Overview
Breast milk rocks. It’s natural, healthy, and barring no startup issues, it’s always in the right proportion for baby growth. There can be annoying, painful, messy and even health-threatening issues in the first several weeks, but once established, the mother provides enough for baby weight gain. According to Dr. Amal Khidir, there’s no manufactured match for a mother’s immunity boosting and easily digestible breast milk. Concerns regarding baby’s weight gain and mother’s breast health should be promptly addressed by the medical team—pediatrician, nursing staff and the lactation consultant.
Initiation
In the first two weeks, mother and baby are just getting settled into a feeding routine, and it is natural for infants to loose weight in the first several days of life. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a baby can loose up to 7 percent of his birth weight without concern. Loss of more weight indicates a feeding problem that the medical team should immediately address.
Considerations
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. This means no baby foods or even water. WHO suggests moms start breastfeeding their newborns within the first hour of life and avoid using bottles or pacifiers to build a solid breastfeeding foundation. Research published in “Pediatrics” supports the WHO guidelines, stating that breastfeeding increases weight and length in the first months of life and does not cause any weight shortcoming at 12 months old.
Misconceptions
Both moms and doctors look to weight gain as an indicator of healthy breastfeeding habits. But what if weight gain is poor? It’s likely a nursing problem, but not always. Some infants grow at a slower rate, being dubbed “slow gainers,” according to the University of Virginia Health System website. Several questions help determine if baby is a slow gainer or if there is an underlying problem. Does the infant wet and soil diapers as often as a larger baby? Is the length and head circumference normal? Does baby wake up at night needing to be fed? Does baby’s weight gain maintain a growth curve, albeit low? If the answers are yes, then it is likely the child is a slow gainer.
Expert Insight
Lactation consultants are the fairy godmothers of breastfeeding. When there is concern about infant weight gain in a breastfeeding baby, the certified lactation consultant can often troubleshoot and solve problems with a one-on-one appointment. Often medical insurance will cover the costs.
Warning
Newborns should soil diapers six to eight times per day. Keep a chart for accuracy, as remembering anything during those sleepless nights is nearly impossible. If the number of wet diapers drops off, the baby might not be feeding correctly. Call the doctor, nurse or lactation consultant as soon as possible. Additionally, if the mother’s breasts and nipples are showing sign of skin breakdown or infection, seek medical attention immediately.
About this Author
Shelly Wyrick specialized in orthopedics and oncology before pursuing a freelance writing career. She is a regular contributor to Youth Runner Magazine, and her therapy research has been published in several medical journals. Wyrick holds a master’s degree in physical therapy from Marquette University.
