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mw suggesting topping up with formula
hi huns.
I'm a new mum, baby Lydia is 11 days old. I have been BFing sinse day 1. At first it was a struggle and i don't think my c section helped. But once my milk started coming through and her latch got better things started to improve. She was born weighing 8lb 1oz zt 39 weeks but by her day 5 check had fallen to 7lb 2oz which the mw wasn't too worried about cos of my initial feeding troubles and were improving. So on day lydia was weighed again and she had gained 3oz so we were pleased with that. Then on day 10 she was weighed again and had gained another 1.5oz but the mw said she'd have prefered her to have gained 2oz and so we're reweighing on day 13. If lydia hasn't gained another 3oz they want me to top up with formula but i really want to avoid this.
While she's still gaining weight, is alert, happy, having plenty of wet and dirty nappies then is it that bad she only gained 1.5oz over 2 days rather the 2 oz the mw would have prefered.
In my opinion she was a big baby for 39 weeks at 8lb 1oz. I was only 6lb 6oz when born at full term so she weighs more than i did at her stage.
Should i be taking the mw's advice or going by my own instint? Obviously if her weight stays static then i'll take there advice but while she's gaining weight and is healthy in every other way i don't see the obsession with an ounze of weight gain a day as long as she's nor far off.
I'm worried that introducing formula will decrease my milk supply and end up with me having to stop BFing. I've been told to express milk and top her up with it to increase her weight but once she's finished feeding she's not interested in more milk and sicks it up like she's had too much so surely she's getting enough milk heself.
She does feed for a long time, sometimes over an hour and regularly but she's only 11 days old so i thought that was normal.
Anyone else been advised to top up with formula? Did u manage to sustain BFing or did your milk supply decrease?
Any advice appreciated
thank you xxxxx
Hi BooBoo
Problem is I think (someone will correct me if Im wrong) that growth charts are based on formula feed babies, George was never gaining enough according to them so I did succume and give formula and then I couldnt feed him myself as I wasnt making enough.
Youre right if shes alert, plenty of wet nappies then I think you should stick to your guns.
x
thanks for the quick reply gem
i will check that with the mw when they re weigh. I have heard that myself though.
Its annoying me the mw's are suggesting formula cos my baby looks so healthy, with cubby cheeks and doesn't look small at all.
I had a feeling formula would lead to dec milk production.
Thanks again xx
Hey BooBoo
You are doing a fantastic job chick and i think you should absolutely go with your instincts and not top up with formula. Humour the m/w when you see her but do what you think is best for Lydia and you. As you say, she sounds like she is thriving and doing so well with the b/f'ing. I think sometimes the m/w maybe rely on charts etc a little bit too much. You're right, as long as she is still gaining, what does it matter if it's just a tiny bit less than the m/w would like.
I know i haven't ever breast fed my own baby (yet) but in my experience working on a special care baby unit, we'd be very happy with the progress you and Lydia are making!! Hope this helps.
All the best hun. xxx
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "rallygirl" (Jul 22nd 2011, 12:49pm)
is there a BF group near you? I would seek their advice. I'm at work so can't check Martha's red book, but I thought they only put on 4 - 7 oz a week at that age anyway. Personally I would hold off with the top ups for a few days and see how you go. Is there a weigh in clinic you can go to where you can perhaps talk to a different MW or HV?
me 38, DP 44, ttc since 2005
BFP May 07 - HB seen @ 8 wks but CRL only 7 weeks, m/c @ 9 wks
BFP Jan 08 -m/c @ 11 wks (D&C)
BFP Jun 08 - early loss
BFP Dec 08 - HB & CRL ok @ 8 wks, but sac too small, m/c @ 9 wks
BFP Apr 09 - Martha born 9th Jan 2010
BFP Feb 12 - Eliza born 13th Oct 2012 | |
hi jensqui
i have seen a BF councillor and been to a BF group this week and sinse both Lydia's latch and feeding has improved. I'm gettin her weighed again tomorrow by a different mw so maybe she will give different advice. Also i have an apt with BF guru (as the mw put it) on tues. So i'm very active in getting this right.
