I dont think i should be breastfeeding...opinions please?

Question

ive lost WAY too much weight (my son will be 3 weeks on sunday) im naturally a very skinny person, but i lost a lot of weight way too fast after i had my son...when i try to breastfeed i have to keep on and keep on doing it, and he still isnt happy and cries like ive never heard before....he was born 7lbs, and now is almost three weeks and only weighs 6lbs 6ozs.....but when i try to give him a bottle he eats it fast and then is content.

i think my body just isnt designed for breastfeeding, i dont think he gets real good nutrients from me, which is whats making him lose weight.

so...what to do? should i just formula feed or still give breast milk like once or twice a day?

Answer 1

This happened to me to. Breastfeed then give him a bottle of formula right away. He should not be that light, he needs formula to gain weight. Even if you don't breastfeed, pump your milk and give to him in a bottle. That is what I do and I feel great about giving my baby the best food possible.  

Answer 2

I would take supllements in order to keep my strength up. It is normal for babies to drop in weight straight after birth. Breast milk is best nothing like it. I have two and I breastfed my first son who is two until he was five months, I was very thin and anemic. I also happened to have a closed milk ducts in one breast which is why the baby would suck and suck and not be satisfied. I still continued to breastfeed with the other breast. I had my second son five months ago. It was worse I want to breast feed and I tried for three months he was not thriving as well as he should. I went and on Doctors orders was told to stop breastfeeding and give formula. I had to, but i tried. I would keep on if I were you until you feel something is wrong.

Lalecheleague has wonderful tips and ideas you can take and apply.

Good luck

A mother knows what is best for her baby.

You know

Answer 3

Why not supplement your breast milk with formula?  He gets more than just nutrients from breastfeeding - immunity, parent/child bonding, etc.

Studies show that breast feed children are smarter, have less allergies, etc.

Just don't let your little guy go hungry  :)

Answer 4

formula's the best in my opinion

Answer 5

I had a similar situation with my first, I switched him entirely to formula at 2mths and he was fine since.

Answer 6

It all depends on what kind of nutrients you are putting in your body then again he might just like to eat

Answer 7

It's completely normal. Just make sure you are feeding him on demand...and eating!! Eat healthy meals and keep yourself hydrated. I lost weight during pregnancy and a few weeks after...but now I'm gaining weight and trying to lose it after 14 months...lol. Everyone's body is different. Don't give up, girl, give it a few more weeks!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Just remember that the quality of breast milk depends on mom's health.

Make sure you are eating right/taking supplements and relaxing!  

Answer 9

Have you had your thyroid levels checked.

My mom was underweight the whole time I was a child and it got worse after she had my sister.  Her mother was also underweight.  They both breastfed just fine.

If you want to breastfeed then you need to get assistance -malnourished and underweight women world-wide make plenty of milk.  

Your baby on the other hand doesn't sound like he is getting the milk that is there because of a p**p latch, or not breastfeeding often enough.

http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/media_855...

“There is a common misconception that malnutrition greatly reduces the amount of milk a mother produces. Studies show that the amount of breastmilk produced depends mainly on how often and how effectively the baby sucks on the breast. If a mother temporarily produces less milk than the infant needs, the infant responds by suckling more vigorously, more frequently, or longer at each feeding,” says Mr. Youssouf. “This stimulates greater milk production.”

In such situations where the mother is under-nourished, UNICEF stresses that it is better to address the nutritional status of the mother, rather than ignoring it.

“When the breastfeeding mother is under-nourished, it is safer, easier, and less expensive to give her more food than to expose an infant under six months of age to the risks associated with feeding breastmilk substitutes or other foods,” adds Mr. Youssouf. “Additionally, ensuring mothers are healthy must always be a priority for all families as mothers are tasked with the precious responsibility of primary caregivers”.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mo...

The short answer to this question is NO – you do not need to maintain a perfect diet in order to provide quality milk for your baby. In fact, research tells us that the quality of a mother’s diet has little influence on her milk. Nature is very forgiving – mother’s milk is designed to provide for and protect baby even in times of hardship and famine. A poor diet is more likely to affect the mother than her breastfed baby.

