https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:11:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1297644 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 11:37:37 +0000 illumina 1297644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone for your advice :) Just wanted to give a brief update....</p> <p>Our GP suggested we wake her up to feed around 11pm before we go to bed...so I started this last Thursday and am happy to report she has gained 3.5oz in 6 days...which I think is the average amount for her age? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287633 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 20:48:42 +0000 heartonastring 1287633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree re: adding another feed during the day, or perhaps very early in the morning (4 am-ish) to keep your prolactin levels up there. </p> <p>I guess the question is, is keeping your LO EBF your goal, or are you open to formula? If it's the former, then supplementing with formula might be counterproductive, as you aren't stimulating you supply when you give baby a bottle of formula. More time at the breast should = higher supply = weight gain. No judgment against formula intended at all...as I said it just depends on what your goals are.</p> <p>Also, like some PPs, recommend consulting with an IBCLC if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287480 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 19:05:33 +0000 regberadaisy 1287480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think everyone has given you great suggestions. I would keep a close eye on her weight and if she continues to drop there is nothing wrong with formula supplementing. Sometimes you just need a little help! Supply and demand doesn't work for everyone. </p> <p>I'm not trying to push formula by any means. But it's not poison. I supplemented with one bottle a day routinely because I had low supply. LO is almost 20 months and we are still nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287464 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:57:49 +0000 reverie 1287464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had similar supply issues. It was really hard for me to supplement with formula mentally, but really it is formula not alcohol. I did what I could with supplements (MMP, fenugreek, oatmeal, flax see) and pumping and when it came down to it I just couldn't make enough. I eventually lost to my under-supply, but I was back at work full time. I think if you're staying with your daughter and only offering formula after a full nursing session you'll be OK. We put too much pressure on ourselves when sometimes there isn't really anything you can do. Good luck with what you decide! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287377 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:06:49 +0000 Kemma 1287377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The fact that she's STTN would indicate that she's not starving but five feeds a day does seen on the low side and any weight loss is a little concerning. I would try to add more feeds during the day and I have also heard of Mum's skimming the cream off pumped milk and feeding that to help up the fat and calorie intake. Is there a possibility you could have a consult with an IBCLC? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287371 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:02:08 +0000 Navy_Mommy 1287371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: yeah. And you pump a little off the other side if it gets engorged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287359 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:50:25 +0000 illumina 1287359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: no, I haven't heard much about it. Is that where you feed on the same boob only for a couple of feeds in a row? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287354 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:49:32 +0000 Navy_Mommy 1287354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you considered block feeding to make sure LO is getting ALL the fatty hind milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287346 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:46:41 +0000 illumina 1287346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: yes, she's almost exclusively BF, we only give 1 bottle of pumped milk per week when we leave her with my parents for an afternoon. I'm going to try what @Sapphiresun: suggests also and pump during the night and give it to her during the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287333 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:35:42 +0000 lawbee11 1287333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: I also agree with PP about milk being higher in fat at night, so in addition to adding feeds during the day, I think a dream feed would help, too. What time do you normally go to sleep at night? I would try and make it as late as possible before you go to bed (so if you go to bed at 10:30, maybe do the dream feed at 10:15). She nurses almost exclusively at the breast, right? (You don't feed her expressed milk from a bottle?) </p> <p>It's great that she's sleeping 12 hours but that does seem like a long time to go without a feeding at her age when you don't know how many ounces she's taking in during the day. My best friend's baby was sleeping through the night at that age, too, but he was FF so she knew he was getting enough ounces during the day. Hopefully she'll start packing on the weight soon! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287247 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:52:34 +0000 Sapphiresun 1287247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably add feedings. </p> <p>Or if you wanted to avoid waking her up, what about pumping at like midnight and then using that the following day to supplement rather than a formula feed? Not being stimulated at all between 8pm-8am might be a big part of your problem.</p> <p>I think you're probably so close to the 4 month sleep regression that you'll be feeding at night soon enough, so as much as it sucks to get up when you don't have to... might be a better option than having to also put her back to sleep.