Comments on: Look at the Baby, Not the Scale http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html No one knows your child better than you do Sat, 13 Nov 2010 22:56:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-14#comment-3669 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 13 Nov 2010 22:40:11 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3669 She is 4 months old and has gained almost 4 lbs. Was 7 lbs. 6 oz. her lowest weight AFTER birth or her birth weight? You are supposed to figure her weight from her lowest weight after birth. Most babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first 2-3 days following birth. Her gain is within average weight gain and she is meeting all her developmental milestones and healthy. If you are wanting to increase her weight gain the first line of defense is to nurse more often when you're together. This will also stimulate your supply to increase. I would recommend nursing every 60-90 minutes in the evening when you're together. You will increase by 2-3 nursings per day simply by spacing those evening nursings closer together. Hope that helps. She is 4 months old and has gained almost 4 lbs. Was 7 lbs. 6 oz. her lowest weight AFTER birth or her birth weight? You are supposed to figure her weight from her lowest weight after birth. Most babies lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first 2-3 days following birth. Her gain is within average weight gain and she is meeting all her developmental milestones and healthy.

If you are wanting to increase her weight gain the first line of defense is to nurse more often when you're together. This will also stimulate your supply to increase. I would recommend nursing every 60-90 minutes in the evening when you're together. You will increase by 2-3 nursings per day simply by spacing those evening nursings closer together.

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Emily http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-14#comment-3665 Emily Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:51:26 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3665 My daughter was born July 2 2010 and weighed 7lbs 6oz. I nursed her exclusively until I had to return to work in mid-October. Her babysitter feeds her my expressed milk as well as formula (I don't get enough expressed milk for a full day's feeding even though I pump 3x a day at work) during the week, but I nurse her exclusively (every 2.5 hours)in the evenings and on weekends. She sleeps through the night, but I even wake her up at 1am and nurse her just to get the extra calories in her. She had her 4month check up this week and she only weighed 11lbs 2 oz. This is a very slow gain and I am worried about her. Her doctor said he wasn't worried about her slow gain because she has met all of her milestones and is otherwise healhty, but he did recommend starting solids this month. I don't feel ready for that yet. I'm only 5'3'' and my husband is 5'9'', so we're not necessarily tall people, and I have lost quite a bit of weight, though I wasn't trying to do so. Since giving birth to her I have lost about 55 lbs. I wonder if my weight loss has something to do with her slow gain. Is that dumb? My daughter was born July 2 2010 and weighed 7lbs 6oz. I nursed her exclusively until I had to return to work in mid-October. Her babysitter feeds her my expressed milk as well as formula (I don't get enough expressed milk for a full day's feeding even though I pump 3x a day at work) during the week, but I nurse her exclusively (every 2.5 hours)in the evenings and on weekends. She sleeps through the night, but I even wake her up at 1am and nurse her just to get the extra calories in her. She had her 4month check up this week and she only weighed 11lbs 2 oz. This is a very slow gain and I am worried about her. Her doctor said he wasn't worried about her slow gain because she has met all of her milestones and is otherwise healhty, but he did recommend starting solids this month. I don't feel ready for that yet.

I'm only 5'3'' and my husband is 5'9'', so we're not necessarily tall people, and I have lost quite a bit of weight, though I wasn't trying to do so. Since giving birth to her I have lost about 55 lbs. I wonder if my weight loss has something to do with her slow gain. Is that dumb?

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-14#comment-3519 Cheryl Taylor Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:54:26 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3519 It is not unusual for a baby to have a period of not gaining weight, or gaining little weight, when they are teething and right up to the eruption of a new tooth and also when they are beginning to learn to sit up, crawl and walk because there is a spurt of activity that burns extra calories. Weighing every week can drive a mom crazy! :) Feeding her closer together during all your waking hours is definitely the first step if you are concerned. She may be so active learning new things that she doesn't signal to nurse as often as she WILL nurse happily if offered. It certainly doesn't hurt to offer more often. My first recommendation is always to nurse every 60-90 min and monitor wettings. I never recommend solids prior to a minimum of six months and don't ever recommend processed infant cereals. Steamed veggies and ripe fruit are the best place to start, bearing in mind that solids in the first year for a breastfed baby are merely for experimentation with textures but not an issue of quantity or nutrition, whose needs are being met completely with breastmilk. <a href="http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-so...</a> Hope this helps. It is not unusual for a baby to have a period of not gaining weight, or gaining little weight, when they are teething and right up to the eruption of a new tooth and also when they are beginning to learn to sit up, crawl and walk because there is a spurt of activity that burns extra calories.

