Continue to EBF or Supplement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

I still don't really get why you don't think it's "fatty" enough for him. Also, only be nervous when it's actually a problem. From what you explained, you don't have a problem.

[Anonymous]

My kids are always in the 30th percentile of weight. It isn't breastfeeding that's the problem. They're just genetically thin. They're growing and thriving. So if you want to continue to EBF, go for it.

But if you're looking to supplement, go for it. I wouldn't do it to fatten him up because there isn't a problem there. But if you want it for you, that is fine

[Anonymous]

Op I agree with others that it doesn’t sound like there is any problem here and it’s highly unlikely your breastmilk is not fatty enough. There is absolutely nothing saying you should be trying for you son to be 50th percentile, it’s just not how percentiles work. There are healthy kids that fall in all percentiles. I totally understand how anxiety producing these first months can be though and I agree with others that there is absolutely nothing wrong with formula. I would just try to reflect on the anxiety though because that is so normal during this time and is more likely what’s going on, not any issues with your babies weight or milk. I say this with so much empathy as I was there myself!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

OP, you really should think about why it’s important to you that your boy is at the median. Statistically half of boys are going to be below, and there’s no reason why that’s bad. If he’s meant to be a 30-40th percentile kid, he will be unless you keep feeding him more calories than he needs. This is raising red flags whether you’re talking about Bm, formula, or solids. Please think about it and consider talking to your doctor if it seems like it could be related to POD/PPA. And talk to your pediatrician about whether he needs extra calories.

Omg stop. This is not raising red flags. She is just a first time mom worried that her baby is smaller than average and wanting to make sure he is getting enough calories. Everyone is always worried about making sure they are not starving their baby. If the baby doesn’t want it he won’t drink it - I don’t hear anything about force feeding the baby. Most likely your pediatrician is going to say sure, offer it if you want, but he doesn’t *need* it based on what I see.

Everyone is really not worrying and struggling like you’re implying. Please stop making OPs post about your issues, it’s distracting and not helpful.

[Anonymous]

The doctors have always told us that what is important is your baby's curve shows consistent growth - not what percentage they are.

My oldest was a little low-weight as a newborn and then was maybe 20th percentile throughout his baby days. He lost weight when he started going to solids and has been below 3% ever since - but he's a healthy, happy 9 year old now. He just doesn't really like eating very much, and he is a very picky eater. He's still very thin and on the short side but not super short (20-30th percentile). Some kids are just like this, and the doctors were never concerned about it.

I think you can do what you want. If it will make you feel better to give some formula, then do. I doubt it will make a difference. Just don't worry too much about his weight - he sounds healthy and happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

I still don't really get why you don't think it's "fatty" enough for him. Also, only be nervous when it's actually a problem. From what you explained, you don't have a problem.

OP here. My LC said based on the fat in my pumped milk ( I pumped once a day) it’s likely that I don’t have fatty milk. He is getting enough milk but still eats every 2 hours and every 2-3 hours at night. My LC said he shouldn’t need to eat so frequently at night. He still eats 10-12 times a day like a newborn. I’m wondering if giving him 1-2 bottles of formula a day will help get him more calories. I would like for him to gain a little more weight and sleep longer stretches at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

I still don't really get why you don't think it's "fatty" enough for him. Also, only be nervous when it's actually a problem. From what you explained, you don't have a problem.

OP here. My LC said based on the fat in my pumped milk ( I pumped once a day) it’s likely that I don’t have fatty milk. He is getting enough milk but still eats every 2 hours and every 2-3 hours at night. My LC said he shouldn’t need to eat so frequently at night. He still eats 10-12 times a day like a newborn. I’m wondering if giving him 1-2 bottles of formula a day will help get him more calories. I would like for him to gain a little more weight and sleep longer stretches at night.

Op that changes a lot for me. I didn’t want you to be worried about his weight unnecessarily but if he’s still feeding every two hours at four months you must be exhausted! A little formula sounds like a great solution to hopefully get you a little more rest. Sounds like a great plan!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

I still don't really get why you don't think it's "fatty" enough for him. Also, only be nervous when it's actually a problem. From what you explained, you don't have a problem.

OP here. My LC said based on the fat in my pumped milk ( I pumped once a day) it’s likely that I don’t have fatty milk. He is getting enough milk but still eats every 2 hours and every 2-3 hours at night. My LC said he shouldn’t need to eat so frequently at night. He still eats 10-12 times a day like a newborn. I’m wondering if giving him 1-2 bottles of formula a day will help get him more calories. I would like for him to gain a little more weight and sleep longer stretches at night.

