Becky: Sometimes babies in oligohydraminos cases are born very bloated and
appear to be losing huge amounts of wt (really excess water accumulated
because their kidneys weren't putting out adequately).  However, these
babies will usually show some symptom after birth, such as brick dust urine,
that will give you a clue to kidney probs.

Next, to get high wt loss babies to gain, I always teach moms and all others
present to do infant massage at least twice per day.  It has several
purposes:  gets people touching baby, which increases weight gain (can't
find the references here, but they do exist); and it gives them an active
role so that they feel like they can "do something."  Obviously, anything to
increase skin-to-skin contact, night nursing, cluster feedings, baby
wearing, etc.  is also suggested.  If baby isn't truly dehydrated, then mom
might pump foremilk and then nurse for hindmilk to increase caloric intake
with less effort on baby's part.  Personally, I don't like this last option,
but it has worked.
Warmly,
Chris
-- Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]

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