Weighing every week can drive a mom crazy! :) Feeding her closer together during all your waking hours is definitely the first step if you are concerned. She may be so active learning new things that she doesn't signal to nurse as often as she WILL nurse happily if offered. It certainly doesn't hurt to offer more often. My first recommendation is always to nurse every 60-90 min and monitor wettings.

I never recommend solids prior to a minimum of six months and don't ever recommend processed infant cereals. Steamed veggies and ripe fruit are the best place to start, bearing in mind that solids in the first year for a breastfed baby are merely for experimentation with textures but not an issue of quantity or nutrition, whose needs are being met completely with breastmilk.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-so…

Hope this helps.

]]> By: Dimi http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-14#comment-3507 Dimi Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:26:56 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3507 I'm a little bit worried about my daughter's very slow weight gain in this last month or so. She is meeting all her milestones and is a very active and happy little girl. She was born on April 13, 2010, weighing 3235 g and with a length of 49 cm. She has averaged a weight gain of between 150-200 g per week. From when she was very little, around 6 weeks, she started sleeping all through the night, but she continued to gain as she did before, with 6 feedings every 3 hours during the day. At around 12 weeks, her weight gain started to slow down but now it has been since the end of August that her weight fluctuates between 6600 and 6700 grams. I weighed her last night and she weighed 6740 g (14.9 lbs). The highest she has reached is 6760 g in mid September. When we went for a check up at the start of September, she was 63 cm in length. I live in Italy and it's totally the norm to weigh your child on a weekly basis, that's why I have the scale. It seems to be accurate as the numbers always mathch up to when she gets checked at the doctor's or even at the hospital in her first visits shortly after being born. I understand that babies are supposed to start gaining less at a certain point, but is it normal to gain nothing at all for weeks and to fluctuate like this? Could this slow growth be just because she is so active? Her hair and nails are growing, she used to feed every 3 hours, but when I saw that she was not gaining, I started feeding her every 2, but I see it still makes no difference. Should I go ahead and start her on some rice cereal and see if that helps? Thanks for any feedback you can give me. I really appreciate it. Dimi I'm a little bit worried about my daughter's very slow weight gain in this last month or so. She is meeting all her milestones and is a very active and happy little girl. She was born on April 13, 2010, weighing 3235 g and with a length of 49 cm. She has averaged a weight gain of between 150-200 g per week. From when she was very little, around 6 weeks, she started sleeping all through the night, but she continued to gain as she did before, with 6 feedings every 3 hours during the day. At around 12 weeks, her weight gain started to slow down but now it has been since the end of August that her weight fluctuates between 6600 and 6700 grams. I weighed her last night and she weighed 6740 g (14.9 lbs). The highest she has reached is 6760 g in mid September. When we went for a check up at the start of September, she was 63 cm in length.

I live in Italy and it's totally the norm to weigh your child on a weekly basis, that's why I have the scale. It seems to be accurate as the numbers always mathch up to when she gets checked at the doctor's or even at the hospital in her first visits shortly after being born.

I understand that babies are supposed to start gaining less at a certain point, but is it normal to gain nothing at all for weeks and to fluctuate like this? Could this slow growth be just because she is so active? Her hair and nails are growing, she used to feed every 3 hours, but when I saw that she was not gaining, I started feeding her every 2, but I see it still makes no difference. Should I go ahead and start her on some rice cereal and see if that helps?

Thanks for any feedback you can give me. I really appreciate it.

Dimi

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-12#comment-3500 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:59:24 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3500 Are your babies being breastfed? If they are not, then I would suspect that the formula is causing constipation, which is a common problem. It can be difficult to end up breastfeeding with preemies with the difficulties that can be present in the beginning weeks. It is possible to relactate and bring in supply. Even some breastfeeding could make a remarkable change in their nutrition. Are your babies being breastfed? If they are not, then I would suspect that the formula is causing constipation, which is a common problem. It can be difficult to end up breastfeeding with preemies with the difficulties that can be present in the beginning weeks. It is possible to relactate and bring in supply. Even some breastfeeding could make a remarkable change in their nutrition.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-12#comment-3498 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:46:08 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3498 An exclusively breastfed baby often packs on rolls of fat until they begin to crawl and learn to walk. The weight gain in the first half of the first year SHOULD be dramatically more than in the second half of the first year. Babies are not as physically active as they are between 6 and 12 mo. Nursing should stay the predominance of an infant's diet until at least one year old, so frequent nursings with a very small amount of solids added is fine. Hope that helps. An exclusively breastfed baby often packs on rolls of fat until they begin to crawl and learn to walk. The weight gain in the first half of the first year SHOULD be dramatically more than in the second half of the first year. Babies are not as physically active as they are between 6 and 12 mo. Nursing should stay the predominance of an infant's diet until at least one year old, so frequent nursings with a very small amount of solids added is fine.

