Is newborns weight gain enough?

by conni
(canada)

My baby girl weighed 9 lbs 12 oz full term. She went down to 9 lbs 4 oz at her lowest in the first week. At 3 weeks she was back to her birth weight. She is a slow gainner and the midwife is concerned. Should I be? This week she gainned 3 oz in 10 days now ways 9 lbs 15 oz. She eats on average 10 times a day. Eats more in evening before bed cluster feeding. After she eats I can still express some milk. I had a breast reduction several years ago. I have 2 older boys and I did nurse both of them after my breast reduction, however, they were hungry more often than what it seemed other nurse babies were. The boys gainned weight very well. I have started fenugreek 3 times a day 3 pills at a time.

My daughter is happy and easy going and sleeps well, she looks great but should we worry?

Answer from the lactation consultant
You did not say how old she is now BUT a baby averages 4-7 ounces per week the first month,so you are almost there. My suggestion is to see a lactation consultant or your midwife to do a pre-feed weight and and a post (after) feed weight to assess how much the baby is emptying the breast at the feed. (if baby is not emptying well they may suggest supplementing with a SNS supplementer nurser system)

The other suggestion is to make sure you are emptying one breast before switching to the other side to nurse. That way the baby is getting the hindmilk, which is fattier, will be more satisfying and help them gain weight. If you are switching breasts before emptying they are getting more foremilk than hindmilk, this usually results in foamy stools as well. Here is a site I recommend you visit: www.bfar.com (geared toward reductions and breastfeeding)

Hope this helps and hang in there,

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC