Was breast feeding not enough for your child?

**Kelsey1224** · 03-18-2005, 03:43 PM

My daughter is very upset. She took Emily in for her checkup (she is 8 weeks old) and the doctor said she was "starving".

My daughter has been breastfeeding every three hours and Emily is a very contented baby. She never acts like she hasn't gotten enough or that she is hungry. She sleeps well and has gained weight...but not enough according to the doctor.

My daughter is prepared to supplement the feedings with formula if that's what's needed.

She is just very upset by how the doctor worded things. She feels like he thinks she has been neglecting Emily and that's truly not the case. In fact, when Emily got her vaccinations, my daughter just burst into tears in the office.

He acted like she should know that Emily wasn't getting enough because she is so thin. Well...T.J. was always on the thinner side as well...but he is hardly malnourished. My daughter just thought that she had thin babies...not chunky ones.

(BTW...if you look at Emily, your first thought would NOT be that she is a skinny baby.)

Did any of you not produce enough milk for your baby?

**Advertisement** · 03-18-2005 03:43 PM

**janelle** · 03-18-2005, 03:52 PM

My mother didn't produce milk for my sister and her doctor said my sister was starving, but then she had been crying a lot so my mother was relieved to find out what was wrong.

Don't blame yourself. I don't think the doc was. Just explaining. If the baby hadn't been crying how can you know anyway? My mother didn't know and my sister was yelling.

She didn't breast feed after that so my brother and me were bottle fed. She might have been able to go back but bottle fed was the thing to do when I was born.

**nanajoanie** · 03-18-2005, 04:08 PM

My breastfed babies were smaller than the bottle fed one. Breastfed babies seem to be healthier with immunity from colds, flu, other diseases for about the 1st 6 months. If the baby is gaining a little all along, I'd stick with the program. Seems too many doctors, nurses, etc. are so quick to dismiss breastfeeding, the most natural thing in the world. Good luck baby

and Mommy

and Nana

**tiffya** · 03-18-2005, 05:21 PM

My sister in-law had this problem and she continued to breastfeed but just gave the baby formula in addition to it.

**SweetMomma** · 03-18-2005, 05:28 PM

If she's gaining weight ok, and everything else was fine, I'd still just stick to breastfeeding. My son hadn't gained a lot of weight by his 2 month check up(also a breast baby), but by his 4 month visit, he had doubled his weight.
All babies gain weight differently, and the so-called "norm" is just an educated guess as far as I'm concerned!

**renagade** · 03-18-2005, 05:34 PM

Her milk might not have enough nurishment in it. Thats what happen to my friend years ago. Her baby wasn't gaining very much and she was very thin. The dr said to give her formula and go ahead and breast feed also. Well it seemed to work cause she started gaining weight.I on the other hand had enough milk to feed three kids. LOL

**Faithfully** · 03-18-2005, 05:40 PM

I had the same problem with my son. That blasted me too, though I was breastfeeding almost constantly. I ended having to give it up after 6 weeks,and bottle feed, which he did much better at. He had different circumstances though, and was born premature, and very sick I was just glad he got the best milk I could give, with the colustrum ect. I would suggest keep up the breast feeding, and supplement with a few bottles.

He is now a tall, healthy 12 year old. I think mothers know much more then Dr's in alot of instances, and I'm sure she is doing a wonderful job!

Emily is beautiful!

**queenangie** · 03-18-2005, 05:56 PM

Bottom line is this: is baby gaining weight and growing adequately?

If baby is not gaining weight adequately on the nursing,
she should suppliment with a bottle.

I'd always vote 1st for breast feeding, but
whether it is for six weeks,
six months,
or longer,
if baby is NOT gaining weight or
'having failure to thrive',
have to look at the alternatives.

Growing brain cells need nutrition.

**yannahk** · 03-18-2005, 06:01 PM

I am the mother of a beautiful 10 week old baby girl that has been given nothing but breast milk. She was born at almost eight pounds and is currently a little over twelve pounds. With my older daughter, I gave her formula and she was eighteen pounds by this time! Really, I think breast milk just produces thinner babies.

latestdish · 03-18-2005, 06:04 PM

I had a similar problem, and went through a hard time via that route, with dd Faith. Despite being born at over 10 pounds (really), and faithful breastfeeding, and consistent weight gain, they actually said at my dds 2 week appointment that she was suspected "failure to thrive." Turned out to be unfounded, and I was heavily pressured to give up breast feeding altogether, and formula feed (did it, because they contacted CYF, and I was ordered to, just for that). DD was, and is still mostly healthy, but I still wonder to this day if what I went through was necessary. It was expunged off my record with them, but it can haunt you for a while. My so called "husband" who I am now in a divorce process with, had mentioned in legal papers that I was investigated by CYF for that. True, but so was he, and his name was on the papers also, and it came up unfounded. He also was unemployed at the time, and was a 50-50 partner in my newborn's care at the time. (I had a complicated situation requiring extra rest from a hard delivery, due to Faith's weight, etc. No, I am far from lazy, and did most of her care starting a 1 month, etc.) Will pray for you. I know how nerve wracking that feels. It is hard enough to be a new mom. To top that off, when I was in labor, I had to take two Port Authority buses to the hospital, and I was in a lot of pain, and very overdue, also. Yellow Cab refused to show up to my home. Giving birth to her was hard, although I consider her a miracle worth every moment of the situation. I am confident that she is a great mother, and the Lord will provide to prove that true. I would actually consider advising her to supplement her breast feeding with a bottle, but to be careful what bottle she uses, to avoid nipple confusion.

**disneymom** · 03-18-2005, 06:52 PM

can i ask what she weighs and how long? if emily isnt screaming her head off, and is wetting diapers, thatr is a pretty good sign she is getting enough. she needs a new ped! i had onw who totally came down on me for b/f whjich it seems thats what he is doing! before she suppliments please tell her to get a 2nd opinion

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