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3497 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:41:29 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3497 You cannot judge your milk supply by how much you can pump. Some women do not letdown well for a pump even though they have a full supply. I would not recommend mixing bottle feeding into the situation where you're working on improving latch from a recently clipped tight frenulum. If you are concerned about weight gain the first step would be to nurse every 60-90 minutes from beginning of nursing to beginning of nursing during all of your waking hours. You cannot judge your milk supply by how much you can pump. Some women do not letdown well for a pump even though they have a full supply. I would not recommend mixing bottle feeding into the situation where you're working on improving latch from a recently clipped tight frenulum. If you are concerned about weight gain the first step would be to nurse every 60-90 minutes from beginning of nursing to beginning of nursing during all of your waking hours.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3494 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:35:25 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3494 I think you are on track with spacing nursings closer together at least all during your waking hours. It's not that unusual for a baby to gain a larger than "normal" amount of weight in the first couple of months and then slow the pace of weight gain down over the next couple of months. You've already been through checking to make sure all other areas are exactly on track as they should be. I think it's best for baby to wait until a minimum of six months before introducing any solids. More frequent nursings should give you a little bit more gain that you are looking for, but be prepared for a happy, alert, active baby that is near learning to sit and crawl to be burning off a lot of what they take in. Some babies are slender but very healthy, and that may be where your son falls. Hope that helps. I think you are on track with spacing nursings closer together at least all during your waking hours. It's not that unusual for a baby to gain a larger than "normal" amount of weight in the first couple of months and then slow the pace of weight gain down over the next couple of months. You've already been through checking to make sure all other areas are exactly on track as they should be. I think it's best for baby to wait until a minimum of six months before introducing any solids. More frequent nursings should give you a little bit more gain that you are looking for, but be prepared for a happy, alert, active baby that is near learning to sit and crawl to be burning off a lot of what they take in. Some babies are slender but very healthy, and that may be where your son falls.

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3491 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:24:34 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3491 It sounds like you already KNOW what the real problem is...none of these weights were taken on the same scale or in the same situation. I agree with you that there is no reason to supplement instead of breastfeeding if wettings are good. Yes, breastfed babies can have bowel movements infrequently...even longer than 10 days. The key is what the consistency of the BM is when it makes its appearance. The first thing I recommend for anyone that is concerned with weight gain is to nurse every 60-90 minutes from beginning of nursing to beginning of nursing. Offer one breast until baby slows down then switch to the second side and nurse until he stops. Hope that helps. It sounds like you already KNOW what the real problem is…none of these weights were taken on the same scale or in the same situation. I agree with you that there is no reason to supplement instead of breastfeeding if wettings are good. Yes, breastfed babies can have bowel movements infrequently…even longer than 10 days. The key is what the consistency of the BM is when it makes its appearance. The first thing I recommend for anyone that is concerned with weight gain is to nurse every 60-90 minutes from beginning of nursing to beginning of nursing. Offer one breast until baby slows down then switch to the second side and nurse until he stops.

