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My LO didn't regain his birth weight until between 3 and 4 weeks. He was a big baby to begin with, though, at 9 lbs 5 oz. My pediatrician was worried but didn't suggest supplementing because he was gaining some weight and was growing in terms of height. He then took off in terms of weight gain after 1 month. He has never needed formula and we are still EBF.

I had supply issues the first time around. Trust me, I tried almost everything with the exception of dompedorine and I only didn't because by the time I heard about it we were almost at a year.
We supplemented as needed all through her first year.

This time around DH & I did not hesitate to supplement slightly with formula until my milk came in at day 3. My hospital is VERY PRO breastfeeding which is great. But there were a few nurses we had their 2cts regarding us supplementing. DH took the lead and calmly told them about our issues with our eldest the first few days. LO2 gained all her birth weight back and then some at her 6 day check up and for now we are EBF and my supply has been much better this time around. I was also much more relaxed the first few days while waiting for my milk to come in, knowing that I had the formula back up if colostrum wasn't enough for her. It wasn't enough for my eldest.

But I wouldn't hesitate to supplement again if necessary.

Anyway all that to say there is nothing wrong with supplementing if necessary. I firmly believe supplementing my first allowed us to BF till she was almost 25 months!

I know this doesn't answer your initial question. But supplementing a bit might give you the relief you need to get through this hump to a longer breastfeeding journey this time! If you want.

@stargal: I would feed her from each breast and then offer her a bottle when she seemed done with me. She would typically suck down 2oz or so from a bottle - a lot for a baby that small who had already "breastfed".

So, what I would do is breastfeed, bottle feed, then settle her somewhere so I could pump for 20 minutes (never longer, never shorter unless I HAD to stop). I would get a little out and save every single drop. I would keep a bottle in the fridge and after every pump session, pour my liquid gold into it. Once I had enough in the fridge, I would supplement her feedings with that. If I ran out, I supplemented with formula.

Supplementing with formula this way did not in any way interrupt our breastfeeding journey because she was still breastfeeding, she just didn't get much from me at the beginning. Once she got better at it, we were able to dump the bottles.

Also, I rented a scale from a lactation consultant. After every feed, before the bottle, I would weigh her. It was a serious pain in the butt but it was so worth it. I was able to see how much she got from me just by weighing her before and after (immediately before and after) each feed. If you do the scale, remember, don't change a diaper or anything in between weighs because you won't know the proper weight if you do.

Have you considered an LC? A lactation consultant saved me from complete disaster and throwing in the towel. I only went once but the tips and tricks she taught me (and fitting me for a proper nursing bra) were lifesavers.

You can always try combining BF with supplementing formula too. A friend of mine dd that with her daughter and it worked like a charm. That way you can make sure he gets everything he needs while you work on his latch. Good luck!!!

My DD was 8 oz below her birth weight and her pediatrician did not seem concerned since she had gained since her visit the week prior. He also told me that his son was not at birth weight at his two week check and that it is pretty common. He recommended trying syringe feeding and talking to my lactation consultant that I had an appointment with the following day. I did end up getting a syringe from the LC and of course while we were there DD nursed like a champ despite all the struggles we had had at home. We ultimately never ended up using the syringe.

I had the same issue with DS not being at birth weight by 2 weeks. We ended up not being able to successfully breastfeed, but I exclusively pumped and bottle fed him and he did just fine.

DD and I kept at the BFing (it’s SO hard in those first few weeks!) and her weight was in the 90th percentile at her 2 month well check. So keep at it!!