The questions about weight and milk supply
The question about weight gain is often intertwined with the question “not enough milk?”. It is important to first clarify what is normal for a breastfed baby (see below). If you observe everything which is normal for a breastfed baby your baby is growing according to his or her age. Inspite of that, it is possible that you encounter some problems like restless breastfeeds - in such a case a lactation consultation is helpful.
If you realize a problem at one or several points when reading the description of the normal behaviour of a breastfed baby a lactation consultation is highly recommended, the sooner the better. Sometimes it is acceptable if a baby gains slower that age appropriate, but it is necessary to evaluate all factors. The lactation consultant IBCLC will plot the weight data as a curve, evaluate it and talk with you about it.
The assessment of professionals
Perhaps you have made the experience that several professionals have different opinions about the weight gain of your baby. Sometimes it occurs that a professional advises parents to urgently supplement without sufficient reasons, but it also occurs that professionals wait too long inspite of very slow weight gain in the hope that the problem will resolve itself. When this finally does not happen the suggestion of the bottle is given which easily leads to weaning and disappointment.
If your baby is really gaining not enough your baby does not have enough energy for drinking enough for him or herself and for upkeeping your milk supply. In this case, your baby needs help and mostly shows this by behavior.
You will be able to breastfeed your baby for months (and longer) if your baby grows according to his or her age through breastfeeding. Thus, both mother and baby will be contented. If your baby is gaining age appropriate your child has gained automatically enough for his or her health and development. If the weight gain is less than age appropriate it can happen that continuing breastfeeding might become difficult or impossible, but his or her health and development are not endangered. The criteria to continue breastfeeding are tighter than for health.
Does the assessment of your health care provider and professional correspond with your observations? If not, it might make sense to look for a second opinion.
Observations for most breastfed babies
For a baby, that is being exclusively breastfed, that means that is drinking only at your breast, the following is normal:
In the first two weeks:
Your baby latches spontaneously.
Your baby suckles 8 to 12 times within 24 hours or more often on both breasts, in the first days only few minutes, later a bit longer.
After maybe a short transitioning phase, the sucking of your baby is pleasant for you.
After the first two weeks:
Your baby latches spontaneously.
Your baby suckles 8 to 12 times within 24 hours or more often, always or mostly on both breasts.
Your baby is drinking only from your breast.
The sucking of your baby is pleasant for you.
Your baby has 5-6 wet disposable diapers per day or 6-8 wet cloth diapers per day, the urine is pale.
During the first 4 to 6 weeks, your baby has 2 to 5 bowel movements per day.
After the first 4 to 6 weeks, your baby continues to have (several) daily bowel movements or there is a pause up to 14 days between bowel movements (a big portion).
what is normal concerning weight gain?
In the first two weeks:
Your baby lost no more than 7% of his or her birth weight.
Your baby has regained to birth weight by 10 days of age.
After the first two weeks:
During the first two months, your baby girl gains at least 170 g every week - afterwards less.
During the first two months, your baby boy gains at least 210 g every week - afterwards less.
Your baby doubles his or her birthweight around 3 to 4 1/2 months.
If your baby gains like this, congratulations to his growth with your breastmilk! Lot of joy with breastfeeding your baby! If your baby grows slower there are possibilities to change something and to continue to enjoy breastfeeding. A lactation consultation is recommended soon to find out the reasons and if needed to supplement your baby with an at-breast suppplementer and thus help him to gain adequately.
If your baby has gained not enough for a longer period
The best is to avoid such a situation that the baby has not gained enough for a longer period. But sometimes it can happen through the combination of unfavourable circumstances. Such a situation means great stress for baby and parents. Sometimes a baby is being hospitalized which can be experienced as additional stress.
In such a situation you need support by somebody who strengthens you in your role as parents, talks with you openly about the overall situation with several factors, informs you about the possibilities and describes concrete steps out of the situation. You as parents decide about the interventions and you need support in this process.
Further information
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