Breastfeeding Problems

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've always read that breastfed babies gain weight more slowly than formula fed babies, but by the time they are a year old, there is no significant weight difference. I think most babies lose weight at first after birth, don't they?

Maybe the weight gain charts are based on bottle fed infants? Heck, I'd also want to know whether formula companies produce those baby weight gain charts, in some sneaky plot to discourage breastfeeding.
My two daughters were both totally breast fed for their first eight months, and one was a slender baby and the other was chubbier...go figure! They both turned into perfect, healthy, and delightful children.

I think that the more you supplement a breastfed baby with formula, the less interest they have in breastfeeding. Formula is easy for the baby to extract from the bottle- it tends to gush out at the slightest suck- breast milk is a bit harder work for them. I also suspect formula is more filling.

[Tuckervill]

There's help out there. I'd suggest contacting Le Leche League.

Here's a link to a chart specifically for breastfed babies.
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns...ight-gain.html

The site also says:

A few things to keep in mind when evaluating weight gain

A 5-7% weight loss during the first 3-4 days after birth is normal. A 10% weight loss is sometimes considered normal, but this amount of weight loss is a sign that the breastfeeding needs to be evaluated. It's a good idea to have a routine weight check at 5 days (baby should be gaining rather than losing weight by day 5), so that any developing problems can be caught and remedied early.

Baby should regain birth weight by 10 days to 2 weeks. If your baby lost a good bit of weight in the early days, or if your baby is sick or premature, it may take longer to regain birth weight. If baby does not regain birth weight by two weeks, this is a sign that the breastfeeding needs to be evaluated.

Always figure weight gain from the lowest point rather than from baby's birth weight.

Baby needs to be weighed on the same scale with the same amount of clothing (preferably naked) each time to get an accurate picture of weight gain. Different scales can give very different readings (I've personally seen a difference of a pound in two different scales); clothing or diapers can vary in weight and throw the numbers off. The scale should be zeroed before weighing, and baby should be centered on the scale tray. It's never a bad idea to do a second measurement (it should be close to the first) and then use an average of the two measurements. If your baby is very active or distressed, don't expect to get an accurate measurement. Babies grow in spurts rather than at a steady rate - to keep from needless worrying, it's generally best to weigh baby no more often than once a week.
~~

I think that is very good advice. At any rate, I wouldn't worry too much just yet. If the baby seems happy and is wetting and soiling like he should, I'd give it another week or two, and a lot more interaction with experienced nursing mothers before I gave up on it.

Karen

[wnyrider]

I've always read that breastfed babies gain weight more slowly than formula fed babies, but by the time they are a year old, there is no significant weight difference. I think most babies lose weight at first after birth, don't they?
...
Formula is easy for the baby to extract from the bottle- it tends to gush out at the slightest suck- breast milk is a bit harder work for them.

It is true about the slower weight gain for breast fed babies, initially-- they do catch up. Also, the initial weight loss is normal particularly with a breast fed baby.
There is a different sucking motion development between bottle and breast. It is quicker and easier for your son to get formula. It takes more effort to get breast milk. Breast milk is digested quicker, so breast fed babies are usually hungry again sooner. For a period of time I was feeding my son every 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. I was an absolute zombie. The initial weight loss can be also be tied into the fact that because breastfed babies exert more energy to get the milk, they burn off the calories quicker.
It was explained to me with my son, when I didn't think I could continue on anymore, that I was depriving him, if I wanted to try to make breast feeding his sole nutrition that I would have to not offer supplemental feedings. You may have to offer yourself more than every two hours. It'll be very very hard, I know. He will be hungry and you will feel terrible. They called it "nipple confusion" and that he would become better at his sucking if only my breasts were offered. If your body responds, you will produce more. Just the act of watching him suckle on you will produce a greater level of oxytocin which should allow you to produce at a greater degree. That is where the supply = demand falls into place. It has been a while, but I still remember how "udderly"exhausting it was (a little humor)! Best of luck with your beautiful child.