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3490 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:19:43 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3490 It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with nursing. 16 lbs. 8 oz. for a 7 mo. old is not remarkably small simply because it isn't at the top of the charts for the US. Consider her genetic makeup...how tall are you? how tall is her father? Sometimes it helps to imagine that there is an "average" size for a 30 yr old male...and it applies to the 6' 7" men as well as the 5' 2" man. It's ludicrous yes? The charts make just as much sense for babies. What you should be looking at is how is she nursing? are her developmental milestones on track? is she wetting well? alert?, hair shiny? eyes bright? Don't be so stressed with the number on the scale or where it falls in line with all the rest of the babies in the US if everything else is going perfectly. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with nursing. 16 lbs. 8 oz. for a 7 mo. old is not remarkably small simply because it isn't at the top of the charts for the US. Consider her genetic makeup…how tall are you? how tall is her father? Sometimes it helps to imagine that there is an "average" size for a 30 yr old male…and it applies to the 6' 7" men as well as the 5' 2" man. It's ludicrous yes? The charts make just as much sense for babies. What you should be looking at is how is she nursing? are her developmental milestones on track? is she wetting well? alert?, hair shiny? eyes bright? Don't be so stressed with the number on the scale or where it falls in line with all the rest of the babies in the US if everything else is going perfectly.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3488 Cheryl Taylor Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:11:46 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3488 Gaining a full pound in six weeks, wetting well, good bowel movements, active nurser is NOT FTT. You are correct that your breastmilk is better in fat than formula and a FAR superior fat at that. Formula is NOT higher in calorie than breastmilk is. Your Ped's information is very simply inaccurate. Remember that supplementing with your breastmilk 8-10 oz per day means that there is that much less stimulation at the breast from nursing. Nursing is by far the priority. How long have you been dairy free? A reaction to dairy can cause a lower weight gain, so don't be surprised if you see weight gain improve as you are off of dairy longer. Be vigilant about keeping out ALL dairy from all sources. Have you checked into your local La Leche League group? It would help you a lot to be around some breastfeeding knowledgeable people that can offer you some good support in the wonderful job that you are doing. Hope that helps. Gaining a full pound in six weeks, wetting well, good bowel movements, active nurser is NOT FTT. You are correct that your breastmilk is better in fat than formula and a FAR superior fat at that. Formula is NOT higher in calorie than breastmilk is. Your Ped's information is very simply inaccurate. Remember that supplementing with your breastmilk 8-10 oz per day means that there is that much less stimulation at the breast from nursing. Nursing is by far the priority.

How long have you been dairy free? A reaction to dairy can cause a lower weight gain, so don't be surprised if you see weight gain improve as you are off of dairy longer. Be vigilant about keeping out ALL dairy from all sources.

Have you checked into your local La Leche League group? It would help you a lot to be around some breastfeeding knowledgeable people that can offer you some good support in the wonderful job that you are doing.

Hope that helps.

]]> By: Amber http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3483 Amber Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:02:20 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3483 We need some help! Here's Levi's stats and other info. Birth - 7lb 3oz Discharge from hospital 6lb 11oz 1wk - 7lbs 2wk - 7lb 4oz 3wk - 7lb 6oz 4wk - 7lb 9oz 5wk - 7lb 11oz 6wk - 7lb 11oz * Poops on a regular schedule - once every other day, or every 3rd day. Been this way for three weeks. * We have 8-10 wet diapers daily. * He nurses every 45-90 minutes during the day, every 3-4hrs at night. He nurses from one breast 30m approx. I offer the 2nd, he's rarely interested. * He was tongue tied. It was clipped 10 days ago. * I pump 8-10oz daily on top of nursing full time and give him all of that pumped milk. * He's milk protein sensitive - I'm dairy free for him now. * He's happy. Alert, bright eyed, content after feedings, sleeps great! Strong, holds his head and neck up very well for his age. We saw the pedi today for a weight check and he was labeled FTT. She said that my breastmilk wasn't good enough. That it doesn't have enough fat and calories for him. I argued with her that breastmilk has MORE calories and fat than formula, but she said no. She instructed supplementation - 3oz of formula - Nutramigen - after EACH feeding. She said if he starts gaining weight after that, it's just that my milk isn't good enough for him and he needs more calories and formula would be better. Please help. We've worked through so many challenges only for me to be told my milk isn't good enough for my baby. We need some help!

Here's Levi's stats and other info.

Birth – 7lb 3oz

Discharge from hospital 6lb 11oz

1wk – 7lbs

2wk – 7lb 4oz

3wk – 7lb 6oz

4wk – 7lb 9oz

5wk – 7lb 11oz

6wk – 7lb 11oz

* Poops on a regular schedule – once every other day, or every 3rd day. Been this way for three weeks.

* We have 8-10 wet diapers daily.

* He nurses every 45-90 minutes during the day, every 3-4hrs at night. He nurses from one breast 30m approx. I offer the 2nd, he's rarely interested.

* He was tongue tied. It was clipped 10 days ago.

* I pump 8-10oz daily on top of nursing full time and give him all of that pumped milk.