It's common to hear women say that they want to wean (or not breastfeed at all) because they miss drinking coffee, or want to have an occasional glass of wine, or don't like worrying constantly about everything they eat. Guess what? You can drink caffeinated beverages (in moderation), have an occasional drink, eat what you want and still provide your baby with the absolute best nutrition and immunological protection - mother's own milk.

According to Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D., breastfeeding researcher and anthropologist, women throughout the world make ample amounts of quality milk while eating diets composed almost entirely of rice (or millet or sorghum) with a tiny amount of vegetables and occasional meat.

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/cc-baby-B...

Parents who don't know this is "normal" frequently respond as you did by giving a bottle because they think the baby isn't "happy or satisfied" with the breast. When the bottle goes in the baby's mouth the mouth fills with milk, the baby is obligated to swallow and the action of swallowing initiates another suck. The suck again fills the mouth and the cycle repeats, giving an appearance of the baby "gulping the bottle down hungrily".

This of course only contributes to mom and dad's fear that the baby wasn't getting enough at the breast and they keep offering more and more bottles (understandably). Which then causes a true low milk supply. Often the baby falls asleep peacefully after this episode which also reinforces to the parents that the bottle was just what the baby needed. What has really happened is the baby has by coincidence come to the natural conclusion of the fussy spell (most parents give the bottle as a last resort which means the fussiness has been going on for awhile) and/or the baby has withdrawn because "gulping" down the bottle was actually stressful and NOT what the baby wanted but she could not stop the flow, so exhausted, she falls asleep. So don't offer bottles during any fussy time.

http://www.llli.org//llleaderweb/LV/LVDe...

In answer to the question, "Is baby getting enough?" a second question could be posed, "Enough of which?" In the early weeks wet diaper counts give only part of the answer. Because the nursing newborn takes in plenty of foremilk before receiving the richer hindmilk, it would be difficult for an infant to produce several bowel movements per day without being adequately hydrated.

However, the opposite can easily occur. Since feeding practices, ineffective sucking or other problems may diminish the mother's milk supply or prevent the baby from receiving an adequate portion of hindmilk, it is possible for a baby to be adequately hydrated yet have an inadequate calorie intake. Frequent urination remains one valid indicator of adequate newborn hydration from foremilk intake. Multiple daily stooling is an indicator of adequate newborn calorie

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Known Contaminants Found in Infant Formula

http://web.archive.org/web/2007021713011...

Contaminants In Infant Formula

http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images...

Supplementation of the Breastfed Baby

“Just One Bottle Won’t Hurt”---or Will It?

http://www.health-e-learning.com/article...

Did you know...

...That just one bottle can have serious consequences for both the mother and baby?

http://www.breastfeeding.org/bfacts/bott...

Yes! Just 'one' bottle of formula will hurt.

By Ann Calandro, RNC, IBCLC

http://www.got-breastmilk.org/Onebottlew...

The Case for the Virgin Gut

Even the Occasional Bottle of Formula Has Its Risks

http://www.breastfeed.com/articles/issue...

Answer 10

Your son's lack of weight gain is not because of your weight.  You need to see a lactation consultant to help with the problem that is really causing him to not gain weight.

Formula in a bottle may work, but it's not healthiest for you or your son.  It doesn't take much effort to solve most breastfeeding problems, and most women are perfectly capable of breastfeeding their children.

If you WANT to breastfeed, then please see a lactation consultant who can help you.  If you don't want to breastfeed and you really want to bottle feed, go right ahead, but the reason would be that you didn't want to - not because you couldn't.

He takes to the bottle easier because the flow of the milk is faster.  That doesn't mean better.  It's easier to drive your car three blocks to the store, but it's healthier to walk :)  

Answer 11

"i think my body just isnt designed for breastfeeding"

You're a human female, right?

sigh

"Do I need to maintain a perfect diet while breastfeeding?

The short answer to this question is NO – you do not need to maintain a perfect diet in order to provide quality milk for your baby. In fact, research tells us that the quality of a mother’s diet has little influence on her milk. Nature is very forgiving – mother’s milk is designed to provide for and protect baby even in times of hardship and famine. A poor diet is more likely to affect the mother than her breastfed baby.

