I have run across the 1 oz. per day weight gain requirement, and I think
that it is too restrictive. My daughter nursed well from birth, started to
gain right away, but only gained 4 to 5 ounces a week. But she has a been a
very active, petite person her whole life, and I think the weight gain was
right for her, not a sign of inadequate milk. I've always seen this as an
advantage of breastfeeding - the baby gains at the appropriate rate for him
or her (I also had babies who gained a pound and a half in a week!).

I have seen a number of mothers whose babies were gaining at this rate who
have been told that they need to supplement with formula. The babies are
happy, active, look fine (not thin), having plenty of wet diapers and bowel
movements. The mothers are concerned that something is wrong, and the babies
are often not doing well with the formula supplements (constipation, more
fussiness, etc.). To me, these babies are fine - just at the low end of
normal weight gain.

Teresa Pitman
Guelph, Ontario

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