https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:39:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422987 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 06:58:24 +0000 rachiecakes 2422987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZacharysMommy: big hugs! I remember our ped saying the same thing. I cried for 24 hours straight, I was so upset he didn't gain weight.<br /> Nursing on demand is good and your breasts are never empty. Also, extending nursing sessions triggers your body to make more for the next session. But it's exhausting!<br /> Because I had to go to work and could only pump twice for 30 minutes we supplemented with formula. (Took a few tries with different bottles) He gained right away.<br /> My son is 4 now and still on the small side, but so are his parents. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422983 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 06:47:57 +0000 Alba4 2422983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are doing great!!! ❤️</p> <p>I struggled with nursing my DS due to his lip and posterior tongue tie. Even after his surgery, breastfeeding never improved, as he had a tiny mouth and could never latch properly. I consulted various Lactation consultants and they didn't know what else to do. We tried the nipple shield, the SNS, and I ultimately pumped and supplemented with formula.</p> <p>Have you tried a variety of nipples/bottles.? I originally had registered for Dr. Brown's wide mouthed bottles/nipples, but they we're too big for my son and he wouldn't take the bottle. We switched to the normal nipple size and he started to eat much better and gain weight again!!</p> <p>Hang in there. It is so tough. I know it's natural to feel like a failure (I too beat myself up for not being able to successfully BF) but you're NOT!!! At this point you just want a happy, full, and growing baby.</p> <p>Wishing you luck and love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422950 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:50:59 +0000 Kemma 2422950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZacharysMommy: different scales can be several ounces apart depending on when they were last calibrated so it can be the difference between "normal" and "low" weight gain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422948 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:34:57 +0000 ZacharysMommy 2422948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: the hospital LC checked for tongue tie and issues with palate and said he was fine. I don't know if she checked for lip tie. And no, not the same scale! All naked but we were in a different room today from last time so different scale. I wonder how much of a factor that is..</p> <p>@hellobeeboston: i will look into that bottle. </p> <p>@My Only Sunshine: I am going to try to see LC as soon as possible. I definitely need help!</p> <p>Thanks ladies :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422947 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:21:48 +0000 hellobeeboston 2422947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are definitely not failing! I know it's so tough. I am supplementing with one bottle of formula a day now with my 3.5 month old because I couldn't keep up and he was falling in his weight curve. At our 8 week-ish appt we discussed it with the doc. I'm ok with that as the rest is all Breast milk, but it's my second babe and I know with my first I did t want to supplement at all. Anyway, we just spent 4 weeks trying to get LO to take a bottle, nothing worked for us till we tried the Lanishoh mOmma bottle that some bees recommended and it worked!! The nipple shape is very different so I think that did it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422945 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:01:35 +0000 Kemma 2422945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@My Only Sunshine: 's suggestion of using an SNS is a good one, baby can still be at the breast providing the necessary stimulation for your supply but will also be getting the extra calories!</p> <p>@ZacharysMommy: a couple of questions for you, has baby been checked for tongue and lip tie and have baby's weight checks all been done naked and on the same scale? And you are NOT failing! Bf'ing is a learning curve for both mother and baby and as long as baby is gaining (albeit slowly), content and having good output then there's no need to panic so hang in there!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422944 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 01:35:38 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2422944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZacharysMommy: Feeding issues are so hard! You will figure this out! Can you get in with the LC tomorrow? I agree feeding on demand is good, but round the clock wanting to nurse is exhausting for both of you. We had good luck with Avent naturals bottles and Playtex Ventair. And I know people sing the praises of Dr. Brown's. I would try to get in with the LC as soon as possible. Maybe they can set you up with a supplemental feeding system or work with you on other tips to nurse and supplement. Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422941 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 01:28:48 +0000 ZacharysMommy 2422941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: so far just playtex with naturalatch nipple. Tomorrow I am going to the store to look at other options. Each week I keep thinking it will get better but it just gets worse it seems.</p> <p>@clover: haven't done weighted feeds. I could ask about it</p> <p>@Me3: thanks for the support :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422936 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 01:10:36 +0000 Me3 2422936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs to you! Stressing about feeding is so hard. It's very emotional, and I remember obsessing about my son's feeding and weight gain. Just offering support and best wishes. I hope things get better soon! I did end up transitioning my first LO to pumped bottles, and I found that warming up the nipples in addition to warming the breastmilk helped. There are also different types of bottle nipples (wider, etc.) that he might be more likely to take, but I know it's frustrating to go buy different types of bottles when you're wondering if your baby will ever even take one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422935 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 00:55:09 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2422935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely try to see an ibclc again! I'd suggest pumping after each feeding, then feeding him that milk next time with an sns. It's rough, but will get better! Also, work on his latch and stop using the shield ASAP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422909 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 23:41:23 +0000 clover 2422909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you done weighted feeds to see how much he is transferring? 8pees and 5 poops seems like a lot of output. If supply is the issue then there are several supplements that can help. I have no experience with IUGR but it definitely sounds like non stop stress for you. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422908 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 23:39:39 +0000 MrsSRS 2422908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of nursing is good for your supply, but for my preemie too much nursing was tiring and would burn too many calories. It's hard to find a balance! If you'll need him to take a bottle soon then it might be worth working on stopping after 30 minutes and supplementing. What bottles have you tried? You're doing great! His output sounds good and remember that you are right at 6 weeks, adjusted and that is usually the time when a lot of nursing moms think it starts to get better. You may be in a whole different place by next week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-2422904 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 23:31:42 +0000 ZacharysMommy 2422904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is going to be a long post, but I have a lot going on right now and need to get it out. I have a baby who will be 8 weeks tomorrow. He was IUGR, induced 2 weeks early, weighing 5 pounds 1 oz, and left hospital at 4lbs9oz. I have been exclusively breastfeeding but it has not been easy. First, DS was not latching deeply enough and after the LC in the hospital (we were in NICU for a week) worked with us with no luck, I had to start using a nipple shield. This saved us. I try to go without it sometimes but can't get a deep latch and end up in pain. From the beginning, I have been nursing on demand and LO nurses pretty much constantly, sometimes actively eating, sometimes comfort sucking. It has been so exhausting but I have been taking it one day at a time. He juat isn't happy unless he is on my breast. At his weight checks he has been doing good until now. 2 weeks ago he was 6 pohnds 3oz. I thought for sure when we went today that he would be at least 7 pounds but he was only 6 lbs 7oz! I was so upset. The dr wants me to stop nursing after 30 min and supplement either with expressed milk or formula. Well LO is refusing to take a bottle and I don't know what to do. The dr also wants me to see a LC and we have a follow up weight check next week. I feel like a failure. He stopped growing well during the pregancy and now he still isn't growing well. My DH has also tried to give him the bottle with me out of the room but he just screams until I bf him. Then I have my aunt telling me I should be spacing out his feedings becahse she thinks that his constant nursing means my breasts aren't filling up. But everything I read says that's not how it works and to just feed on demand. It does seem like there is an issue since he acts like he is never satisfied, but I don't know. I also have read a lot of stories of IUGR babies not gaining what they should , so I feel that is a factor but the dr said no. I'm also stressing because I will be going back to work next month and he will need to take a bottle. His diaper output is good. He does like 8 pees and 5 poops a day so I can't understand the problem. </p> <p>If anyone has any advice or encouragement I would appreciate it. I will be making an appt with an LC. </p>