It's common to hear women say that they want to wean (or not breastfeed at all) because they miss drinking coffee, or want to have an occasional glass of wine, or don't like worrying constantly about everything they eat. Guess what? You can drink caffeinated beverages (in moderation), have an occasional drink, eat what you want and still provide your baby with the absolute best nutrition and immunological protection - mother's own milk.

According to Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D., breastfeeding researcher and anthropologist, women throughout the world make ample amounts of quality milk while eating diets composed almost entirely of rice (or millet or sorghum) with a tiny amount of vegetables and occasional meat."

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mo...

"Is my baby getting enough milk?"

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/04enough_...

"What should I know about infant formula?"

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/i...

Answer 12

A little breastmilk is better than no breastmilk.  I know formulas are so advanced now but they still don't have all the benefits of breastmilk.  If your son is not a successful breastfeeder, then you could just pump and give him the breastmilk by bottle.  At least he is still getting the breastmilk, you will just be missing out on the bonding that comes from the breastfeeding but bottle feeding can be a wonderful bonding experience as well.  You could also talk to your local hospital, a lot of time they offer breastfeeding classes to help mothers struggling with breastfeeding.  My daughter was a lazy breastfeeder and would always go to sleep when she breastfed so hardly ever got the fattening hindmilk so barely gained any weight her first month.  I finally ended up doing both.  I would pump and give her a bottle with half breastmilk and half formula and put her on the breast a few times a day.  But if breastfeeding is causing too much stress for you, formula would probably be a better option because you already have enough going on with having a new baby and all.  You will be the best judge of what to do.  What does your motherly instinct tell you to do?  That will be the best thing to do for you and your baby.  Congrats on the new baby boy!

Answer 13

I heard that breast milk helps the development  of the child and also helps their brain.

Answer 14

Call your doctor about what vitamins and such that you should be taking. Most babies do loose a little weight when they first come home. That is natural. You can however substitute like 2 oz of formula with each breast feeding if he is still hungry. I would try to continue breast feeding because of they many benifits it provides. Keep in mind that you need to eat well and rest.

Answer 15

Its up to you.  I suggest discussing this with your doctor.  Its typical for newborns to lose a little weight the first few days, but they are usually back up to their birth weight rather quickly.  The fact that he's 3 weeks old and 6 ounces LIGHTER than at birth..... that may be a sign that he isn't getting enough to eat.  Just call your doctor and talk to him.  Perhaps supplimenting with formula would be a wonderful option for you until you are both doing a little better.  Just talk to your doctor about your weight and talk to his doctor about his weight.  Both of you being happy and healthy is more important that the typical breastfeeding vs formula feeding discussion that goes on in this forum.

Don't forget to keep taking your prenatal vitamins or at least an everyday woman's vitamin.  It really does help.

Answer 16

All newborns drop weight initially. By evolution, all women's bodies are designed for breastfeeding, it's just a matter of if the mother is comitted enough to do it.

Answer 17

A woman's body IS designed for breastfeeding. But breastfeeding is not easy. There is a misconception that is supposed to come to mother and baby naturally. In more cases than not, it does not come naturally and has to be learned by both mother and baby.

It is normal for your baby to lose some weight after birth. The doctors like to see the baby back up to their birth weight by their 2-week checkup, but if your son is wetting and/or dirtying 6-8 or more diapers every day, he is getting enough nourishment from your breastmilk alone. Also, if you had an epidural, the bags of IV drip they put into you while you have the epi will also give a false higher weight for your baby because the baby will retain some of that fluid too. So it may seem like the baby lost a lot, when really, what they lost were a few ounces from the excess fluid alone that should not be counted toward real weight loss.

Unless you have an overactive letdown, it may take your baby longer to nurse because the milk comes out more slowly from your breast than it does the bottle.

As far as keeping up with breastfeeding or formula feeding, that is a choice that you can make. There are many different formulas for you to choose from if you want to make the switch to formula feeding. If you feel it is in the best interest of you and your child, have no shame in making the switch and people will try to make you feel guilty, but do not let them because only you can determine if that is what is the best option for you and baby. If you would like to pursue breastfeeding further, I recommend meeting with a lactation consultant or attending a meeting of your local Le Leche League chapter.

