I'm breastfeeding and would prefer to keep it that way but I have a gut feeling he's not getting enough protien and putting on weight like he should. He seems content after he eats but could he just be used to the amount he's been getting? Is he not getting the fatty hind milk, does that contain more protien? and how would i get it out?? please i need suggestions, i want my little boy to grow up big and strong, he's so little for a 3 month old.
2006-12-05 03:24:54 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He gets his nutrients from you so you can try drinking a protein shake once a day and that will help him also.
2006-12-05 03:30:47 · answer #1 · answered by Ndpndnt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's content after he eats, chances are he is getting enough to eat. He would definitely let you know if he was hungry. If his growth is staying around the same percentile or increasing percentiles, he's growing adequately. He can still be growing adequately if he's at a lower percentile. If his growth is dropping percentiles or is below the 10th percentile, you may need to feed him more but I would ask your pediatrician. Solid foods are usually not recommended until 6 months of age. This ensures that they have the enzymes in their stomach to be able to digest solid foods. If you offer solid foods too early and their digestive system is not ready, it may cause him some stomach upset which would make him cranky. If he's emptying at least 1 breast per feeding, he is getting the fatty hindmilk. Encourage longer feedings by tickling his cheek or rubbing his back or belly to keep him awake. Burp him and change his diaper and then resume feeding. If you continue to breastfeed him, he will grow up to be very healthy and strong. Keep up the good work!
2006-12-05 11:37:27 · answer #2 · answered by Bumbo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You say you have a "gut feeling." Why do you feel like he's not getting enough protein and putting on enough weight? We really need more specific information about what is going on and why you are concerned in order to give you good information and advice.
When you say he's not "putting on weight like he should," exactly what do you mean? What have his weights been since birth? (All weights taken with age?) Was he weighed on the same scale with only a diaper on each time? (Otherwise they aren't too accurate.) I'd need to look at his history and figure out his weight gain per week since birth to see if he falls into the normal range.
What does his doctor say about his growth? Is he gaining weight and getting longer consistently? (At this age, average weight gain is 5.5 - 8.5 ounces per week.) Following a curve on the growth chart?
Being low on the chart isn't necessarily a problem as long as there is consistent growth. Somebody has to be in the 90th percentile and someone else has to be in the 10th percentile.
How does his body type and growth compare to mom and dad's? Bigger isn't necessarily better. :-) Small can be normal and healthy too.
If he seems content after eating, is meeting milestones and gaining weight consistently/growing in length, then there is probably no problem.
Do you feed him on cue or on a schedule? (On cue is better.) How often does he nurse? How long? One or both sides? Do you allow him to decide when to switch sides or do you switch him after a certain amount of time? (Better to allow him to decide when to switch sides.....this way he gets more hindmilk.)
If you really feel that he needs more hindmilk, you can try doing breast compressions while you nurse. This will help him get to the hindmilk quicker. (So it will help him get more of the milk that is higher in fat, which could help with slow weight gain)
Do you sleep with him? This could encourage more night nursing which could help with weight gain as well.
I hope this helps some. If you can respond to some of the questions I posed, I may be able to give you other suggestions or reassurance of what is normal.
ALSO.....
I'd suggest that if you are concerned, you call a La Leche League Leader in your area or the Lactation Consultant at the hospital where you delivered. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE.
http://www.lalecheleague.org
AND.....
DO NOT add solids. Solid foods contain LESS calories and fats than breastmilk. You do not want to replace a complete food such as breastmilk with an inferior food such as rice cereal. He is not ready to digest it at only 3 mos. Plus, introducing solids prior to around 6 months increases his chances of allergies, diabetes and obesity.
2006-12-05 12:16:56 · answer #3 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of moms are afraid their kids aren't getting enough when they're breastfeeding. But most kids are. Just make sure you are feeding him often- whenever he wants. If you want to know how much he is taking at a given feeding then you can get a pounds and ounces scale and weigh him before and after he eats. Don't change his clothes or his diaper before you weigh him.
Make sure you're not switching sides until he's done if you want to get him the hindmilk. None of that switching after 5 minutes or anything- just switch him when he pops off.
Don't try giving him formula after a breastmilk feeding to see if he'll take it- most babies will because it's easy food.
If you need help you can contact La Leche League. They have volunteers who help you for free.
2006-12-05 11:31:18 · answer #4 · answered by AerynneC 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are doing just fine. Let him eat as long as he wants on one breast then offer the second one. Your baby is doing great wihtout any extra foods until he is 6 months old. He is getting the hind milk if he is gaining weight and having 6-8 wet diapers a day and1-2 soiled ones. Keep up the good work and breastfeed as long as you can through 12 months.
2006-12-05 11:48:11 · answer #5 · answered by mktk401 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could start introducing a little rice cereal at 4 months. All a baby needs is breastfeeding or formula at first. I started giving my son a tablespoon of rive cereal before bed at 4 months. He had started sleeping through the night at 2-1/2 weeks old...and started waking up at 4 months old...I started giving him rice cereal and he went back to sleeping through the night.
2006-12-05 11:29:44 · answer #6 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Relax mom... If your eating right and well, so is the baby!
Just eat good and all will be fine. Slim babies are fine too... They will grow up however God made them.
There is baby vitamins you can give them if you so chose. Check with your pediatrician for those basics of questions...
(Liquid vitamins for infants will do well! they don't like the taste much at first.. but will get better)
2006-12-05 11:40:04 · answer #7 · answered by lancelot682005 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should meet with a lactation consultant if you're concerned about his breastfeeding. You can likely get a recommendation from your pediatrician, or check the website below.
2006-12-05 11:37:39 · answer #8 · answered by alighier 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi there, i try to pass this on to new moms...check out oprahs web site the show about knowing what your babies saying...i found the show incrediable..and it works!!!! check it out .anna
2006-12-05 11:35:32 · answer #9 · answered by brezinbye 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