in December 2024 Babies 🇬🇧

Not gaining weight

First time mom here. My little boy is exclusively breastfed and is not gaining weight. Aside from that he’s got eczema. Nurses and health visitors are very concerned about both and we’ve been to children’s clinic, GP, HV clinic and been hospitalized for infected eczema. I don’t want to give up breastfeeding and I get so emotional about it. We’ve had a hard time with it the first couple of days and it is still hard specially when he wants the boob all the time but I won’t change it for the world. I love doing it for him and now that he learned to look at me and smile when we lock eyes or when I say “hi” while he latches, it’s the best thing and it makes my day. I guess I need to accept that I might need to add a bottle, I just need to really want to do it. Aside from his weight and eczema I know in my heart that he is healthy…what do you guys think?

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That sounds really tough, I’m sorry you are going through that. I can’t tell you what you should do in your situation as every baby and mother is different, but I wonder if it possible for you to get a pump? My LO was hospitalised very early on for jaundice and losing too much weight. I continued to offer the breast at every feed, but topped up with formula until his weight gain was back on track. At the same time I bought a pump and pumped after every feed to increase milk supply and within a few weeks I was able to reduce the formula top ups and EBF again

Im so sorry you're in this position. I wasn't able to breastfeed but we still get that watching each other and cute smiles while he's feeding from the bottle and he loves holding onto my fingers when he's feeding plus burpy cuddles afterwards so it is possible to have those moments with bottle feeding it might be slightly different but they're still there and it also makes my day as well

I would definitely get a pump but still offer the breast inbetween. Have any of the professionals said why this might be? Have they referred you to the infant feeding team? Could be worth getting a IBCLC involved (it does cost). @lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc and olivia_lactation_consultant is worth a follow on insta and would probs be able to recommend an ibclc in your area.

Just to offer a different perspective- I felt very similar to you, when my first wasn’t gaining weight and was EBF. He ended up needing high calorie formula for a few months and I lost my supply so continued with aptimel formula till weaning. I was so gutted and worried about loosing the bond from breastfeeding, but honestly once I was watching him thrive and gain weight through formula it didn’t cross my mind again. I’m breastfeeding exclusively my 4 month old at the moment and don’t feel anymore or less of a bond than I did with my first! Both options are great and all that matters is that you and baby are healthy and happy, not the route to get there!

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