* He's milk protein sensitive – I'm dairy free for him now.

* He's happy. Alert, bright eyed, content after feedings, sleeps great! Strong, holds his head and neck up very well for his age.

We saw the pedi today for a weight check and he was labeled FTT. She said that my breastmilk wasn't good enough. That it doesn't have enough fat and calories for him. I argued with her that breastmilk has MORE calories and fat than formula, but she said no. She instructed supplementation – 3oz of formula – Nutramigen – after EACH feeding. She said if he starts gaining weight after that, it's just that my milk isn't good enough for him and he needs more calories and formula would be better.

Please help. We've worked through so many challenges only for me to be told my milk isn't good enough for my baby.

]]> By: Mallorie http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3479 Mallorie Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:08:28 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3479 My daughter was born 2/23/10 and weighed 8lb 2oz. We left the hospital she was 7lbs 8oz and severely jaundiced. She is now 7 months and weighs 16lbs 8oz. I was told I need to be feeding her more baby food. I currently give her 1-2jars one time a day at dinner. She usually nurses about an hour before eating dinner then again before bed about 1-2hours after eating. I was told she should be eating more because her percentile for her height/weight has dropped from the 50%'s to the 30%'s. I am afraid of feeding her more because I would like her to nurse as often as she is now so I can continue to breastfeed for as long as she wants. Should I be feeding her more baby food? My daughter was born 2/23/10 and weighed 8lb 2oz. We left the hospital she was 7lbs 8oz and severely jaundiced. She is now 7 months and weighs 16lbs 8oz. I was told I need to be feeding her more baby food. I currently give her 1-2jars one time a day at dinner. She usually nurses about an hour before eating dinner then again before bed about 1-2hours after eating. I was told she should be eating more because her percentile for her height/weight has dropped from the 50%'s to the 30%'s. I am afraid of feeding her more because I would like her to nurse as often as she is now so I can continue to breastfeed for as long as she wants. Should I be feeding her more baby food?

]]> By: worried mama http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3478 worried mama Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:52:58 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3478 my son was born at home on sept 14th. the midwife's scale said 7 lbs 5 oz at birth (although it bounced around for a while before concluding that weight). 1 week later on monday, on a different scale in her office FULLY CLOTHED, he weighed 6 lbs 11 oz. that same week on friday at the doctor's office on a different scale, he weighed 6 lbs 5 oz completely NAKED. a few days later the next week on monday, he weighed 6 lbs 5 oz the first time weighed, and 6 lbs 6 oz the second time weighed. the dr is saying that if by tomorrow there hasnt been weight gain, she's recommending formula supplementation which i told her i am not even considering. however, i am becoming worried that 2 weeks after birth, supposedly he is a lb less than when he was born. he looks and acts healthy otherwise, even in the words of his pediatrician. pees regularly, poops mostly regularly, although not in 24 hours as of right now. however, i know breastfed babies can go up to 10 days without pooping at times and it can be normal! she tells me if he's not pooping at least 3-4 times a day, she would worry about him..... i have seen a lactation consultant, i am pumping between feedings to bring up my supply and feeding him the pumped milk, letting him feed and suck as he pleases, taking fenugreek, drinking mothers milk tea... i dont know what else to do and if i should be worried! my son was born at home on sept 14th. the midwife's scale said 7 lbs 5 oz at birth (although it bounced around for a while before concluding that weight). 1 week later on monday, on a different scale in her office FULLY CLOTHED, he weighed 6 lbs 11 oz. that same week on friday at the doctor's office on a different scale, he weighed 6 lbs 5 oz completely NAKED. a few days later the next week on monday, he weighed 6 lbs 5 oz the first time weighed, and 6 lbs 6 oz the second time weighed.

the dr is saying that if by tomorrow there hasnt been weight gain, she's recommending formula supplementation which i told her i am not even considering. however, i am becoming worried that 2 weeks after birth, supposedly he is a lb less than when he was born.

he looks and acts healthy otherwise, even in the words of his pediatrician. pees regularly, poops mostly regularly, although not in 24 hours as of right now. however, i know breastfed babies can go up to 10 days without pooping at times and it can be normal! she tells me if he's not pooping at least 3-4 times a day, she would worry about him…..

i have seen a lactation consultant, i am pumping between feedings to bring up my supply and feeding him the pumped milk, letting him feed and suck as he pleases, taking fenugreek, drinking mothers milk tea… i dont know what else to do and if i should be worried!

