lunarcleo
03-17-2009, 07:38 PM
DH and I have been going a bit crazy the last couple weeks trying to make sure DD is eating enough. Let me give a bit of background. She was always right in the middle of the growth chart until 6 mo when she dropped to 25th percentile. At 9 mo she had dropped to 5%. We did an extra weight check around 10 mo and she had maintained at 5%, which we took as a good sign. At 12 mo, she had actually lost an ounce or two from the 10 mo check.
I've been BFing her since birth and the pediatrician suggested that perhaps my supply was the issue. We gave in and offered her bits of formula at the end of feedings and I used an herbal supplement to boost my milk supply. It soon became evident that it wasn't so much my supply not being enough, but that she didn't want to drink what I had.
I work and my husband is a stay at home dad. The last week in particular he has practically been having to force the bottle of pumped milk into her mouth and when I come home he inevitably says that she's only taken 3-8 oz during the whole time I was gone. Even on weekends, the last two Saturdays I've had to pump in the afternoon because I was getting so uncomfortable after she just wasn't doing a good job at nursing.
She has been teething up a storm, and I know this can cause breast strikes, but from what I've read it seems more unusual that she doesn't even want the milk from the bottle. She eats her solid meals very well and experiments with finger foods. We've been offering her extra solids between meals just to make sure she's eating more calories, but I'd rather she take more milk.
A side issue is that during this time her nighttime sleep patterns have been getting progressively worse. She is now getting up at least 3 times a night wanting milk (one night she woke 5 times!). Most of the time it seems to be a fairly quick feeding and then right back into the crib, but sometimes she stays on the breast for 5-10 min. It seems almost as if she has shifted her hunger for milk to the night. Of course this is not great for me or DH - we are both totally exhausted and I don't know how much longer I can keep going.
I've considered using the Ferber method to get her to reduce nighttime feedings, but I also feel a bit guilty given her weight issues.
We have another weight check later this week and I'll discuss some of these issues with the doctor, but I was hoping that maybe some other parents would have some thoughts based on their experiences. Thanks in advance!
I've been BFing her since birth and the pediatrician suggested that perhaps my supply was the issue. We gave in and offered her bits of formula at the end of feedings and I used an herbal supplement to boost my milk supply. It soon became evident that it wasn't so much my supply not being enough, but that she didn't want to drink what I had.
I work and my husband is a stay at home dad. The last week in particular he has practically been having to force the bottle of pumped milk into her mouth and when I come home he inevitably says that she's only taken 3-8 oz during the whole time I was gone. Even on weekends, the last two Saturdays I've had to pump in the afternoon because I was getting so uncomfortable after she just wasn't doing a good job at nursing.
She has been teething up a storm, and I know this can cause breast strikes, but from what I've read it seems more unusual that she doesn't even want the milk from the bottle. She eats her solid meals very well and experiments with finger foods. We've been offering her extra solids between meals just to make sure she's eating more calories, but I'd rather she take more milk.
A side issue is that during this time her nighttime sleep patterns have been getting progressively worse. She is now getting up at least 3 times a night wanting milk (one night she woke 5 times!). Most of the time it seems to be a fairly quick feeding and then right back into the crib, but sometimes she stays on the breast for 5-10 min. It seems almost as if she has shifted her hunger for milk to the night. Of course this is not great for me or DH - we are both totally exhausted and I don't know how much longer I can keep going.
I've considered using the Ferber method to get her to reduce nighttime feedings, but I also feel a bit guilty given her weight issues.
We have another weight check later this week and I'll discuss some of these issues with the doctor, but I was hoping that maybe some other parents would have some thoughts based on their experiences. Thanks in advance!