My baby is 13 weeks and not gaining weight very fast. He is 11lb, should I complement breast feeding with SMA?

Answer 1

Nurse more often; if there isn't enough milk for any reason, that will usually fix it. If you are pregnant or using any form of hormonal birth control, that could cause a low milk supply (and changing to a non-hormonal method would fix it), but otherwise, nursing more often should do it.

Before you give anything other than breastfeeding, contact La Leche League (see sources section below).

Answer 2

I seriously wouldn't worry about it at all.

I have breast fed my son since day one. He is long and lean. Those first few months were terrible. It seemed like I had to have this chubby baby. But, after consulting with my ped and my mom - I just let it be.

Now, he is three months and quickly made up for the lost time. He still is leaner than formula fed - but that is the standard for breast fed babies.

Also, remember that the growth charts for babies are for FORMULA fed. So, if any nurse or physicians aide gives you trouble let them know you know your stuff. Breast fed babies have a higher intolerance for obesity. This is a good thing.

Don't buy into the media stereotypes that babies have to be a big bundle of chubby rolls. It just isn't the case. Be thankful what you are doing now will cause your baby less heart ache in the future.

BTW, my son is 3 and a half months (Saturday) and his weighs a little over thirteen pounds and about 24 inches. He was born 9.8 lbs 21 1/2 inches. This is normal...

Answer 3

Depending on your baby's original birth weight, 11 pounds at 13 weeks may not be bad. However, the most important thing for you to do before supplementing breast milk with SMA is check with your child's doctor to make sure that he/she is developing normally. Also, make sure that you eating a proper, nutritious diet so that your baby is getting all that he/she needs from your milk. Monitor how often the child is feeding, as that also is a determination on whether or not your milk is sufficient. good luck.

Answer 4

New born babies will gain 4-8 oz per week in the first few months. It all depends on what your baby's birth weight was. If you figure that out, you'll have a better understanding of where he should be with his weight. A baby should be doulbe his birth weight by 6 months of age and triple it by a year. I would talk to you Dr before supplementing

Answer 5

Your baby should be still getting regular weight checks with your health visitor or the baby clinic still. If your health visitor has no reason for concern then you should relax.

All babies put on weight at different rates, some faster than others and some will appear on different percentile charts.

If you are at all concerned, then talk to your doctor or health visitor and they will give him the once over.

If breastfeeding seems to satisfy your baby, then no need to add formula to his diet, but once again, your health visitor or doctor should be able to advise you better.

Good luck, I'm sure everything is fine.

Answer 6

weight seems fine, listen dont go by websites and books that give an approximation of weight for babies, weight of kids depends on the parents and the family genes, slim people rarely have a huge big baby, go by how the baby is developing overall. is he happy, active, coherent, learning his age related things, responsive etc. other than that if you want to supplement its better to get an ok from the doctor coz whatever said and done, breastmilk is best. I have a 6 month old, my milk was watery according to the doc so I gave her formula from when she was 8 weeks (along with breastmilk) and she is doing awesome.

Answer 7

Yes I think so, especially if your baby seems hungry. I supplemented breatfeeding with one bottle of formula a day. Usually around 6:15 pm when my milk production was at it lowest and before I put him to sleep. It worked very well for me. He slept better and was generally more satified. His weight gain was right on target.
Be persistent with your breastfeeding though. Breastfeeding is the best present you can give your little one, it will last a lifetime!

Answer 8

At 13 weeks, 11 lbs is perfectly fine. Look at this growth chart:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set1clinical/cj41c017.pdf

You can see that at 3 months of age he's doing fine - his weight is normal for his age. Anything between the top and bottom lines of the white part of the curve is considered normal.

I wouldn't supplement with anything. Breast milk is best for him anyway. Most babies double their birthweight by about 4-5 months of age, so I would guess he's well on his way.

Answer 9

Go ahead and give the breast milk as well but I wouldnt worry to much as long as there is weight gain, my 14 month only weighs 16 lbs.

Answer 10

Definitely one to talk to the public health nurse or doctor about. If you introduce SMA, you run the risk of turning him off the breast completely.