]]> By: Sandra http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3401 Sandra Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:16:03 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3401 my baby boy was born 7 lbs, 13 oz. he dropped to 7, 4 in the first few days, but was back up to his birth weight after two weeks. at 8 weeks he was weighed 9, 9. now, 2 months later, at 10, 4, he has only gained a few more oz. he is a skinny little thing, but this article describes him well. he is alert, active, nurses well, meets or passes his developmental goals on time, and has appropriate elimination. i feed him on demand, which usually every 2.5 to 3 hrs. i do offer the breast if he ever gets fussy before that though. on the one hand, i'm not worried. as this article states, i should be able to tell if there is a problem. on the other hand, only 11 oz in 2 months does not seem good. i really want to stay exclusively breastfed until 6 months, and then add in solids as he shows interest. i have no desire to ever give him formula. but i would really like to see him gain more than 2 oz a week. after researching it, i am thinking about trying to feed him every 1 to 1 1/2 hrs so that he gets more hindmilk. is there anything else i can do? my baby boy was born 7 lbs, 13 oz. he dropped to 7, 4 in the first few days, but was back up to his birth weight after two weeks. at 8 weeks he was weighed 9, 9. now, 2 months later, at 10, 4, he has only gained a few more oz. he is a skinny little thing, but this article describes him well. he is alert, active, nurses well, meets or passes his developmental goals on time, and has appropriate elimination. i feed him on demand, which usually every 2.5 to 3 hrs. i do offer the breast if he ever gets fussy before that though.

on the one hand, i'm not worried. as this article states, i should be able to tell if there is a problem. on the other hand, only 11 oz in 2 months does not seem good. i really want to stay exclusively breastfed until 6 months, and then add in solids as he shows interest. i have no desire to ever give him formula. but i would really like to see him gain more than 2 oz a week.

after researching it, i am thinking about trying to feed him every 1 to 1 1/2 hrs so that he gets more hindmilk. is there anything else i can do?

]]> By: Annalisa http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-13#comment-3297 Annalisa Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:39:07 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3297 Hi, my son will be five weeks on 9/29. He was 7 lb, 11 oz at birth, dropped to 6 lb, 5 oz before leaving the hospital and was 6 lb, 6 oz at his first checkup (6 days old). At this point, he seemed to be nursing well, latching on well, etc., although he would occasionally (maybe two or three times a day) get really frustrate and wag his head back and forth as if he couldn't find the nipple. We went for a weight check when he was 9 days old and he was 6 lb, 8 oz. Went back a week later and he was 6 lb, 8 oz again. At this point, his latch seemed to be deteriorating--he would latch well initially but then immediately close his lips closer around the nipple and "gnaw." The pediatrician checked his tongue and said he was tongue-tied and we had it cut three days later (he was almost a month old at this point). During that three-day span, the pediatrician asked to pump after every feeding and feed it to him in a bottle. I was pumping for 30 minutes and only getting 1/2 an ounce, which concerned me. We went back a week later for another weight check (4 days after tongue being cut), and they said he weight 6 lb, 6 oz. Initially after having his tongue cut, he sucked great; i could really feel a difference. But after a day or two, he gradually started going back to his gnawing around the nipple habit and I had a hard time getting him to suck vigorously. So after the last weight check where he lost weight, my pediatrician had me supplement for a few days again and we pumped after each feeding and also gave him formula several times a day. today I went in for a weight check and he weighed in at 7 lb., 1 oz. So according to my pediatrician's office, he gained 11 oz in 3 days--could this possibly be correct!?! I'm beginning to wonder if he is just doing better after having his tongue cut and gained that over the last week and the weight check of 6 lb, 6 oz was simply an error. However, I also did a "test pumping" to see how much i could get out--skipped a feeding with him and pumped instead. I only got 1 1/2 oz, which is quite low from what I understand. so I'm just not sure what's going on.. Also, whenever I pump after feeding, he seems very agitated at the next feeding, like he's having a hard time getting what he needs. So I just have no idea what's going on at this point--if his frenulum wa steh problem, if I have difficulties with supply, or what... Thanks! Hi, my son will be five weeks on 9/29. He was 7 lb, 11 oz at birth, dropped to 6 lb, 5 oz before leaving the hospital and was 6 lb, 6 oz at his first checkup (6 days old). At this point, he seemed to be nursing well, latching on well, etc., although he would occasionally (maybe two or three times a day) get really frustrate and wag his head back and forth as if he couldn't find the nipple. We went for a weight check when he was 9 days old and he was 6 lb, 8 oz. Went back a week later and he was 6 lb, 8 oz again. At this point, his latch seemed to be deteriorating–he would latch well initially but then immediately close his lips closer around the nipple and "gnaw." The pediatrician checked his tongue and said he was tongue-tied and we had it cut three days later (he was almost a month old at this point). During that three-day span, the pediatrician asked to pump after every feeding and feed it to him in a bottle. I was pumping for 30 minutes and only getting 1/2 an ounce, which concerned me. We went back a week later for another weight check (4 days after tongue being cut), and they said he weight 6 lb, 6 oz. Initially after having his tongue cut, he sucked great; i could really feel a difference. But after a day or two, he gradually started going back to his gnawing around the nipple habit and I had a hard time getting him to suck vigorously. So after the last weight check where he lost weight, my pediatrician had me supplement for a few days again and we pumped after each feeding and also gave him formula several times a day. today I went in for a weight check and he weighed in at 7 lb., 1 oz. So according to my pediatrician's office, he gained 11 oz in 3 days–could this possibly be correct!?! I'm beginning to wonder if he is just doing better after having his tongue cut and gained that over the last week and the weight check of 6 lb, 6 oz was simply an error. However, I also did a "test pumping" to see how much i could get out–skipped a feeding with him and pumped instead. I only got 1 1/2 oz, which is quite low from what I understand. so I'm just not sure what's going on.. Also, whenever I pump after feeding, he seems very agitated at the next feeding, like he's having a hard time getting what he needs. So I just have no idea what's going on at this point–if his frenulum wa steh problem, if I have difficulties with supply, or what… Thanks!