That is just not true. Breastmilk is digested quickly. I breastfed 3 kids and they all ate at least every 2-2.5 hrs, until 6 months. But they would go through spurts where they would want to nurse what felt like non-stop all day and sometimes at night. This is normal. I had one that woke in the night frequently to eat, 1 that sometimes did, 1 not at all. The frequency of how often they want to nurse is not an indicator they are not getting enough milk. Plus breastfed babies sometimes just want to be latched on an sucking, out of comfort rather than hunger. Losing weight and dropping weight percentile for age/height is the best indicator they are not getting enough milk. And since that isn't what is happening, you are making enough milk!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Girl, if you are nervous just supplement. Formula isn’t poison and your baby has already gotten all the benefits to breastfeeding! There’s nothing magical about EBF vs 90% breast milk / 10% formula. I promise!

This. Also, you will be starting solids soon and thus, not EBF anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

I still don't really get why you don't think it's "fatty" enough for him. Also, only be nervous when it's actually a problem. From what you explained, you don't have a problem.

OP here. My LC said based on the fat in my pumped milk ( I pumped once a day) it’s likely that I don’t have fatty milk. He is getting enough milk but still eats every 2 hours and every 2-3 hours at night. My LC said he shouldn’t need to eat so frequently at night. He still eats 10-12 times a day like a newborn. I’m wondering if giving him 1-2 bottles of formula a day will help get him more calories. I would like for him to gain a little more weight and sleep longer stretches at night.

Op that changes a lot for me. I didn’t want you to be worried about his weight unnecessarily but if he’s still feeding every two hours at four months you must be exhausted! A little formula sounds like a great solution to hopefully get you a little more rest. Sounds like a great plan!

+1. Lol, OP, kindly, way to bury the lede. While I don't think that gaining weight itself will help him sleep longer stretches, I think it's worth a shot to see if a bottle of formula before bed helps him sleep longer. Have you tried sleep training? REALLY not trying to start a sleep training discussion (please believe me!), but he could be waking out of habit and may need some encouragement to sleep longer. I think we were at about 3 wakeups a night at 4 months, which is perfectly average for babies that age. And I had a BIG baby who still didn't sleep through the night, whereas my nephews were teeny babies that slept through starting at 6-8 weeks. It's more about temperament and habits, not size.

Look, my heart really goes out to all of the FTM moms in the pandemic. I couldn't imagine figuring all of this out myself without moms groups and friends with same aged babies to chat with. Please know that what you're describing is totally within the realm of normal, and you'll find all sizes of babies on all combinations of milk having very different sleep patterns at this age. If it's not working for YOU, then I think a bit of formula now and solids whenever you're ready for that are definitely worth a shot. If it gets sleep to a sustainable point, then great. If not, then you can be reassured that you tried. Win win.

[Anonymous]

I would listen to the ped in this situation.

[Anonymous]

If your pediatrician is not concerned, then I would not be concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

I still don't really get why you don't think it's "fatty" enough for him. Also, only be nervous when it's actually a problem. From what you explained, you don't have a problem.

Literally nothing about OP's baby suggests that supplementation is necessary. Some babies are smaller than average. If he's staying on his growth curve, there's almost certainly no problem. If you want to offer a bottle of formula, that's completely fine, but your pediatrician isn't telling you to supplement because it's not necessary.

[Anonymous]

Trying formula to see if it helps him sleep better is a perfectly reasonable idea. Formula because your LC said she doesn't think you have "fatty milk" or because you want him higher on the growth charts when he's maintaining his growth chart perfectly is not a great idea. Aside from sleep, there is nothing to "fix" here. Your baby is perfect as he is and you are doing a great job meeting his needs. Supplement if you need a break or want to see if it helps him sleep or just for funzies, but know there is not a problem here that needs to be fixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. He is almost 14lbs but the pediatrician said most boys that age are 15-16lbs. He does eat very often during the day and sleeps well at night. I’m still nervous he will fall off his growth curve or that my milk isn’t fatty enough for him. I think I’m going to start giving him 1 bottle of formula a day for some extra calories.

OP, you really should think about why it’s important to you that your boy is at the median. Statistically half of boys are going to be below, and there’s no reason why that’s bad. If he’s meant to be a 30-40th percentile kid, he will be unless you keep feeding him more calories than he needs. This is raising red flags whether you’re talking about Bm, formula, or solids. Please think about it and consider talking to your doctor if it seems like it could be related to POD/PPA. And talk to your pediatrician about whether he needs extra calories.

Omg stop. This is not raising red flags. She is just a first time mom worried that her baby is smaller than average and wanting to make sure he is getting enough calories. Everyone is always worried about making sure they are not starving their baby. If the baby doesn’t want it he won’t drink it - I don’t hear anything about force feeding the baby. Most likely your pediatrician is going to say sure, offer it if you want, but he doesn’t *need* it based on what I see.

Everyone is really not worrying and struggling like you’re implying. Please stop making OPs post about your issues, it’s distracting and not helpful.

You are the one projecting and claiming she has PPD/PPA when I hear nothing unusual - THAT is unhelpful.