My 6 month old?

Question

isn't gaining enough. At her 6 month check up yesterday she weighed only 15 lb 6 oz. At birth she weighed 9 lb 5 oz. She nurses 6-7 times a day and sleeps through the night. So that equals to 2-3 hours between feedings.
The doctor told me to start solids and then wait 4-5 hours between feedings. Isn't that going to hurt my supply? I thought frequent nursing made supply go up not postponing feedings. And do solids help with weight gain? I don't know if she's really getting enough liquid because I don't think she has 6-8 soaking wet diapers a day. And when I pump I can only get out AT MOST 2 1/2 oz.
I'd really like to keep breastfeeding but I am willing to BF in the morning and before bed but formula feed during the day if that would help her gain better
Please give any advice. Maybe I'm just too worried and she's growing just fine and isn't a chubby baby. She's very happy and content most of the time.

The doctor wasn't worried quite yet because her length and head grew too. And she did gain weight she just hasn't doubled birth weight.
I'm calling a lactation consultant when they open and I'll probably rent a double pump for a couple days to see if that will build my supply.

Answer 1

First of all... Your baby is doing fine. Is your baby happy, starting to turn on her back, is she a busy baby. I really can't believe your doctor will tell you to start solids at such a young age. I mean it will not harm then but breast milk is all a baby needs at this age. Your baby according to DOctor Green on the web is at normal weight between 14-21 pounds at this age. I have 5 children all weighed different amounts at 6 months. My biggest babys who weight almost 9 lbs at birth only weighed 17 at 6 months. All is ok...Keep doing what you THINK is best. A mothers wisdom of ones owe child is greater then a doctor.... Your doing great.

Answer 2

6-8 soaking wet diapers sounds unrealistic so i wouldn't worry about that. my kids were usually 4-6 per day (all 3 of them). i know they say 6........but my kids just never always that wet. it's not a science, just an estimate. as far as pumping, i could never pump either. just never happened for me.

i also empathisize with you as my second was never chubby.ever. he was growing in lenth but always long and lean. he's going to be three and is still super skinny and tall. he eats like a champ so the doc and i just figure he's meant to be a skinny guy. i always worried about him as an infant and blamed myself....i realize now that he is what he is.

i also was willing to start formula if it would help my kids gain, the thing is..they hated bottles. just stay with the small solid feedings. whenever she is interested in the breast keep her there as long as she wants as breastmilk is so high in fat and calories. possibly introduce a sippy cup when she's alert and happy. just and ounce or so of watered down juice or just water. not that you want her to have any juice.........but if you have to start her on whole milk in a couple of months it will make the transition easier and you wont have to do the bottle thing.

if she seems lethargic or pale..sure take her to the doc. if she's alert, happy and having wet diapers i wouldn't worry.

stay strong and don't worry. not all kids grow the same. you know why breastfeeding is best (and easiest) keep at it girl!!!

Answer 3

Try reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. You'll be amazed at how quickly things change. I exclusively breastfeed and my son has been sleeping through the night since he was 6 weeks old. He's sound asleep by 8:30 or 9 and doesn't wake up for 9 hours to feed, then he sleeps another 3. This book is a total lifesaver and everything in it is so common sense. *edit* there's actually something to what the long-winded poster is saying. My son also falls asleep on his own, never in my arms, and that's one of the changes I made right before he started sleeping through the night. I know it's not a popular solution because we all like to cuddle our babies, but thier sleep cycles are much different than ours and need to be treated differently.

Answer 4

Is the doctor worried about her weight? Some babies are just smaller than others. If you want to keep breast feeding get a pump and use it between feedings and give it to her in a bottle or you can store it in the freezer and use it in her cereal. My son was a preemie and the nurses would mix the pumped milk and formula and a special oil to help him gain weight.

Answer 5

The LAST thing you want to do for a baby that isn't gaining enough is add solids. Almost NO foods have as much calories, fat and nutrients as breast milk per oz. And you definitly do not want to reduce the number or frequency of feedings. 6-7 nursing sessions a day is not very many to start with. Under 6 months generally the minimum recommended number is 8oz.

However though your daughter has dropped from the 97th percentile to the 50th on the WHO breastfed baby growth chart -she is still on the 50th percentile so I don't know if you should really be that concerned. You'd have to assess for yourself how you think she is doing, does she look healthy (skin, hair, etc). Act alert, awake. Clear pee. Reaching milestones, etc.

Babies need MORE formula that breastmilk to gain weight, formula is NOT the answer.

How might I increase baby's weight gain?
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/weight-gain_increase.html
"Stop or decrease solid foods, particularly if baby is younger than 6 months. Most solids foods have fewer calories and nutrients than breastmilk, plus they tend to replace (rather than add to) the higher-calorie, more nutritious breastmilk."

Answer 6

She's six months old and should be starting solids now. But that doesn't mean you can't still nurse her. At this age, food is a few spoonfuls a day. You should still be nursing her at her regular times as well as when she asks for it. Over the next few months, as her solids increase, you'll nurse her less. This is a nice way for her to gradually wean. Good luck!

Answer 7

Hi, yes, you need to start your baby on solids, they do help with the weight gain. Keep BF and also pump so you don't lose your supply.

Answer 8

start the solids but dont' stop breastfeeding. If you can't pump enough milk go in the shower with hot water and pump...It will come flying out! keep pumping though. the more you pump the more you will have.