Baby losing weight
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How old is your baby? It's normal for a baby to lose weight, they say 10% but really 12% isn't much more than that. Pumping is quite hard I think and usually gets much less milk than a baby feeding directly. Perhaps do a bit of a mix - breastmilk and top ups. Don't stress too much about pumping.
I felt like this with my first born and my baby ended up in hospital because of dehydration. I didn't want to give formula and my supply was really low. But over the mum guilt I started my baby on formula and now I realised I stressed over nothing. She's doing really well on it and it has taken a lot of stress off me as a mum even though my heart did break that we wasn't going to bond with my breastfeeding. But we bonded other ways, and aslong as she was nourished thats all I cared about. Mum guilt always hits hardš©
Iām in a similar situation. LO dropped down 15% of their birth weight. All the midwives say how healthy she is, itās just that her weight has been dropping. We had to go into hospital to have her assessed by a doctor and they said she was healthy, really strong and alert, and her blood tests etc all came back fine. Iām now on a feeding plan of breastfeeding, then giving her any milk Iāve expressed, and then topping up with formula. Expressing wise Iām only getting about 7 - 14ml but Iāve been told that any amount helps. I completely understand how you feel, Iāve been in tears most days as my emotions have been all over the place and Iām pretty sure itās been affecting my milk. Iāve only been topping up with formula for the last two days and when baby was weighed today sheād put on 90g and was up to 12.7% so weāre on the up now and hopefully it continues. I wanted to EBF but Iāve always been of the mindset that as long as my baby is fed Iāll feed her however I need to.
@Bridget he's 10 days old
@Roz it's so distressing isn't it. I also think my emotions are affecting my milk. Everything else about being a mum is great, I love him so much, just the feeding is so upsetting and distressing. Part of me wants to give up and just formula feed but I know it's not what's best for him and the judgement I'll get from family/others is not something I want. All his blood tests were fine too, it's just the weight. My boobs are pretty small and sometimes I've felt like they're filling but not much. He's being weighed on Sunday. My mum in particular is really pushing me to BF and I know it's what's best for him but I'm worried it's not going to be possible
I'm pumping and it's so painful and nothing is coming out
Are you putting baby on your chest (skin to skin) when pumping?? Pumping doesnāt release any oxytocin like breastfeeding your baby does so it doesnāt mean you have no supply, pumping might just not be for youā¤ļø have you also looked at foods that can help support milk supply? Xx
Just gone through what you have and it's the worst (but it does get better). Babe had lost 17.5% of birth weight at day 5 and we got admitted to hospital (she was 9lb3 at birth and between day 0 and day 5 we were solely BF). On readmission I pumped and got 60ml in one sitting and then my supply tanked (could get 5ml max out of each). Turns out cortisol (released during times of stress) completely inhibits oxytocin which is needed to have a good supply. So in hospital is not the best time for pumping... Throughout our stay I was told to double pump for 15 mins every 3 hours which I did religiously alongside her feeding plan (which at that point was on boob, feed anything expressed and then top up by 76ml of formula). We did this for 4 days in hospital and she went from -17% to -9% and we got discharged...
...I've been pumping at home since and still only get between 20-60ml between both during a session but only if she doesn't feed off them before hand. We're now at day 25, and following the feeding teams advice at regular check-ins, have reduced the formula down and are increasing BF. We're not there yet with fully BF but genuinely getting there and yesterday was the first day since going back into hospital where my breasts feel like they're filling again. It's a long road but it is going the right direction (were now 2.6%+ Birth weight) - were not there fully but drink lots of water, keep your calories up and enjoy the newborn cwtches - especially the golden skin to skin ones). Youve got this.
My little boy is 5 days old today and have been on a feeding plan since day 2. I had a traumatic birth ending in a cat 1 EMCS after already enduring 5 days in hospital in MAU and a long induction. I was incredibly stressed and tired and baby was sleepy and not interested in feeding. Got put on a breast then pump then formula feeding plan the same as yours and have been in bits as I want to EBF and it will be my only chance as Iām having a double mastectomy for being pre cancerous. I have my weigh today to find out if heās lost anything, the last few days his latch has been much better and my midwife has said I can trial not topping up but when I donāt he seems so hungry and wonāt settle so I cave to be able to have him sleep and me rest (Iāve been having about 3 hours sleep a night and no day naps) so Iāve been trying to pump with a hand pump since being out of hospital but I think I need an electric one. This morning at 4am I got 30ml so enough for just under his top upā¦
I may try to transition to pumping exclusively and using formula and cutting out the formula. But I just wanted to say I know how stressful it is! My supply definitely tanked under the stress of being in hospital, and the second I got home he latched. I wish I could help more! Iām just trying to remember that Iām trying to do best by my baby and thatās all I can do
@Emma do you feel like the pumping is helping? What pumps do you use? By double pumping do you mean both breasts? My team has suggested power pumping but I havenāt tried it yet and Iām considering getting an electric pump but Iām on a budget and Iām not sure whether to get wearable or plug in
We're struggling with weight gain too despite breastfeeding responsively and baby having a great latch. So far she's lost 8% of her birth weight and she's 14 days old today. When I pump I also get bare minimum but I know this isn't a reflection on my supply. I feel really deflated at the moment as I felt like it was going really well so struggling to understand the weight loss. We're now on a feeding plan of breast and then a 30ml formula top up at every feed. I have no issue with formula as our son was exclusively formula fed because breast feeding didn't work out at all. But I can't help but feel disappointed so completely understand your feelings. It's definitely challenging for a lot of people so just know you're not alone x
My baby lost 12% of their brith weight when I was in hospital and I was pumping. have u tried relaxing music when pumping. I found that it really helped. If u do go onto formula there is nothing wrong with it.