Ellen, these numbers don't indicate a significant change in baby's
rate of weight gain.
From birth to discharge, 27 days, he gained 475 g for an average of
17.6 g/day which translates to 4.3 ounces a week for the
metrically-impaired among us. :-)
From discharge to first weigh-in, 4 days, he gained 85 g for an
average of 21.3 g/day which would be about 5.2 ounces a week.
Then in this last time period, 5 days, he gained another 100 g for an
average of 20 g/day or about 4.9 ounces a week.
Overall, this rate of gain may be on the low side for a preemie, I
don't know. But the numbers are not dropping off appreciably. We
are talking about a difference of a little over *one gram* per day
between the second period and the third. Certainly even a quality
scale can be in error by a few grams and that alone could explain the
differences here.
Margaret
daughter of a math teacher ;-)
mom of two
LLLL
Longmont, CO
>Now for my question!! I have a little guy. Mom's first born 30 wks.
>1.740 at birth, 4.March 02. Discharged 2.215 on March 31st. First
>tube fed, then bottle with EBM. She expressed and even felt she was
>overproducing. 4 April was his first weigh in at the govt. well baby
>clinic 2.300.Baby bfg nicely, but Mom concerned that he wasn't
>getting enough. I asked if she was given instructions by hospital
>for continued bfg and she said, no that she was told to express and
>give 40 ml by bottle every 3 hours. She felt he was bfg fine. I
>suggested she bf and see how it goes. As long as there are plenty of
>wet diapers and poos, and the baby is actively eating and
>swallowing, and calm that that should indicate that he is getting
>enough and of course, keep expressing in case. I suggested she give
>it a week and let me know how he does. She called today that
>yesterday 9 April the baby weighed 2.400 - 100 grams in 5 days. Now,
>it is a great deal less than what he was gaining with expressed EBM,
>and she is worried. I suggested that she come in (this up til now
>was over the phone) and I will help use alternative methods of
>feeding so as not to compromise his bf ability. I am still of the
>school that the other methods are healthier not only because of
>preference, but the actual coordination of suck, swallow and
>breathe. She feels that he gets tired. Will check, but meanwhile,
>what would you all do.? he gained 100 grams, so he certainly is
>getting nourishment. Is it enough?
>
>thanks, and again, thanks for your wishes.
>
>let's hope things get resolved really quick and we can go back to
>worrying only about sore nipples and who is in bed with us!! Ellen
>Shein, LLLL, IBCLC, Tel Aviv
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