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Weight Gain...Anxiety

Last Monday, Daddy and Mommy brought Keziah to the PD as her cough caused her to throw up the past few nights. Mommy thought she might just get some advice from him regarding Abel's weight gain which seemed rather low at 700g gain after 5.5wks of birth. Abel was born 3.19kg, discharged at 2.98kg and at 6 wks weighed 3.775kg only. Mommy fed Abel fully by direct latching on the breast and on demand as often as he required. However, somehow he just doesn't seem to put on. He could have been sleeping on Mommy's breasts and a lazy suckler. Mommy consulted the lactation consultant and started the whole regime of pumping milk even after latching for 15min so as to stimulate an increase in production. She is also now taking fenugreek and more soups which hopefully will increase the supply. Essentially, whatever that can be done, she will try. Now today Mommy took Abel back for review and he has gained 200g in a week. This is a good gain but he still has loads to catch up. Looks like Mommy's not going to have an easy time as she has to continue pumping for at least another month as that's when the breast will establish it's maximum capacity. Mommy has been adviced to top up with expressed breastmilk after day feeds. Somehow there are days when supply seems ok but there are days which it seems rather empty. It's really a struggle whether to supplement the feed or even just totally express out and bottle feed since that way, you will know definitely how much the little one is getting. Mommy certainly need to learn to take more rest and worry less. Mommy is just puzzled how Abel could eat so little and yet seem contented and sleep relatively well, feeding 2-3hly. Isn't a hungry baby an 'angry' unsettled baby? Now it's just carrying on with all the advice given and see how things work out while we pray and trust that Abel will gain and grow well.

3 comments:

Mummy N said...

tag!

iemuhs said...

Hey Joan,

Want to ask you... you had a confinement nanny right? Is she good? Am looking for one, cos I don't think my maid will be able to help me and look after RX at the same time when no. 2 is out...

iemuhs said...
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