Donna, has mom done an allergy elimination diet?  You could be writing a
description of my daughter, who barely re-achieved birthweight at 2 weeks
and then gained 1-2 oz. a week for the next few weeks.  One week of dairy
and citrus elimination and she was a different person.  Her behavior was
markedly better AND she gained substantial weight, whew!   I know this is
anecdotal but I also did find references for it once I started looking.  And
you'll probably get other Lactnetters to chime in with their own
observations of similar situations.

Some babies with severe allergy problems causing fussiness will gain anyway
but others will not.  One explanation is that their allergies may be causing
them discomfort, e.g. an 'itchy palate' that they then try to scratch with
their tongues while nursing!  I can tell you that my daughter nursed much
better, I had lots more milk, and everybody was a lot happier once we
figured out the problem

IMHO it means absolutely nothing that the baby will eagerly guzzle a bottle
or take a pacifier.  Considering the nursing behavior, mom's milk supply
probably is down somewhat and so it just stands to reason that baby will be
eager with a rapid supply of food.

This 9lb 8oz baby is now 13-1/2 and being confirmed tonight.

Mary Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL
Vienna, Virginia  USA

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