Charlotte is nearly two and a half months old now. She´s growing fast and she´s still a big girl.
We had to take her to the doctor last night to get her eyes checked because she´s had some green goop coming out of one of them. Apparently she has conjunctivitus which is pretty common in newborns. I didn´t know this and I was relieved because it looked like something out of that Ray Charles movie, really horrid. No problem though we just have to treat it with eye drops.
The doctor also weighed her and was quick to point out she has only gained 250 grams (a half a pound) in the two weeks since her last check-up. The doc seemed really concerned about this because the normal gain is nearer to 500 grams or 1 pound each two weeks. Then we measured her and she had gained a whopping four centimeters! She´s completely off the charts for length at her age. Anyway the doc told me "it´s time to start thinking about bottle feeding because your supply is definitely low and there must be a problem with your milk. You could stunt her growth you know." I got a little angry but said nothing and she reiterated by saying, "not all mothers can breastfeed. " and I said under my breath "but luckily those who can´t have earplugs."
Naturally it bugged me that Charlotte isn´t gaining like she should. I´m pretty sure I have supply but I´m willing to admit it may have dropped because good old AF came back last week. It isn´t unusual because I got AF at the exact same time with Little S. I´m just not lucky enough to keep her at bay a whole year with breastfeeding.
I´m also worried about whether my milk is fatty enough to satisfy her and help her grow. I´m looking into that. I think I read somewhere, like in Penelope Leech´s book though that some babies gain length and not weight each time and not to worry if they are a little under.
I really wish there was a La Léche League here so I could go to a meeting and get some support. This doctor is really starting to bug me. She´s been against breastfeeding from day one. My earplugs keep falling out!
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Hm. According to the American Acadamy of Pediatricians the weight gain guidelines are 115 to 200 grams for the first "few weeks" then 450 to 900 grams a month -which breaks down to 115 to 225g a week - until 6 months and the apx 450 grams a month from 6 months to one year. So 250 grams in two weeks at ten weeks old is fine. At the lower end of the gain, but within the range. Especially if you look at the length growth (Dr. Sears says babies are bananas or apples - you've got a banana!)
If you've started your period, taking a calcium/magnesium supplement at the beginning of your period for few days is supposed to help with supply.
My Chiq has just had conjunctivitis too. Its pretty gross but very common and clears up quickly with the eyedrops.
As for the weight gain - UGGH! Your paed makes me so mad and I haven't even met her! I can't beleive she is making all these drastic recommendations based on one weigh in! Firstly, as the previous comment says, it looks like you are still in the normal range. Secondly, you can't say your milk supply is low because in one 2 week period she gained a little less than normal. It's not like they religiously put on the same amount of weight every 2 weeks. I don't honestly think you could draw the conclusion about low supply she consistently puts on a lot less.
I'm sure every book I've read and every breastfeeding friendly professional I've seen says a far more important indicator is whether the baby is thriving. You'll be able to see this for yourself and its measured by a lot of things on top of weight gain - is she happy, alert, in the normal range for milestones, lots of wet diapers, does she look healthy? I'm not saying there's no science to it, but personally, I think you would know if she was not thriving and was still hungry after you've fed her.
God, everyone is always so quick to say milk supply is low, when in reality I just think they can't cope with something that can't be measured. You can't say how many mls/ounces she drank, but that's not important if she's progressing and growing well. To me, it sounds like the doctor is overreacting and making you stress about it, which could effect your milk supply. Plus it seems she has a problem with the fact that you don't take her word for gospel maybe?
Good luck with Misschris! If it were me I woud try not to worry too much (I know, easier said than done) and trust your own instincts.
I don't necessarily have any advice, just some resources (forgive me if you've already checked these out).
http://moxie.blogs.com/askmoxie/
www.kellymom.com
Also, if the doc wouldn't have said anything about her weight, would you have been concerned - do you feel like she is satisfied after feeding?
swissmiss - that´s true that if she is growing longer then she would most likely be in the thinner range, logical I guess.
guera - the doc definitely feels breastfeeding is scorcery. I am confident though that she knows nothing about breastfeeding so I should just ignore her right? That said I do have some sensitivity regarding the fact that AF came back this week and Charlotte has been fussing a lot (trying I suppose to up the supply). The doc definitely hit a nerve and like you said lack of confidence is the last thing I needed/wanted right now in the middle of supply issues.
lauren - Yes I love Kellymom and it has saved me many times in the past! Moxie is great too. I think C looks healthy, yes and she seems to fall asleep after about twenty minutes at the breast. I don´t want to get to cocky about things though. I want to nip any supply issues in the bud before they get out of hand.
I see you've already been directed to Kellymom. A few comments there will resolve all your concerns I'm sure. As far as I can recall, that weight gain is exactly normal. Not only that, remember a lot of those weight gain charts are for formula fed babies, who do gain at a much faster rate than breastfed babies.
It *is* possible you've had a dip in supply, but that weight gain is not indicative of a problem. If you're concerned, have you tried any of the natural boosters such as fennel tea?
If at all possible, I'd find another pediatrician. It's so important to have one who meshes with your own parenting philosophies, and with whom you're in a cooperative relationship rather than combative.
Her weight gain seems OK to me. I think she is putting the energy into length. Plus, she started out as a big girl and this may be her way of leveling out.
Why are you concerned about your supply? Is it only because of the doctor or is there more to it (besides AF)? AF will have some impact on supply, but I think it should rebound quickly (this from the woman who didn't get AF for more than 15 months). I read a study showing that extra calcium that time of month helps maintain the supply. Does Charlotte seem satisfied after feedings?
I'm so sorry that you aren't in a breastfeeding supportive society. I did have early issues with supply (due to the postpartum preeclampsia) and I benefited so much from working with a lactation consultant to boost my supply AND my confidence.
We may need to surgically attach those earplugs. . .
When my youngest was breastfeeding, the doctor advised me to drink a beer with yeast in it at the end of the day. Said second-time mothers tend to be more stressed, running around, etc, and the beer helps you calm down. Since I dislike beer, I substituted red wine, and that baby is now 6'2" and 180 lbs., so I'm figuring it worked! He breastfed for about a year...
I'm delurking to give my two cents. (I found you through your house blog) My daughter was born 7 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia, and the breastfeeding assistance from a lactation consultant through the NICU was an absolute blessing. I'd second em's suggestion of tracking down a lactation consultant in your area. You will find the support and informed medical opinion you need, and perhaps she can put you in touch with a group of other breastfeeding women. Good luck!
I commented on your other blog before reading this post. OMG. You are fine. She is gaining and that's the important thing. Also, my pediatrician for Jack was very pro-breastfeeding and said the weight gain should be around 600grams per month, which would make Charlotte's gain just about right. 50 grams is nothing. (You might have just fed her before the last weighing in and not this time, etc.)
If you did not think you had a supply issue previously to the dr's comments, you most likely do not.
Only supplement if you are ready to give up breastfeeding.
In my comment on your other blog I suggested a nurse-in. That would definitely increase your supply, better than fennel or any herbal teas, in my opinion.
P.S. Also what Jadie said! Beer boosts supply like mad. And you probably haven't been drinking lately, so just half a glass will have you soooooooooo relaxed.
Ditto on the beer! Whenever I was worried about a dip in supply it was Guinness for me (that was my excuse ;-)). It definitely worked.
Though I drink fennel tea or mother's milk tea daily, I'm not convinced it's done much to my supply. I mainly drink it because it's about the only thing I know is safe and doesn't cause a problem for DD (I can't have caffeine, if I do, she is nuts).
Yay beer!
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