Baby's growth rate

[MrsC]

Our little guy is almost 12 weeks and I'm a little concerned that his weight gain has slowed down. He was 8lb 2oz at birth, 10lb 2oz at 4 weeks, 12lb 4oz at 8 weeks and today at 11 weeks 3 days he was 13lbs. Assuming he gains a bit more in the next few days, that still means that he's gained about a pound less over the last month. This would definitely put him off his growth curve. Length wise, I think he is on track at the 75th percentile.
I only weighed him today because I joined a breastfeeding group and they weigh babies before and after feeding. His weight was the same after but I'm not surprised because he wasn't hungry and spent most of the time looking around.
The lactation consultant talked about weaning off the nipple shield because nursing is still taking forever. When I got home I finally got him to latch without it and felt stronger suction and he was swallowing way more often than usual. Yay!
I guess I'm wondering if I should see the Pedi about his growth slowing down or wait and see if nursing without the shield makes a difference? I'll have another BF group next week so I can weigh him then. He's right on track with all developmental milestones, even startdd rolling from front to back so there's no concern there.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I don't think you need to worry too much if he isn't fussy. Hungry babies let you know they're hungry. If he has starving from not getting enough/burning off his feed by nursing with the shield, I think you'd know it. FWIW, mine always move down the weight growth curve as time goes on. All have started 90+% and they're now at 65, 50, and 85 (little man hasn't fallen that far yet).

[OrionGrad]

How long is it until your next peds appointment? I wouldn't worry too much until then. Those baby scales can be off, so there's a good chance the scale at your breastfeeding group wouldn't say the same as the one in your peds office. (That happened to me. According to the scale at our lactation consultant's office, DS1 lost weight since his last peds appointment. I made another appointment at his peds office, and when we got there it turned out everything was fine.) Hopefully you can weigh him on the same scale at the breastfeeding group next week and see if he's gained. In the meantime, I'd say just keep doing what you're doing.

[Thirteen]

I don't think you need to worry too much if he isn't fussy. Hungry babies let you know they're hungry. If he has starving from not getting enough/burning off his feed by nursing with the shield, I think you'd know it. FWIW, mine always move down the weight growth curve as time goes on. All have started 90+% and they're now at 65, 50, and 85 (little man hasn't fallen that far yet).

Sound advice.


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[MrsC]

Thanks you! His next appointment is the 4 month one, about 5 weeks away. It's entirely possible that their scales were off. There's no fussiness, he's a happy little guy. I think he is going through a growth spurt as there has been a lot of cluster feeding over the last couple of days. The shield definitely slowed down nursing. He did well without it this evening but got a little frustrated at times. I just hope I don't end up sore and bleeding like I'm starting all over again. It will be worth it if it makes him more efficient though.

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[Howfunitis]

Don't know if this will make you feel better but my oldest was never above the 5% for anything except her HC. My sister called her a T. rex or Lolipop. It wasn't till scout 4 months ago that she is finally at the 50% but she will be 3 next month and still wearing 2T clothes.


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[MrsC]

Aww, my babies have head circumferences of 99% so they're huge lol. C started in the 60% range, then it went up gradually and he's still in the 90% range so I guess that's why it concerned me a little. I always thought it should go up or stay the same but I know every baby is different. I haven't even told DH he's gained less because he'd be pressuring me to supplement more. He asked me this morning if it was nearly time to wean. Guy does not understand how breastfeeding works at all!
Any tips on getting him to open his mouth wider to latch? He has a shallow latch without the shield.

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[Thirteen]

Aww, my babies have head circumferences of 99% so they're huge lol. C started in the 60% range, then it went up gradually and he's still in the 90% range so I guess that's why it concerned me a little. I always thought it should go up or stay the same but I know every baby is different. I haven't even told DH he's gained less because he'd be pressuring me to supplement more. He asked me this morning if it was nearly time to wean. Guy does not understand how breastfeeding works at all!
Any tips on getting him to open his mouth wider to latch? He has a shallow latch without the shield.

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Taco boob, hamburger boob, (depending on feeding position) and a staggered latch approach where you gently elongate (with one finger) his chin down once you have his mouth open and latches on top.
I'll try to find articles or videos with the staggered latch demonstration.
(DS1 had a shallow latch and a small mouth - this helped him a lot).


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[OrionGrad]

Have you watched the Jack Newman breastfeeding videos? I don't know how many there are on latching specifically, but I remember at least a couple.

[Howfunitis]

My oldest used the shield till I was close to 4 months. It was weird to have mouth to nipple contact but I'd make sure the nipple was touching her nose and she would open wide.


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[MrsC]

Thanks [MENTION=1497]Thirteen[/MENTION]. Having a lot of luck with taco boob!
I haven't watched those [MENTION=1924]OrionGrad[/MENTION]. I'll check them out!
@ Howfunitis. It is weird after using the shield for so long.
After giving the poor kid a chance, he did much better last night. I also learned that he loves the football hold. Haven't tried that since he was tiny.

[Thirteen]

Thanks [MENTION=1497]Thirteen[/MENTION]. Having a lot of luck with taco boob!
I haven't watched those [MENTION=1924]OrionGrad[/MENTION]. I'll check them out!
@ Howfunitis. It is weird after using the shield for so long.
After giving the poor kid a chance, he did much better last night. I also learned that he loves the football hold. Haven't tried that since he was tiny.

Aren't they funny, in their preferences? 😄


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[MrsC]

Well R just had a huge growth spurt and gained a pound in one week! Between all the cluster feeding and him doing far better without the shield, I am now suffering from oversupply Not a complaint though because I can nurse him for 20 minutes and be done. I have never been able to say that before with either baby. It makes life so much easier!