On Tue, 24 May 2005, Julia R. Barrett wrote:

> Incidentally, my daughter's birth and hospital stay resembled that of
> Beth's daughter: drug-free, no-intervention birth, with me (on me!) the
> entire time, nursing at will. Her birth weight was 8 lbs., discharge
> weight at 7 lbs. 7 oz., and back to birthweight by day 4. She was
> pleasantly plump in the early months and is now a lanky young critter of
> about 24 lbs. at 21 months (and currently scattering every paperclip I
> own).

I think all these anecdotal examples serve to make the point that
breastfed babies grow at the rate the individual baby is supposed to grow,
barring physical or mechanical anomalies.

My exclusively breastfed babies grew at different rates, but there were
both pretty round as babies and toddlers (see
http://www.kjsl.com/~cee/jess20mo.jpg and
http://www.kjsl.com/~cee/trevor1yr.jpg).  Now the one who was the fattest
as a baby is a skinny little rail of a 13 year old, and the other is a
slim and trim 26 year old even after having two babies of her own.  There
were no latch problems, supply issues, letdown troubles, etc.  I wish
everyone I knew could have had as easy a time breastfeeding as I did, in
fact.  :/

As for what happens with many hospital-born babies, the worst weight loss
numbers I've seen have been in babies whose moms were over-hydrated with
IV fluids.  Baby's weight plunged, Mom's milk came in with a fury, Mom
ended up with true clinical engorgement, Baby had latch problems, etc.
It's a vicious cycle, IMO.  I'd really like to see IV fluids used only for
women who aren't able to actually drink and EAT for themselves.

Cee

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