]]> By: vrupal http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-12#comment-3248 vrupal Mon, 27 Sep 2010 03:34:42 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3248 My babies birth weight was 6 pounds 13 ounces(height 20 1/4 inches) and now at her 6 months checkup her weight is 17 pounds 11.5 ounces(height 27 1/3 inches). she is exclusively breastfed baby for 6 months. i have started feeding her solids for 2 weeks now.she nurses very frequently (almost every 2 hrs 5 to 10 minutes). my doctor says the babies weight is on the higher side. Does her not sleeping for 8hrs straight in the night(due to frequent nursing) affecting her weight gain? is this something to worry about? iam really confused whether to continue breastfeeding her at nights or not? Please help My babies birth weight was 6 pounds 13 ounces(height 20 1/4 inches) and now at her 6 months checkup her weight is 17 pounds 11.5 ounces(height 27 1/3 inches). she is exclusively breastfed baby for 6 months. i have started feeding her solids for 2 weeks now.she nurses very frequently (almost every 2 hrs 5 to 10 minutes). my doctor says the babies weight is on the higher side. Does her not sleeping for 8hrs straight in the night(due to frequent nursing) affecting her weight gain? is this something to worry about? iam really confused whether to continue breastfeeding her at nights or not? Please help

]]> By: Ron Van Marrewyk http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-12#comment-3205 Ron Van Marrewyk Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:08:01 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3205 My wife are the proud parents for triplets, our babies were born at 29 weeks on June 8, 2010 and their due date was Aug 24th, they are 32 days corrected today however our smallest girl who now weights 7 lbs 6 ounces only gained 14 grams a day this week. She is still struggling a lot with pooping and must be helped to go every 2 days. Her diapers are always very wet and she is passing gas quite regularly. We are a little concerned with her lack of regularity with her bowel movements and when it does happen it is quite thick. We believe that she is working hard to deal with gas and potentially burning a lot of calories that way. What would you be more concerned with, the weight gain or the bowel movements? What would you do to help the bowel movements, we have been stimulating her anus, doing the bicycle with her legs, and rubbing her tummy clockwise. Do you have any comments or suggestions?? Thank you My wife are the proud parents for triplets, our babies were born at 29 weeks on June 8, 2010 and their due date was Aug 24th, they are 32 days corrected today however our smallest girl who now weights 7 lbs 6 ounces only gained 14 grams a day this week. She is still struggling a lot with pooping and must be helped to go every 2 days. Her diapers are always very wet and she is passing gas quite regularly. We are a little concerned with her lack of regularity with her bowel movements and when it does happen it is quite thick. We believe that she is working hard to deal with gas and potentially burning a lot of calories that way. What would you be more concerned with, the weight gain or the bowel movements? What would you do to help the bowel movements, we have been stimulating her anus, doing the bicycle with her legs, and rubbing her tummy clockwise. Do you have any comments or suggestions??

