How Can I Bring Up Baby’s Weight Without Supplementing?

[Anonymous]

I’m a FTM and I’m learning how to breastfeed. It’s going well so far but we have had issues with weight gain. I’m not sure if it’s because of sleepiness or low supply, but he didn’t regain his birth weight back at 2 weeks and the pediatrician said he didn’t gain enough at his 4 week appointment. She advised us to supplement, but I do not want to. We have tried about 5 different formulas and my baby refuses them all. She recommended a European formula that seems to taste more like breastmilk, but I’m not comfortable with that for many reasons. The lactation consultant said to keep trying and the frequent feedings should boost my supply. I feed him every two hours around the clock. Another option was to pump and feed, but I don’t want because I don’t think he will want to breastfeed if he is only bottle fed for the next month. It also seems like a lot of work. How can I bring up his weight with breastfeeding?

[Anonymous]

Find a formula that works. Breastfeeding is not working.

[Anonymous]

I did what is called triple feeding: nursed for 20 minutes total on one side. Then I handed off the baby and pumped both sides for 10 minutes. Whatever I pumped was given to the baby. At first I got drops after pumping. But I did it religiously for a day and a half at every feeding. On the second day, I was pumping 5oz after I had just nursed for 20 minutes. Clearly my supply cranked up, and baby gained a lot in a few days. I did this with both kids.

Not going to lie—it was intense. But it was just for a couple of days. Once we did that weight check, I backed off that pumping session after nursing. Definitely needed help of spouse to hand off baby while I pumped right after nursing.

[Anonymous]

I was very against supplementing...and now with hindsight, the most important thing is feeding the baby. My kid is in college and it bothers me still that I may have left him hungry. Try pumping after feeding but also add formula. Follow your pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

HIPP is a great formula for mostly breastfed babies, OP. Don’t believe the propaganda. All three of my breastfed babies happily took the formula when needed.

You have to get your baby’s weight up. That trumps any and all of your desires.

[Anonymous]

You need to supplement, or pump after feeds. Those are your two options. I was like you. I cried, it was so hard and sad for me especially being post partum. I asked my pediatrician, “but what happens when babies in third world countries have this issue? Frequent breastfeeding HAS to work eventually!” My ped said, well, those babies usually just get malnourished if there isn’t another woman who can offer him her breast a few times a day.

So, let your baby get malnourished and lose out on precious brain development, or, just pump or use some formula.

[Anonymous]

FFS, just supplement. You can stop once he gets the hang of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a FTM and I’m learning how to breastfeed. It’s going well so far but we have had issues with weight gain. I’m not sure if it’s because of sleepiness or low supply, but he didn’t regain his birth weight back at 2 weeks and the pediatrician said he didn’t gain enough at his 4 week appointment. She advised us to supplement, but I do not want to. We have tried about 5 different formulas and my baby refuses them all. She recommended a European formula that seems to taste more like breastmilk, but I’m not comfortable with that for many reasons. The lactation consultant said to keep trying and the frequent feedings should boost my supply. I feed him every two hours around the clock. Another option was to pump and feed, but I don’t want because I don’t think he will want to breastfeed if he is only bottle fed for the next month. It also seems like a lot of work. How can I bring up his weight with breastfeeding?

Part of being a Mom is putting aside your ideal and wants to meet the NEEDS and health of your child. If breast milk is your number one goal start with pumping and doing the extra work.

[Anonymous]

I actually read your post unlike most of the other posters. If he's not taking formula, I would try pumping and then mixing the pumped milk with the formula to see if your baby will take that. That might help him accept the taste.

I understand why you would be uncomfortable buying European formula - it's not regulated and there are a lot of fakes out on the market. I would be scared of not getting authentic formula if I were ordering online, too.

[Anonymous]

You can’t. He needs to be fed. Supplement. Don’t starve your baby. It’s not your fault. Sometimes it just doesn’t work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to supplement, or pump after feeds. Those are your two options. I was like you. I cried, it was so hard and sad for me especially being post partum. I asked my pediatrician, “but what happens when babies in third world countries have this issue? Frequent breastfeeding HAS to work eventually!” My ped said, well, those babies usually just get malnourished if there isn’t another woman who can offer him her breast a few times a day.

So, let your baby get malnourished and lose out on precious brain development, or, just pump or use some formula.

Your pediatrician was gentle. It’s not just that they’re malnourished. Why do you think infant mortality is so high? I’m sorry about but no matter what, your baby needs to be fed. You have clean water and you have formula…and/or pumped milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually read your post unlike most of the other posters. If he's not taking formula, I would try pumping and then mixing the pumped milk with the formula to see if your baby will take that. That might help him accept the taste.

I understand why you would be uncomfortable buying European formula - it's not regulated and there are a lot of fakes out on the market. I would be scared of not getting authentic formula if I were ordering online, too.

UK HIPP is more strictly regulated than any American formula (most of which are made abroad). Go to a licensed distributor like formuland.com.

I tasted it. It does taste like breastmilk and was created as a supplement to breastfeeding. I highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HIPP is a great formula for mostly breastfed babies, OP. Don’t believe the propaganda. All three of my breastfed babies happily took the formula when needed.

You have to get your baby’s weight up. That trumps any and all of your desires.

OP here. I don’t feel comfortable with imported formula with the pandemic. I have no clue how it’s stored and if anything will be contaminated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FFS, just supplement. You can stop once he gets the hang of things.

OP here. He won’t take formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually read your post unlike most of the other posters. If he's not taking formula, I would try pumping and then mixing the pumped milk with the formula to see if your baby will take that. That might help him accept the taste.

I understand why you would be uncomfortable buying European formula - it's not regulated and there are a lot of fakes out on the market. I would be scared of not getting authentic formula if I were ordering online, too.

OP here. I’ve tried 5 different major formulas for the past two weeks with pumped milk ( hand expressing and Haakka) and he refused to take it.