I just don't want to rush into formula top ups before i see the expert BF lady on tues and i feel lydia is getting enough milk from me. She-s maybe just petite like i am.
The only difficulty i'm having at the moment is she feeds for a long time and very frequently on a night. But i always thought that was normal.....
Thanks for replying hun xx
she is still very young and I am pretty sure Martha did the same at that age, basically cluster fed all evening, so I would say it can be normal! If you are happy and she is bright and alert and gaining rather than losing weight then personally I wouldn't top up right now. If you do end up topping up for a few days then remember you can always express if you are worrried about your milk supply.
me 38, DP 44, ttc since 2005
BFP May 07 - HB seen @ 8 wks but CRL only 7 weeks, m/c @ 9 wks
BFP Jan 08 -m/c @ 11 wks (D&C)
BFP Jun 08 - early loss
BFP Dec 08 - HB & CRL ok @ 8 wks, but sac too small, m/c @ 9 wks
BFP Apr 09 - Martha born 9th Jan 2010
BFP Feb 12 - Eliza born 13th Oct 2012 | |
I really regret taking the HVs advice about topping up with formula. It is slippery slope and once you start your breast milk does decline and it is temping just to do a formula feed here and there, and they next thing you know you are exclusively formula feeding. I did top up with expressed breast milk for a while but that is a triple whammy because you have to breast feed, then top up and then express so it is non-stop. One of my LOs turned out to be allergic to formula but by the time we found out it was too late as my milk had declined so much.
Do whatever feels right to you and don't feel that you have to follow the HVs advice just because she needs to tick certain boxes.
Newly Wed
ICSI December 2008 - chemical pregnancy
ICSI May 2009 - BFN
FET September 2009 - BFP
Beautiful twin girls born 30 April 2010
thanks for all the advice. Its really appreciated.
The mw should be coming tomorrow to do the weighing and as long as Lydia is putting on i'm just going to stick to my guns cos then i just don't see how they'd have a case for me to top up with formula.
I was advised to top up with expressed in the mean time but she is always sick afterwards like i'm forcing it down her so i'm stopping that off too. whats the point in forcing expressed milk down her if it makes her sick?!
She's been on me feeding most of today anyway so hopefully she'll be putting on the weight. I was googling and it seems mw's and HV's like them to regain there birth weight by day 10 to 14 but thats unrealistic.
Anyway i'm going to go with my mummy insticts for now. Thanks again everyone
xxxxx
Topping up
Hiya,
I agree with the others, go with your instinct and don't top up with formula yet. Babies are clever and will take what they need, stimulating your body to produce what's needed. Sounds to me like you've done the hardest part (sorting the latch out!) and now you're motoring. There's nothing wrong with topping up with formula if you decide you want to, but I'd go with your instinct - and it sounds to me like you're doing brilliantly! :-) xxx
May09:ICSI-sperm issues
Jul09: BFP! DS born Mar10
Jan12: ICSI-LOR-BFP-lost at 3 days
May12: looking 4 donor eggs
Hi hun
I'm sorry you've got weight gain problems and are being pressured. It sounds like you're both doing great, cluster feeding and waking a few times in the night are all perfectly normal both my DD's have done the same. I agree with the others and think you should stick to your guns for the sake of 1oz which she can easily lose if she does a pee or poo before she's weighed.
I had similar problems with DD1 and was told some pretty shocking things while we were still in hospital, she didn't regain her birth weight until she was 2 weeks and 6 days, by a stroke of luck the HV I had that weighed her was an ex midwife and very pro BF, she had just been away on course where they were told to allow BF babies up to 3 weeks to regain their birth weight depending on the circumstances, that was 2009 so I'm not sure if they've changed things since then.
Good luck and don't forget you're doing a great job!
xxx
No other practical advice to add except to say that your instincts are right, your bay IS gaining weight, you ARE doing it right and your baby needs nothing more than the milk you are producing. Keep up the good work.
hi peeps,
thanks again for the advice.....bit of an update:
mw came today and Lydie has put on 1.5 oz in 2 days and the mw was happy with that.
So we are carrying on as we are and tues i have an apt with a bf councilor.
Very glad formula wasn't advised today
xxx
on 12/02/12
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