>OK
>Soooo one of our Public Health Nurses has  been seeing two moms with babies
>under 3 weeks - both lost over 10% of birth weight, both gaining less than
>3 1/2 ounces per week, and their doctor is not concerned, tells them to
>keep on doing what they are doing and not to supplement, that this is
>normal for breastfed babies!

But it might be normal, mightn't it?

Weight gain (unless it is at the extremes) taken in isolation is no
indication of *anything*  - positive or negative - with regard to bf (or
formula feeding, come to that).

This sort of weight gain may be perfectly normal for either, neither, or
both of these babies. We don't know and can't tell unless a raft of other
signs are looked for - and I agree with you, Jeanette,  that listening to
the mother about how feeding is going in all its apects and if mother
permits  observing a feed is an essential part of the picture where there
is any doubt about the effectiveness of feeding.

I'd be looking for the classic signs - baby feeding enthusiastically and
contentedly,  and latching on (and staying on) without a fuss, coming off
with a look of being full, feeding often, day and night, yellow stools,
mother not sore,  mother feeling confident and relaxed...if all that's
happening, I would not be concerned about that level of weight gain in a
baby of this age.  I would expect weight gain to, typically, increase over
the next few weeks.

If some of that isn't happening, then the appropriate help and support
would be given.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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