "looks malnourished" - Page 2

[neostudded]

They both look like very helthy normal babies!!

[Banana731]

I just wanted to let you know that my dd2 is was 11lbs and change at 7mo when we went to see her doctor, and he said the exact opposite of what your DR did, that dd "looked great" and he was not concerned about her weight as long as she was gaining "on her own curve," as he put it. He is very BF supportive. She has plenty of wet diapers and pooped once or twice a week while only BF. She has hit all her milestones, thus far and has always been alert, content, and awake(a little too often for my taste, lol!) She's just little. I hope that makes you feel a little better.

[GooeyRN]

Congrats on bfing twins! She does look a little thin, but I wouldn't say malnourished. It is good that she is meeting all of her milestones. Her poops do seem a bit infrequent, but as others said, its hard to say what is "normal" in a bf baby past one month old. If her wets are REAL wet, that is a good thing.

I would not bf either child less, but I would let your dd eat first and as often as she wants. (since you supplement your ds anyway) Giving a little formula is not a bad thing if there are weight gain issues. Do what you can to increase your supply, and always bf before offering a supplement. I would suggest pumping after every feed to help increase your supply, but I assume you already have enough to do with young twins. If you can, pump for a few minutes as soon as they go down for a nap, if they nap at the same times. You are one person with 2 young babies dependent on you, don't beat yourself up if you can't pump often.

You are doing a wonderful thing by bfing your twins. Most people would not even consider trying to. Your kids are lucky to have you. Be gentle on yourself. It is ok to give a little formula if need be. Remember, even if your twins only get a tiny bit of breast milk each day, it is better than none at all and it means you are doing a great job! Good luck pumping at work!!! I hope it goes well for you.

[loraxc]

I think her gain of only 4 oz is kind of alarming, yes. My DS was gaining very slowly (about 8 oz in a month) and I did end up supplementing. It was a really HARD decision but I could immediately tell it had been the right one, as he just started seeming...better...after I started. He is now somewhat delayed in large motor skills and although they actually think it's a separate issue, I can't help wondering if not getting enough food for a while affected him. He did/does have a poor suck. Have you tried a weigh and feed?

[homewithtwinsmama]

I have had boy girl twins. My daughter was 4lb 7 oz when I took her home from the hospital. She was a slow gainer who hit all her milestones right on as well. She never was on the growth chart until she was 3 years old. But, two things. She was growing steadily within her own curve. Also, on a bf growth chart from the WHO she was in the 20th %ile and so technically "on a chart". I ignored all advice to supplement and she is now a 90 lb ten year old in the 75%ile for height as well. Was exclusively breastfed for nearly a year (uninterested in solids until then even when offered). I would say get a new ped (I did) to get off the harassment train. Ask some LLL leaders who are the good peds in the area.

[homewithtwinsmama]

I see arm chubs and finger dimples on that baby. She looks perfect to me and like all four of my first kids who were not fat babies, but were healthy slow growers. My first twin daughter was only 15lbs at one year old. My current singleton babe is 13 and 1/2 at 3 months. She is just different than all her sibs even though all five have been exclusive breastfeeders.