Answer 18

your body is still trying to make the right amount of milk. its completely normal for a nursing baby to be at your breast constantly in the beginning. If you honestly want to breastfeed, stop giving him formula and your body will make enough, even if you are skinny. but if you want to stop breastfeeding, then stop.

Answer 19

If you are anything like my wife you will decide what is best for your baby and that is what you will do.

However, once having tasted formula milk most bairns are reluctant to return to breast milk.  Rather than alternate, why not express the breast and mix it with the formula.  It will have the right nutrients but it may be too low in fat content.  Babies can do wonderful things with fat.

You could also try eating more fat your self.  In general formula milk is too rich.  Human milk is weak and watery compared to other mammals, and formula milk does tend to upset little stomachs.  When my wife stopped breastfeeding I chose Farley's as it intended to be as close as possible to human milk.  It also has fish oil which is an advantage.

I applaud your willingness to breast feed but you won't be happy unless your baby is gaining weight, and a crying baby is a misery to itself and every one around it, and as I said you will do what you think is best for your baby.

Answer 20

Well I would continue to breastfeed and if you want you can supplement.  I won't worry about your weight.  As long as you are eating enough then your body will not make too much milk for your weight.  I am naturally skinny person as well.  I lost all my baby weight within 4 weeks or so.  The weight just melted off.  I was eating everything in sight and that helped my milk production.

By the way, my milk was very high in fat even though I am a skinny person.  When I pumped I always had a large amount of milk  fat at the top of the bottles.

What does your babies doctor think about your son's weight loss?  If the doctor is not concerned then neither should you.

So keep trying to breastfeed if you can.  It is really best for both of you.  And if you really think that you need to supplement then that is O.K too.

Answer 21

You really need to talk to your doctor and your son's pediatrician.  I breastfed my son for about a week before I realized that I wasn't really producing milk.  He was crying a lot one night and I had tried to nurse him like, 3 times in 1 hour and he still wasn't content.  I had purchased a little manual pump, so I decided to use it to see if I was actually producing anything and I was horrified when I pumped and literally a drop came out.  My son's first appointment with the pediatrician was the next morning and he had lost 14 ounces from when he was born and his appointment was 8 days after his birth.  We were just lucky that he hadn't become dehydrated.  Anyway, when my husband and I realized that he probably wasn't getting a lot from me, we gave him some formula that thank god, we just happened to have and it knocked him out.  He was asleep before I could even burp him, that was how hungry he was.  I tried to continue nursing, but I just didn't produce anything.  My son's pediatrician recommended offering him an ounce or 2 of formula after he nursed just to "top him off", which I did but I eventually had to switch to formula because I had no milk.  

As a side note to "Jeff V":   Yes, women's bodies are designed to breastfeed, but it does not always work.  I was commited as h**l about breastfeeding and I still wasn't able to, and I know quite a few people who had similar experiences, so never assume that a woman is not breastfeeding because she's not commited enough.

Answer 22

All women's bodies are designed for breastfeeding. That is what our b*****s are there for.

The weight drop really isn't a concern, it is normal. All babies drop a little weight naturally in the first few weeks. As for the fussing, that is normal as well and not a sign of problems with supply/breast milk. Your body is still adjusting to supply and demand, your supply is still forming and regulating. Keep at it, it will get easier soon.

Supplementing with formula will only damage your supply, so chuck the formula and nurse on demand. Contact a certified lactation consultant for questions and advice.

Answer 23

I think you will have less worries and more time to enjoy your baby if you give him some formula. Not to mention you will both gain the weight you need.  Do not feel like you  have failed him in any way. Some women just cant do it. I  never made enough to satisfy my babies and I tried it with 2 of them. It was the best decision! I was not as stressed out. He cried less, He wasnt attached to my boob non stop. And hubby could help out more..making formula, and cleaning bottles.

*edit*

your child wont be less intellegent because they were given formula, dont believe the hype. My kids are proof. I have an 8 year old who reads on a high school level ..just had to add that after reading some other answers!

good luck.

Answer 24

Trust me, your body is doing fine! You are designed for breastfeeding and yes, losing weight is VERY normal, even if it seems like too much. It will be so much better for your baby if you breastfeed, formula just doesnt do the trick, it doesnt have natural antibodies, that only comes from humans.