When my baby was born he lost 4% of his weight. Over the next 20 days his weight gain was very slow and gradual (the same as my daughters as babies). I didn't get discharged until day 20, my baby was weighed every second day either in the health centre or at home and it was very stressful, especially with being sore after birth. I attended peads 3 times for weight concerns and jaundice.
This is my third baby and I feel some first times moms could be put off breastfeeding with all the stress involved in the weight gain side of things. Breastfed babies tend to gain weight a lot slower than formula fed babies. Only this is my 3rd baby and I attended multiple breastfeeding support groups I know this totally normal but other moms may not know and give up... Friends of mine have given up for this reason.
Even now I'm being told to pump and top up multiple times a day which in itself is hard work. Peads have told me 3 times he is perfect and his bloodwork is normal and this is still ongoing, which I find very tiring and unnecessary as my babies do tend to be small up until 20 weeks+ mark.
He breastfeeds great and is content, his output avg is 10 wet and 4/5 dirty nappies a day. He's alert! My latch has been observed by multiple people including the paediatric doctors and nurses and they've all said it is a great latch and also in all my support groups. I feel the way the weight gain is approached needs to be looked over, especially if peadiactrics confirm baby is ok and thriving, and monitored more spread out with a more lax, calm approach. Maybe once a week or fortnight would be less stressful than every other day.
Thanks.
"Breastfed babies and weight monitoring"
About: Community Midwifery Services / Community Infant Breastfeeding service Community Midwifery Services Community Infant Breastfeeding service BT47 6SB
Posted by Unkxn47 (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Claire Graham