Low birth weight:Help!

[Gunter]

I just had a five lb baby on Sunday morn around 3am at home. Totally awesome birth with no drugs or interventions. But she was 19 days early and I am trying not to worry about her low birth weight. She wieghed 5 lbs at birth and was 19 inches. Tall and lanky like DH.

Mid-wife came tonight and she weighed 4.85 lbs. I am breastfeeding but my colostrom came in late and my milk has not come in yet. I will call a lactation consultant tomorrow morning (Tuesday.). She didn't really latch on immediately even though I offered the breast, of course.

Can you help me not to flip out about her low weight and the loss of weight? I feel so helpless. It's hard to find info about low birth weight babes and how to be okay with their weight. I am trying to trust that she is okay!

We are doing lots of skin to skin and her temp is good. Reflexes and breathing are great! Apgar ws 8-9. Heartbeat is good. She cries strong and has good poopy and wet diapers.

I wil post her AWESOME birth story soon but I goota get some composure and help first about her weight. Poor girl, starting life with weight issues. So full of love for her that it's scary to think about her low weight. Especially b/c we're home and don't know what is normal since we are first time parents. I am trying to read and find encouragement. My MW and Doula have been awesome. Trying to trust.

TIA!!!!!!

[PortraitPixie]

:heartbeat :bouncy :heartbeat Congrats mamma!!!! :heartbeat :bouncy :heartbeat :bouncy

You are doing EVERYTHING RIGHT! Hang in there...she'll start gaining...

You're such a good mamma! :love

Take care of yourself...drink, eat and rest plenty. :hugs

[zjandosmom]

Congrats! I am part of the jan DDC,but wanted to respond. My ds1 was 4 lbs 15oz (he was preterm), but I was able to breastfeed him exclusively and he is fine. The only problem with tiny babies is that they tend to get tired very easily. Some tips I got from LLL were to pump off the first part of my milk so that the babe got the calorie-high hind milk (just until his weight picked up). Try to keep babe awake as long as possible and DON"T let them sleep for than a few hours between feedings during the day and probably no more than 4 hrs at night. To let them skip feedings starts you on a slippery slope of a weaker and weaker babe. The fact that you are getting lots of wet and poopy diapers is an excellent sign! Almost all babes lose weight at first so don't worry too much and just nurse that girl as much as she will take it!!

Congrats again on your new little girl,
Kathy

[samsmamma]

G - like I said in my other post, don't flip out. Babies always lose weight in the first few days before milk comes in - which can be 3-4 days after the birth. So maybe it will come today. You're doing everything right. Let us know how it goes with the LC.

[MamaFern]

its totally normal for baby to lose weight at first. elwynn went from 7 lbs 8 oz to 7 and didnt gain for quite a while.. i know 7LBS is more than 5LBS, but im sure she is healthy and has what she needs.. if you have good PP care and a good LC they will know if there is anything to worry about and your milk WILL come in..but it does take a few days :hug i know how hard it is not to worry about them when they are sooo tiny and fragile and new.. you go from your body doing everything naturally then suddenly they are outside of you and you have to think and worry about everything..food..warmth..comfort.... its not easy the first few days, but you are doing so well!

[flapjack]

Weight loss is normal, normal, normal. Babies carry extra water weight which they need to carry them through the stress of birth: and whilst waiting for mature milk to kick in (should be about 4 days pp with a first: sometimes earlier.) Was she weighed for the first time before or after her first feed? It could be that she was actually even smaller (which, whilst it sounds scary, means she might lose fractionally more.)
If she's struggling to latch, don't mess about or wait for a lactation consultant: call LLL immediately or get over to breastfeeding. Nipple shields can help in the early days, and really helped me when my first was tiny. You could be offering the breast at least every 90 minutes or so in these days, especially as she's so small.
Remember- she came early for a reason. The reason is she wanted out instead of in, milk instead of placenta goop. Trust your daughter :)
(Jammy git, you had a girl.... congratulations, btw)

[DreamsInDigital]

Studies show normal, healthy babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week of life. 10% of 5 pounds would be about 8 ounces. I know it seems like a lot, but just keep nursing, she'll gain it back when your milk comes in, and I agree with the advice to pump off the foremilk so she gets more hindmilk.

[Awaken]

Hey new mama :)

I had an almost identical situation with my first baby: born at 37.2 weeks (by u/s- 36.2 by when I knew he was concieved) and he was 5.5# and 18 inches.

He was very sleepy and not interested in nursing. I had to do all the work.

Basically, I never went more than 2 hrs without feeding him, day or night, for quite a while. We had to undress him to his diaper and keep stimulating him to suck, jiggling him gently, stroking his skin, etc to keep him going or he'd never eat. When my milk came in, he did have a hard time latching on due to engorgement- so be aware that may happen with such a tiny girl- do you have a good pump?

He did gain weight but now he is 3 and never has become interested in food and is super small for his age- some kids are just liek that.

It sounds like you are doing absolutely all you can- feeding her often, being in touch with a LC, doula, and midwife, monitoring her temps and diapers, lots of skin to skin contact- if all seems ok, then just keep doing what you're doing and getting the support you need and she will grow and thrive! :love

You're doing a great job, and congratualtions again!!

[MrsMoe]

Studies show normal, healthy babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week of life. 10% of 5 pounds would be about 8 ounces. I know it seems like a lot, but just keep nursing, she'll gain it back when your milk comes in, and I agree with the advice to pump off the foremilk so she gets more hindmilk.

Yup. Very true.

She will be just fine. Our family (cousins, aunts, uncles, myself, my mother etc) were all small babies (5-6 pounders) and we are all healthy folks with no complications that I have ever heard of post-birth.

[crsta33]

My mom's 2nd baby (my sister) was born at just under 5 lbs and she lost drasitically in the first few days b/c she couldn't keep a feeding down (the valve in her esophagus was underdeveloped and wouldn't stay closed properly). Mama still got to take her home (she stayed one extra day) with strict orders to keep her warm and fed.

So my mom's advice is...keep her consistently warm (sounds like you are doing that already), nurse her every 2 hours day and night, even if you have to wake her (I know that's daunting if you are already exhausted), and limit her contact with others (her doc actually ordered that the baby was to be held by no one but mama until she was gaining well). They did fine, Kerri began to gain, even though she still lost lots of feedings, and she didn't need to supplement. Kerri is still a tiny thing today...even though she was considered "early" smallness was just in her genetic code.

She'll start growing right before your very eyes. Relax and rest and enjoy your little one. Don't be afraid to call someone for help breastfeeding.


Christa

[Gunter]

what would i do without all you great encouraging, insightful mothers? It means so much to me. Thank you!

my milk came in yesterday afternoon. yay. she is feeding well. lots of skin to skin contact.

[crsta33]

Glad you are both doing well!

Christa

[spiritmomma]

My sister was born under 5lbs, my brother at just over 4lbs. They are both happy, healthy adults. I was the biggest baby in my sibling group at just over 6lbs! I definitely wouldn't worry. It sounds like you are doing every thing you should be and are making very informed decisions about how to care for yourself and your daughter! Congratulations on your new little one and your new life as a mom!

Much Love and Many Blessings!

[MrsMoe]

what would i do without all you great encouraging, insightful mothers? It means so much to me. Thank you!

my milk came in yesterday afternoon. yay. she is feeding well. lots of skin to skin contact.


good news :hug