I received a lot of support while working with the 6-week-old baby who was
sooo healthy but wasn't gaining weight.  I passed much of the information on
to the mother (without names and e-mail addresses).  I also shared it with
the FP, who thought all along that the baby was doing fine.  He appreciated
the perspective and experience of those of you who posted.  Thanks!

[The Ped she saw for screening for serious problems wanted her to give
solids and abm and to "force feed" her for a while.  Mom refused the abm
idea and when she tried solid foods the baby cried afterwards with what
seemed like stomach discomfort. Mom immediately discontinued.]

Baby is now gaining slowly, but steadily.  She is still a healthy, happy
little one.  The one change that seems to have helped was a change in mom's
diet.  Ruth Lawerence (4th edition p. 283-) mentions that cholesterol in
mom's diet could change the fatty acid composition of the milk to facilitate
weight gain in the infant. Mom called her aunt, who is on a choles.
restricted diet and asked what were the things she couldn't eat.  She began
adding them to her diet. (Auntie said, "No Fair!" )

Earlier, she had added more oils to her diet and had noticed more fat on the
top of her pumped milk, but when she began focusing on the cholesterol
foods, baby began gaining weight. So has mom, but she says she will just get
a few new clothes for this period.  She has always been quite thin.

Our US obsession with Low Fat, No Cholesterol everything may be presenting a
problem for other mothers, as well. We don't have a clue as to what a
healthy diet looks like, do we?

This family is relaxed now and enjoying their healthy baby.  I am grateful
for this forum where varied experiences and ideas are so plentiful.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee

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