dont know what to do

So we had an appointment with my daughters pediatrician yesterday, he said that she is in the 10th percentile for her weight for 9 weeks. He said that maybe my milk is not fatty enough and that maybe i should supplement 1 feed a day for formula. However he did say that she only needed to be putting on 150grams per week and she has put on almost 200grams since last friday. Should i supplement or not? I feel she is getting more then enough i have alot of milk, and is there any way that i could make my milk more fatty?

[AndiJ78]

Make sure your diet has enough fat in it so make a healthy milk, you do not need to add tons of fat to your diet. Nursing moms need additional calories, roughly 2500 calories a day and now is not the time to go low fat.

Try allowing baby to nurse longer per breast so that she can draw out the hind milk, which is where all the fat is. Seems like 15 to 20 minutes per breast is the average for little ones to draw it out. You may need to give her longer.

How are her diapers? Is she having 6 to 8 wet diapers a day? How has her stool looked? These are all important questions as well.

If he wanted her to gain a specific amount and she has surpassed it, I am confused as to why he wants her to get supplementation.

How often does she nurse? Are you or her father smaller framed? Has she dramatically dropped in percentiles?

[therese101]

she nurses about 6 times a day has at least 7 wet dipers a day. i might see if i can increase my calleries and see if that helps, i was confused as well because she put on more than the requirement. she has always  been in the 10th percentile so i wasnt concerned because she is putting on the weight. Thanks so much for responding

[Latrice414]

If im not mistaken, BF'd are suppose to gain a certain about of grams per day.  If im not mistaken, the dr said trinity was in the 50% , think dr said something like she is gaining 26 and they like to see breastfeed babies gain in the 31-36, im going to have to get the numbers when i go back for her appt. and what the numbers meant.

If you ever tried pumping, you notice the milk that is coming out is clear, then after 5-10 min it becomes creamy er (the fat milk).  Or you can pump for 5 min b4 nursing bcuz mayb she is not nursing long enough to get the fat milk all the time.

Keep me posted on how things go

[PamelaBee]

When my baby girl was born she weighed 7lb 5oz, she dropped to 6lb 12oz within her first week home from the hospital...I knew my milk hadn't come in yet, and I knew she was hungry.  My Ped wanted me to supplement...and I did for about a week, but once my milk came in I stopped.  Shes 2 1/2mos now and weighs 12lb 7oz.  My Mother-in-law suggested I eat lots of oatmeal and homemade chicken soup!  That's advice coming from a woman that had 6 children, including a set of twins!  My milk supply seems to be very rich and satisfying.  Also, don't be afraid to supplement when need be, we all know breastmilk is the best, but in the very beginning until you build up your milk supply, an alternative choice is better than nothing.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

sounds like you have absolutely nothing to worry about.  There is no such thing as your milk not being suitable for your baby and there is no need to supplement.  As long as your baby is gaining weight (and she is) and having wet diapers (she is) and you have plenty of milk (you do), don't be concerned and don't change what you're doing.

Actually often doctors base their assumptions on formula fed babies, which tend to grow faster than breastfed babies (this is not necessarily a good thing, and there are studies on going to look further into this).... but breastfed babies make up later (and tend to do better on heaps of measures.....

As long as your diet is reasonable and you eat a regular amount of healthy fats (there is no need to eat extra fats, but don't choose low fat versions of foods, just eat the regular versions) your baby will get everything she needs.

I am sorry to rant, but I can't believe these doctors telling women that their milk is not good enough.  Formula is a wonderful second if women can't breastfeed, but breast is best and exclusively breastfeeding is just what nature intended.

[Diva2317]

My daughter has been tiny all her life. She was in the 3rd percentile for a long time and just now (that she's 3) she is in the 10th. Her pediatrician always said that as long as she looks healthy not to worry about it. I think those charts are **** and my mom always told me that they should just throw them out. I wasn't even on the chart as a kid and I was fine. So, I agree with the ladies who say not to worry about it.

[therese101]

thankyou so much everyone you have all put my mind at ease. he made me feel like a bad mum in a way i will keep up with what i am doing