Help

[Tiffiepooh]

Ok ladies I know that I have had my little girl but I need some advice. The pediatrician said she has lost too much weight and if she doesnt gain in back with supplament then she will be admitted to the hospital. I am breastfeeding her and I thought that since I was feeding her every three hours about 30 between both sides that she was ok. What should I do? Should I be worried or just follow what he says and let what happens happens? He is a pretty crappy person in my opinion too b/c he told me the worst case senarios today in the office and didnt reasure me any and just left. What the heck man? She is only 1 week old and they are already telling me I could lose her. What should I do?

[Tiffiepooh]

Thanks you ladies all for your advice and reassurance. We did the supplementing last night and when we went in for her weight check they said she gained 6 oz and her jaundice and sodium level was down. She had lost 14% of her weight and now we only have 14 oz and she will be back at birth weight. They want me to continue until she gets back to birth weight so I guess I will. I have pumped after feedings but she drains me dry. I pumped one time and just fed her formula and I got an oz so i know i am making part of what she needs if not all. Just got to get her back to birth weight and we will be good to go. I am giving her both of my breast and then an 2 oz of formula. Hope that when we go back in for our weight check Tuesday she will be close to birth weight and they will tell me I can stop supplementing. Thank you so much for your advice though ladies!

[Ready_4_Baby_2]

Well I was against using formula 4 subing but I had to. My daughter is a little jaundice & before my milk came in lost 10% of her weight. I give her an oz of formula after I nurse her. So far so good. After her appointment on Monday I'll stop.

[szw2008]

Its strange that your doctor would act like that. How much has she actually lost? If she's continually losing then stick her on there constantly and make sure she is awake and sucking. If she falls asleep make sure she's not too warm and cozy- even if you have to give her some gooey gooey loving and tickling to get her aroused again. One thing you have to do yourself is drink drink drink water- use the cup they give you in the hospital and keep it full and when she's munchin away, drink. When she's done, drink. Before- drink. Breastfeeding can be hard work at first, but keep it up. I personally won't supplement because I feel like if he's willing to work I need to stay hydrated and eating well enough to supply him enough to eat! Good luck and keep up the good work! You're a great mother and just asking ladies on here for advice shows that you care!

[bjbbeauchamp]

I had to supplement formula with my second daughter and after she gained a little bit of weight I stopped giving her the formula. If you have to, don't feel bad, as there are a lot of babies that have to until their mother's milk really comes in. I agree with FreshLove about pumping, that should help bring more in and you can see what your feeding her as of right now. Feed on demand and if she looses interest use a cool damp cloth to wake her so she will eat more. Good luck & I am sure everything will be fine;)

[FreshLove]

try pumping after each feeding to bring your milk in. i had to pump after each feeding and then the next time Gabriel was ready to eat i would feed him the ounce or 2 i had pumped earlier along with what he ate at breast.
His problem was latching so he'd get tired and fall asleep after 15 min or even when he fed for 20min each side he wasnt getting enough due to a poor latch.

Good luck, though!

And also, make sure you feed on demand. sometimes gabe eats every hour and it takes like 45 min to feed him so i feel like a feeding machine, lol. but newborns go through growing spurts. other times i have to wake him up after 3hrs to feed him.

And if you end up having to supplement formula with breast milk until she gains enough weight or figures out breast feeding don't worry. my mom did that with my youngest brother and it worked out just fine. She was eventually able to solely breast feed.

[Clysta]

Are you feeding her on demand or a schedule. Breastfeed babies should never be put on a schedule if you are. Anytime she makes any form of hunger cue put her to the breast. (Even if she just ate 30 minutes ago) Cues would be eating her hands, rooting, crying (this is a late hunger sign) opening and closing mouth, breathing rapidly, shaking head from side to side really fast, or smacking her head against your chest or arms.