>
> It has been the first time I have written in months. I have a nine month
> old baby that has lost 6 ounces in the past two months, from 18-8 to 18-2.
> The baby has grown one inch and is now 27 inches long. Mom is nursing
> through out the day every four hours. Baby sleeps at night. The mother is
> giving the baby 5 ounces of water a day mixed with juice. She was not
giving
> any water until her mother stated the baby needs to have water. I observed
> the baby at the breast. Baby latches and suckles well, but is a little
busy
> moving frequenty at the breast.
> I suggested that the mother stop giving water and breastfeed every two
hours
> throughout the day. She breastfeeds the baby than an hour later gives the
> baby solid food. Any other suggestions I can give her?.
> Please answer on list or email me at [log in to unmask]
> Thanks to all for your time.

You mention that the baby is getting some solid foods as well as water and
juice - do you have a sesne of how much solid foods? When did he start solid
foods? What was his weight gain pattern before this, and has he been ill
(diarrhea or other problems) with something that might have contributed to
the weight loss?

It sounds as though this baby may only be nursing 3 or 4 times in 24 hours,
and the mother's milk supply may be low as a result. You might want to
encourage her to try very frequent nursings for a while, including during
the night if she is willing (and if baby is willing). Has she been
scheduling feedings - the "every four hours" makes it sound that way? Was
the baby "sleep-trained" (ie. left to cry itself to sleep) in order to get
it sleeping all night? I have seen other babies who went through this "sleep
training" who then sleep all night - but also either gain weight very slowly
or lose weight. It seems that for some, those night time feedings are
essential. I'm not sure whether it is that the baby can only take so much
milk at one feeding, and just can't get enough without the night feedings,
or whether the mother needs to feed at night because she is limited in how
much milk she produces per feeding, or if she needs the extra stimulation of
night feedings - but anyway, it is sometimes a problem.

Teresa Pitman
Guelph, Ontario

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