Should I give formula?

Question

My baby is 7 weeks today and we went for a check up yesterday. He is 25th percentile in height, 10th percentile in weight and 5th percentile in head circumferance. I am worried that he has not gained much. I am giving him only expressed breast milk whenever he is hungry. Should I start supplementing with formula? Also I will be starting work next week and plan to continue pumping milk for my baby. Please provide your valuable advice.

Baby was 6 lbs 8 oz at birth and 20 inches in height
At 7 weeks, he is 9lbs 5 oz and 22.5 inches height.

All the other babies I know take breastmilk and formula and are growing fast.

Answer 1

If the doctor didn't voice any concern then your baby is probably fine. Does he seem satisfied for a while when you feed him? Is he dehydrated? I'm sure he's fine.

Answer 2

We have to know his LOWEST ever weight to accurately calcute his weight gain. (Most babies lose some weight the first week and regain it.) It's helpful to know birthweight, lowest weight and age taken, all other weights and ages taken AND if they were all taken on the same scale and in the same state of dress. (Baby should always be weighed in nothing but a clean diaper.)

Baby was 6 lbs 8 oz at birth and 20 inches in height
At 7 weeks, he is 9lbs 5 oz and 22.5 inches height.

So he has gained 2 lbs 13 oz above birthweight in 7 weeks. That's 45 ounces in 7 weeks, or an average of 6.4 ounces per week. (ETA: so he has probably even gained a bit more than that on average since we don't have the LOWEST EVER weight to figure out average weight gain from.) The average expected weight gain at this age is 5.5 - 8.5 ounces per week, so he is TOTALLY within the range of what is normal. HE IS FINE!

Are you and dad small people? We don't expect to see a linebacker come out of a mom who is built like a gazelle. :-) His body type should reflect your body types. SOMEONE has to be in the 25% and the 10%.....that's how it works. Not everyone can be off the top of the charts.

I see no reason to give formula. (Anyway, formula has less fat and calories than breastmilk!)

You can't compare the growth of a breastfed baby to the growth of a formula fed baby as they follow different patterns.

Answer 3

If you are nursing, you can do some of these things to increase your milk supply and increase the frequency of feedings. If expressing and feeding in bottles, you can still express more often (you should be pumping every 2 hours from the time you start to the time you start again). If you are only pumping, you are not stimulating the breast like baby would be, so you need to pump more often than baby would normally eat, and a nursing baby would normally eat about every 2 hours. It's going to be a matter of how motivated you are to feed him only breast milk.

You can get Mother's Milk Tea from a health food store or vitamin store. Here's a link that explains the benefits of Mother's Milk Tea, and you can purchase it on-line too. http://www.tealand.com/mothersmilk.asp..... My midwife gave me Mother's Milk Tea at my birth. It is very pleasant.

Increase your water intake. If you don't like water, you can dilute juice 50% with water. Whatever it takes to increase your liquids. Eat a healthy diet - low in sugar. Peanuts and Raisins and Almonds are an easy, healthy snack.

LOTS of rest. Slow down - cut back on activities. Buy gifts for people on line, or better yet, give people cash for Christmas. Guard your activity level during the holiday season.

Put baby to the breast whenever he fusses. Really. You can't feed him too much. If he takes too much milk, he will spit it up, but right now, I would risk a little spit up, and just nurse, nurse, nurse. Put baby in bed with you (there are some good co-sleeping articles out there) and you and baby sleep together. When baby awakes, just latch him on, and both of you fall back to sleep. Rest makes a huge difference in milk supply, as does the amount of time baby suckles.

Do some deep breathing to help relieve stress. Stress can also affect the milk supply. Slow down, relieve whatever stress you can, hold and love your baby, and if you do all of the things suggested here (or even some of them), your milk supply should increase within 24 hours.

Again, just pop baby on the breast whenever he starts to fuss, and enjoy your little one.

Answer 4

Wow-your baby has almost the same stats that my 4 year old daughter had. She was 6lbs, 7oz. Anyways, you do what you feel is right. Although breast fed babies sometimes gain weight a little slower than formula babies-think of all the problems that come along with formula: gas, colic, and stinky stools. Most importantly breast feeding is more beneficial in so many ways....You went this long, keep going, girl! You'll be happy you did!

Answer 5

I've always heard that an ounce a day weight gain is what doctors like to see in a new baby. I calculate that your baby has gained 45 ounces in 49 days--close enough. You may need to brush up a little on what growth charts and percentiles mean. This webpage may help.

Answer 6

only if your pediatricain says hes growing to slow. ask him at next visit. since you are going back to work, buy some formula to have just in case whoever is watching your baby runs out of breastmilk before you get home. even if you think you pump enough it wouldnt hurt to have it incase you are late, stay over, stuck in traffic etc. my pediatrician has no problem with my babys weight. shes 2 1/2 months and 9 lbs 10 oz

Answer 7

I actually was in the same position... my doctor was not concerned with my sons weight, but I felt pressured by my family and husband.. and started giving my son formula. I regret it very much... I also was going back to work, so it was easier to use formula.. but I feel like I should have stuck it out. Breastmilk is way better for your baby... and Formula is also very expensive.. so we had to deal with the extra expense of buying formula, which is really a drag.
Its really up to you.. and your situation.. because sometimes its really hard to be able to pump when you need to depending on your job, and every baby is different.. but I would discuss it with your doctor first, and get his opinion on the babies weight. If he isnt concerned.. chances are, babies just fine!

Answer 8

Congrats on your new baby! If your pediatrician said to supplement with formula, then do. If not, then your baby's growth may be normal for him. But, if you're still unsure, then breastfeed and supplement. Both of my boys had formula and they primarily stayed in the 50-95 percentile... As for pumping at work, for those who I know who have done it, they've all said it was kind of a pain - especially those who's employer didn't offer a proper place to do it. It all depends on your job and the environment. I say do your best and pump, but if you can't, don't feel guilty about it.

Answer 9

You don't need to supliment unless you think your babie's still hungry. Gaining about 2 pounds in 2 months isn't bad. Some babies take a little bit longer to (fatten up). Try and feed him breastmilk a little bit more than usual and make sure he drinks his fill. If you doctor was concerned he would have told you that you needed to plump him up a bit. I wouldn't be worried as long as he's satisfied he should grow just fine.

Answer 10

formula vs. breast is a big debate.....mostly fought by advocates of the breast is best. The truth is that it is best if you eat a perfect diet and can produce enough milk. Formula is not the evil monster it's made out to be though. I have food allergies and eat a very restricted diet. Therefore I decided to formula feed my baby. He is 6 months old, in the 95% for height and weight, has never had a cold, is ALWAYS early in his development, has bonded very well with my husband and I, and is perfectly healthy. My pedi always comments on how great he is doing. So, do what works best for you. If breast feeding isn't working for you or your baby, give formula a try.

Answer 11

my baby gains 2 ounces a day.

he's on formula. he weighed 5'7'' when he was born, he's 6'5'' now.

he's 3 weeks old, my due date is tomorrow. the nurse said he's gaining so much weight because if i was still pregnant, this is how much he would weigh if i had him. he is just catching up to what he should be.

she also told me that i should feed my son whenever he is hungry, but keep him on a schedule at night. we all heard those horror stories about babies getting fat, but she said that since they use more energy by being awake, they have to supplement it somehow. i have no idea what this has to do with breastfeeding, but what i am trying to say is that maybe your breastmilk doesn't have enough calories, so he's not getting enough to both give him energy AND make him bigger. adding formula would be a good idea.