Supplementing Breastfeeding??

Katie - posted on 11/05/2010

You said that he seems full and satisified after he nurses. If he's satisified, then he's probably getting enough. You could try adding some solid foods for added calories. If you start giving formula your supply will go down. My daughter went from the 50th percentile to the 25th, so her dr wanted her to start solids and wanted me to feed her more. We did that, but when I was feeding her more, she just spit up the extra I was giving her. That was when she was 4 1/2 months. She's now 7 months, and she's still in the 25th percentile, so we just figured that she's just going to be small like my hubby and I. Turn out, she didn't need to start solids as early as she did. (I didn't want to start any solids until she was 6 months) Maybe he's just going to be small. Some premies take a little while to catch up to their peers in weight. Hope everything turns out ok.

Shannon - posted on 11/04/2010

My first bub was born 6wks prem & weighed just 3lb 12oz on her 1st birthday she was just 15lb 4oz with all the drs/ped/nurses not once did they suggest I supplement feed. Booby milk is like gold a nurse once said to me especially for pre term bubs! You are doing great & what is best for your lo. Remember slow & steady always wins the race ha ha

Mandy - posted on 11/04/2010

Maybe you can go for a second opinion from a doctor who really understands and supports breastfeeding. Best of luck!

Ania - posted on 11/04/2010

if he is 5 months old start solids maybe? in addition to BF? Cereal...

Callie - posted on 11/03/2010

My daughter was born 2 weeks before my due date and was a normal weight (7# 10 oz.). But her weight has fallen to 18# at 10 months (15th percentile). I was worried that she was small but her pediatrician said not to worry bf babies are generally smaller in weight. And size can be genetic (ie if your a small person, your child might be as well). As long as your baby is active and meeting mile stones then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. The thing she said that helped relax me the most was 'it's always easier to gain weight than lose it'. So having a skinny baby isn't something to worry about. Bf promotes healthy eating behaviors!

Kathy - posted on 11/03/2010

He sounds perfect! And you're doing a great job, Alison!

Is he having 6-8 wet nappies per day? If he is, he's getting plenty!

All the best.

Elisabeth - posted on 11/02/2010

He sounds as big as my daughter at that age, and she was born at 8lb 5oz!
As for milk supply, I ate oatmeal EVERY day, to which I added ground flax seed and Brewer's yeast. I also took Milk Thistle and Fenugreek. I went from producing about 1/2 oz (both sides combined) to 2.5 oz (combined).

Sara - posted on 11/02/2010

I'm with the rest who think that he sounds like he's doing just fine. It's more important that they find their growth rate "groove" so to speak... that he's gaining consistently at his own rate. There are several charts out there, and sometimes staff even chart a little oddly and mis-figure those percentiles. And, as mentioned, the charts are based on formula-fed babies.
Incidentally, I think it's totally normal to only pump 50-70% of what your baby would take from a bottle. I think the best time to pump is in the morning, and you could consider pumping from the opposite breast while feeding. Also - oatmeal is a great (and easy!) lactation booster.

Steph - posted on 11/02/2010

my 5 month old is the same!! he's still eating every 2 hours, sometimes 4 hrs between during the evening. ive started giving him some formula and hes taken really well to it. What about if every second feeding you gave him formula?? your milk supply should quite easily adjust to that?? good luck!!

Andrea - posted on 11/02/2010

YES! What Teresa said - your breastmilk has more calories and fat than what you may start to supplement with - and honestly if you are worried about allergies, don't do the formula - he could easily not tolerate the milk base. I go by Kellymom's breastfed growth chart - much more accurate, but still JUST A GUIDELINE - and it's a guideline for children born on time - since yours was early, you really shouldn't worry yourself with it - it will be more frustrating than it's worth. My baby was born on time, at 7lbs 3oz, and was still only at 15 lbs at 8 months! And she is perfectly healthy. Both of my pediatricians (I moved) said so. She was feeding every 2-3 hours until she was 10 months! Then she went down to further stretches but only cause she had solids. Trust me, your baby is FINE - especially if he is happy and gaining. He is due for a growth spurt soon, just make sure to pay attention to signs of hunger and nurse MORE when he is hungry - even if he demands it every hour - then your supply will increase with his growth - and soon enough you will be introducing solids, ALONG with the milk (always milk first) and he will continue to grow.

You are doing great! Don't doubt yourself - the evidence is in the baby - not the numbers.

Teresa - posted on 11/02/2010

He sounds fine to me. As long as he IS growing and thriving I wouldn't even consider supplementing. Kids come in all shapes and sizes. Simply being small is, IMO, not a reason to supplement. Especially since what I hear is that breastmilk has more calories ounce for ounce that formula OR solids... Nurse him more if he wants, but if he's happy and healthy... let him be. :)

Celeste - posted on 11/02/2010

His weight gain is *PERFECT*. He's more than doubled his birth weight. Average weight gain is 4-5 oz for his age so his weight gain is right on! There is NOTHING you need to change!
Here is a chart from kellymom for average weight gain for breastfed babies
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/gro...

Alison - posted on 11/01/2010

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. To answer a couple of questions... He does nurse well through let down, and usually gets a few let downs each nursing session. Weight history..he was born at 36 1/2 weeks, and weighed 5lbs, 8 oz. It has been taking him 3-4 weeks to gain a pound and he was 5 months on the 23rd Oct, and weighs just under 12 lbs. I have been drinking nursing tea daily since he was born and try to eat all the good stuff for making good milk for my son. We are hoping to wait until 6 months for cereal/ solids because of my allergies and that he was a month early.

Michele - posted on 10/31/2010

I'm not a big advocate of supplementing for the reasons you mentioned. Perhaps you could change what you are eating to increase the fat content in your milk. Are you eating enough cheeses and meats? Also, is your baby nursing well through "let down"? The let down is the fat laden milk needed for good growth and weight gain. If not, capture that after he has had his fill-maybe he doesn't get it all. Good luck.

Alison - posted on 10/31/2010

My first daughter never matched the growth chart with her weight and age but developmentally she was where she should be. I would try and not worry about being on the growth chart it really is not very accurate. I did have to supplement with her because I could not pump enough while she was at daycare. What I did was nurse her when she was with me which was in the morning, night and weekends. She only got formula when she was at daycare. Kellymom.com has great tips on it if you have to supplement. Also have you tried herbs like fenugreek or mother milk tea to help boost your supply. I know it is not easy to pump with other kids but I would try and fit in a pumping session in the morning before you nurse.Have you tried going to a le leche league meeting near you they can help. Can he try solids since he is 5 months.

Celeste - posted on 10/31/2010

Can you give us a weight history? Starting with the LOWEST weight.

A few things:
-It's normal for babies to slow weight gain at around this age.
-Growth charts are based on FF babies, not breastfed babies.

FWIW, my twin boys were born 6 weeks early. One of them was OFF the weight charts and never supplemented nor was I ever recommended supplementing.

Alison - posted on 10/31/2010

He is gaining, but very slowly, and I would rather not start cereal before 6 months because I have a severe nut allergy and we need to be more cautious with the kids.

Hayley - posted on 10/31/2010

Is he gaining any weight? As long as he gains some weight I don't see a problem. I would have thought there would be a problem if he was losing weight?

Carolyn - posted on 10/30/2010

hmm have you thought about maybe adding some cereal ? theres some extra calories there. so you can nurse and then give him cereal once he is done the breast a couple times a day.

if you dont want to start cereal before 6 months, you could pump when he has his formula. if you continue to pump when baby usually feeds, you should be able to maintain your supply since you are removing milk from the breast at the same rate/time