Thank you

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-12#comment-3010 Cheryl Taylor Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:06:14 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3010 A key question is...what was his LOWEST weight after birth? Some babies lose a full pound or more after birth, even though normal weight loss is up to 10% of birth weight. A child's brain continues to grow dramatically until age two. How often were nursings taking place? A newborn should be nursing every 60 - 90 minutes but no longer than 2 hrs for many weeks. This helps establish mom's milk supply. Instead of supplementing you may want to consider nursing much more often. You should see milk supply boost within 24-48 hrs of nursing every 60-90 minutes from beginning of nursing to beginning of nursing. A key question is…what was his LOWEST weight after birth? Some babies lose a full pound or more after birth, even though normal weight loss is up to 10% of birth weight. A child’s brain continues to grow dramatically until age two. How often were nursings taking place? A newborn should be nursing every 60 – 90 minutes but no longer than 2 hrs for many weeks. This helps establish mom’s milk supply. Instead of supplementing you may want to consider nursing much more often. You should see milk supply boost within 24-48 hrs of nursing every 60-90 minutes from beginning of nursing to beginning of nursing.

]]> By: Cheryl Taylor http://drjaygordon.com/pediatricks/newborns/scales.html/comment-page-11#comment-3011 Cheryl Taylor Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:17:00 +0000 http://bluehost.drjaygordon.altpixel.com/?p=79#comment-3011 Some babies just take a long time to nurse. It varies SO much with some babies nursing for 5 minutes and some taking an hour. How are her wettings? If she has 6-8 wettings per day then she is taking in plenty and your supply is fine. There are a few thoughts that I have after reading your story. She isn't taking in a great quantity of EBM but the bottle nipple may be continuing to keep her latch from improving. Has anyone looked at her frenulum and made sure it wasn't too short? A short frenulum (tongue tied) can greatly affect how quickly a baby can transfer milk. With tongue tie you can often notice when they cry that the end of their tongue is in a sweetheart shape because the frenulum doesn't allow the tip of the tongue to come forward past their lips. Take a good look at it and have your LC look. If it IS tied, it's a simple office procedure to clip it and release the tongue. Latch improves immediately afterward. Have you considered either fennel to aid with letdown and/or fenugreek and blessed thistle to increase milk supply? Is your water intake good? Have you tried different positions for nursing? Sometimes babies will show new interest in a nursing session if the position is changed from cradle to clutch (football hold). Some really relax and nurse well lying beside mom. You might want to try stroking the breast down toward the nipple WHILE nursing instead of compressions, or alternating. While you are concerned with her weight gain I would continue to do everything that you can to not allow nursings to space further than 2 hrs apart during the day and optimally every 60-90 minutes. Hope this helps. Some babies just take a long time to nurse. It varies SO much with some babies nursing for 5 minutes and some taking an hour. How are her wettings? If she has 6-8 wettings per day then she is taking in plenty and your supply is fine. There are a few thoughts that I have after reading your story. She isn't taking in a great quantity of EBM but the bottle nipple may be continuing to keep her latch from improving. Has anyone looked at her frenulum and made sure it wasn't too short? A short frenulum (tongue tied) can greatly affect how quickly a baby can transfer milk. With tongue tie you can often notice when they cry that the end of their tongue is in a sweetheart shape because the frenulum doesn't allow the tip of the tongue to come forward past their lips. Take a good look at it and have your LC look. If it IS tied, it's a simple office procedure to clip it and release the tongue. Latch improves immediately afterward.

Have you considered either fennel to aid with letdown and/or fenugreek and blessed thistle to increase milk supply? Is your water intake good? Have you tried different positions for nursing? Sometimes babies will show new interest in a nursing session if the position is changed from cradle to clutch (football hold). Some really relax and nurse well lying beside mom. You might want to try stroking the breast down toward the nipple WHILE nursing instead of compressions, or alternating.

While you are concerned with her weight gain I would continue to do everything that you can to not allow nursings to space further than 2 hrs apart during the day and optimally every 60-90 minutes.

Hope this helps.

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