LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Athan & Nancy Kramer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 7 May 1997 08:08:23 -0700
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (46 lines)
When using the growth figures in the BAB regarding length and head
circumference, how does one apply them to a preemie or a fairly small
full-term infant?  Baby in question is 5 months old.  He weighed 4 lb. 12
oz. at birth (full term) and is now at 8 lb. 8 oz.  The baby's growth has
leveled off from its initial upward curve and the doctor wants her to start
supplementing with formula.  He believes that the baby's development will
be affected if he doesn't get enough calories, and that he's just not BFing
very well after 5 months.

She  reports that his suck feels very different, that it's not strong and
doesn't seem to drain her the
way the others did.  Once again, I haven't seen this baby, but her friend
that asked me about this reports that position is good but he doesn't
appear to be latched on "tightly." She says that the baby looks healthy
although he is so tiny it's eerie, and rather pale.  His mom is petite but
her husband is tall.  He coos and laughs and seems alert.  He's fairly
active.

LLL has advised her to feed more frequently, to try switch nursing (but
also to try nursing one breast only for 2 feeds, because his nursings are
so short, 5 mins. or so), and to keep waking if he falls asleep during
nursing.  He doesn't usually sleep, though, he just turns away from the
breast as though he's lost interest. I don't support the switch nursing
suggestion.

The doctor has her weighing him every day at home.

Mom reports that he is developing normally according to the head
circ/length figures in the BAB, but as you can see his weight gain is not
really sufficient at all. Sounds like FTT to me, but not sure. No other
health problems that I know of in family or infant.

So, am I using the figures right? She plans to try to get in to see an LC
at Mt. Sinai but is reluctant due to the usual money issue...she also has 3
adopted children, so 7 total. She'd rather use the money to rent a good
pump. She has a small battery operated hand pump. We talked about a
supplementation schedule using EBM that would encourage baby to nurse
better, and she is encouraged. Also talked about fenugreek, etc. as supply
is becoming a problem, though mostly due to stress, cup feeding, occasional
formula supplements, lots of things.

Comments welcome. Thanks again, all of you.

Nancy Kramer
Peer Counselor

ATOM RSS1 RSS2