</p> <p>Usually when I feel like my supply is dipping, I'll take a day where I drink tons of water, binge on oatmeal, flax and spinach and feed her at like 2 hour intervals all day and it'll start to top back up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287235 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:48:51 +0000 jedeve 1287235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would add a feeding before you go to bed. You are so lucky that she sleeps through the night! My pediatrician said they are ready to go that long without eating around 4-5 mo. 13 weeks might be a little early? Plus your night milk is a lot thicker and creamier, might help pack on the pounds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287224 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:46:54 +0000 illumina 1287224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: you make a good point. Honestly I don't know why the HV suggested adding 1 feed in during the night rather than trying to get even more in (i.e. every 2hrs) during the day. I'm sure plenty of babies are sttn by 3mths so presumably they are getting their calories during the day. I'll admit that she's never ever refused a feed so maybe you're right and I need to try that... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287214 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:44:06 +0000 Beyond2 1287214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I wouldn't supplement formula but I would add feedings. When I needed to up my supply I'd nurse before and after every nap plus a few other times a day and at the peak we were nursing like 10 times a day. Once my supply caught up I could cut back on the number of feeds, but DS would get more with each feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287155 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:16:32 +0000 Trailmix 1287155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would add a dream feed right before you go to bed, that way she's getting an extra feed but no one's sleep is interrupted... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287078 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:49:24 +0000 lawbee11 1287078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: if you offer her the breast more frequently during the day will she take it (even if she isn't fussing/doesn't seem hungry)? I feed M every 2-2 1/2 hours during the day and a majority of the time she isn't fussing or crying at all before a feed, but she latches on and gulps it down. Some babies are just too interested in everything around them to make a big stink when they're hungry but will eat if it's offered. If I were you I'd probably add one nursing session during the day and maybe a dream feed at night. I'm sorry...I know it must be tough to hear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287068 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:46:49 +0000 Revel 1287068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would add a night feed to start until you can get more answers, but I've been dealing with night waking since LO was born, so I don't know I would want to go back to it after STTN. Maybe you could add a dream feed around 10pm, and it wouldn't really wake her?</p> <p>Also second the recommendation to see an IBCLC as soon as possible. When LO was a newborn I found one and was able to set up an appointment for the next day at my home, so I think they are used to short notice requests.</p> <p>Good luck! If LO seems happy and healthy I would feel confident that there is time to figure out a good solution that preserves your breastfeeding relationship. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287024 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:37:51 +0000 Smurfette 1287024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as Hilsy85, have you done a weighted feed to know how much she is eating? If it is your supply, I would supplement formula. I would avoid waking her up to eat at all costs. </p> <p>So sorry! It is hard. My 9 month old eats all the time, and didn't gain anything in the last month and half. So we are trying to fatten her up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287022 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:36:30 +0000 Silva 1287022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would start by adding a feeding. If that needed to be during the overnight, than so be it. I would also continue to have her weight closely monitored. I would probably also start drinking mother's milk tea.<br /> If she wasn't gaining within a week or so I would start supplementing (maybe start pumping now, so that if you need to supplement you can do so with breast milk mixed with formula).<br /> I would push to be seen by a doctor, and also a lactation consultant who could check to make sure her latch is good &amp; that she is getting enough with each feeding.</p> <p>But thats just me- I worry about weight gain. Others may have different experiences and opinions. Probably the most important thing is to speak with a doctor.</p> <p>So sorry you're going through this! It sounds really stressful :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1287018 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:33:46 +0000 hilsy85 1287018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it were me, I would probably supplement with formula, and pump after feedings and start supplements (more milk tea, oatmeal, fenugreek), because that weight loss sounds very concerning to me. Do you have any sense of how your supply is? Have you done a weighed feeding with LO? Do you have an IBCLC you can meet with?SO sorry mama! this sounds stressful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-weight-gain-issue-again#post-1286993 Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:27:35 +0000 illumina 1286993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, you may remember my previous post (<a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weight-gain-when-to-worry" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weight-gain-when-to-worry</a>) where I mentioned LO's weight gain had slowed down? I had her weighed again today for the first time since and she has actually lost 4oz and is down to 9lbs at 13wks :( I tried to up her intake by adding an extra feed during the afternoon/before bedtime...so 5 feeds per day. It obviously isn't enough. </p> <p>I've spoken to our health visitor and whilst she's referring us to the doctor tomorrow to rule out any underlying medical issues, she says we basically have 2 options:</p> <p>1. Wake her in the middle of the night (usually she sleeps ~8pm to ~8am)</p> <p>2. Supplement with formula at each feed after breastfeeding.</p> <p>We need to do something, but I'm reluctant to do either a) because most babies are working towards sttn, so it feels like a big step backwards and I kind of think she should be looking to her all her calories during the day and b) supplementing may mean my supply will never catch up and may lead to having to stop BF-ing altogether which actually makes me more upset than I thought it would.</p> <p>The health visitor seemed a bit confused because she does feed every 3hrs during the day and doesn't demand more, nor is she particularly fussy between feeds.</p> <p>WWYD--either of these or something else? </p>