Newborn Gaining Too Much Weight at 2 Wk Exam?

find a new dr :)

just joking

keep doing what you are doing! I have always fed on demand and have 2 big healthy boys.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with the Doc on this one.
She's a newborn and they eat, eat, eat! Gaining a pound in 2 weeks does NOT seem over the top to me for a newborn.
My son was born 10lbs 3oz at 39 weeks and was 20lbs at his 6 mnth check up. I've NEVER had a doctor tell me he's gaining weight too fast because they all start to lose that weight once they start walking anyways.
He's now 2 yrs old and weighs 30lbs. My 6 yr old weighs only 44lbs!
So, every child is different and your baby's weight is just fine.
The extra calories aren't going to hurt her at this age. She needs as much breastmilk as she'll drink so I wouldn't cut back if I were you. If you were bottle feeding then I can understand her wanting you to cutback but a baby will not over eat on breastfeeding, just bottle feeding.
I've also heard that breastfed babies will grow to be slender vs. bottle fed babies because they don't overeat as easily as a bottle fed baby would.
(Hope that all made sense) : )

Good luck and congrats on your new baby girl!

Hi. I am sorry about your concern and worry. One would think that a doctor would be happy about a baby's weight gain, and I have never heard of this either. I have heard that breastmilk is so healthy and nutritious for the baby that they tend to be healthier and chubbier babies, but lose the weight once they become more active and are toddlers.

I had three boys. I breastfed for a short time with formula feedings, as well. My first weighed 6', the second 8' 11 oz, and my last was 8' 15-1/2 oz. Each of them gained weight about the same and FAST. No doctors mentioned anything about it. They were chubby boys by 3 mos. but began to lose it slowly while becoming more active. My last son fed every 1/2 hour and did not sleep through the night until he was about five years old. Very exhausting and what an appetite! My boys are now 18 and older, healthy and handsome young men.

You are doing an awesome job, so keep it up! Hang in there.

There is no such thing as "too much breastmilk". Your body makes the perfect combination of what your baby needs, and there is no need to limit or alter your nursing-on-demand schedule. You are doing everything right. My pediatrician always comments on how breastfed babies grow quickly and gain faster than bottle fed babies at first, but then level out when they reach the 6mos. mark... and all 4 of my kids were exactly that.

I'm now nursing my 4th baby (and still nursing my 3rd who is 2.5)... and my milk was already in when I delivered. This little guy quickly gained after birth (7.7 at birth and 8.5 at two weeks), and my pedi was very happy with his weight. You may want to find a pro-breastfeeding doc!

THATS CRAZY! he/she shouldn't have said that. That is only 6 oz more than babies are supposed to gain. an ounce a day..right? I commend your decision to take a leave of absence to breastfeed..kudos!

i put mine down at 9pm and he tried waking up at 12 for a feeding and i would first try to put a pacifier in his mouth and eventually i eliminated that feeding( and the pacifier). i don't use a pacifier during the day just at night to train to sleep.
good luck!

I agree with the other posters. I don't think the Dr. has it right on this one. At 2 weeks old, your baby should be eating when they want to and if you're nursing, then there is no way they will gain too much weight. Formula fed babies can sometimes gain too much if parents overfeed them, but I have NEVER heard of a breastfed baby having that issue. If you do feel like she is using you for a pacifier and isn't really hungry, then try giving her a paci or swaddling her if she gets fussy instead of feeding her right away. That way, maybe you could spread out her feedings by another 30 minutes or so. If that doesn't work, then just let her eat! From the times you gave, I don't feel like she is eating overly frequently. Sounds normal for a 2 week old to me!

I have never heard such nonsense in my life! A baby gaining too much weight, what: she's going to get fat?? Isn't what you want? A nice, healthy, and yes - fat baby! I nursed my 2 children until they were both over 2 years old. Your baby is gaining weight nicely, if she wants to nurse a lot let her! If she only nurses for a short time then maybe you need to hold her off a little longer so she is truely hungry and eats a little more, thus getting the hind milk. PLEASE call La Leche League for more information. You may even wish to call another doctor's office. I can't believe that a doctor told you this!

I wonder how accurate the scales are or if the nurse really did misread the numbers. Were both weights taken on the same scale? I would be a little concerned about that much weight gain in 2 weeks if those numbers are correct. Is it really 22 ounces in 14 days? The average is 6 ounces a week or 12 ounces in 14 days. I did breastfeed 3 children and with my first I always thought she was getting too much milk and gaining weight too fast, but my pedi always said we were within the normal limits even though she was in the 95+ percent tile. I do not think in normal breastfeed newborns it is possible to overeat, but maybe there is something else that needs to be found. If I were you, I would stop by the pedi's office and check her weight every few days. I wouldn't think they would charge you anything for it. Explain your concerns and I think they will be happy to let you borrow the scale. If she continues to gain quickly then I would try to find out what might be wrong. It doesn't sound like your baby is getting too much milk, but perhaps somehow it's not being digested properly. None of us are Drs and we shouldn't be telling you to ignore your Dr. I really hope everything is ok, but after reading all the other responses, I did want to express my concerns.

Like you don't have enough to get stressed out about the first month (or year) of their lives. I second (or third or how many it is) that this is a bit much. For one, the scale might be innaccurate or inaccurately read.

In my experience, my ped was not a good bfing resource. You'd be amazed by how many are not actually. I'd suggest you get in touch with your local La Leche League for support and advice. It's free, you don't have to be a member and you learn so much. Also, check out this article:

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/weight-toomuc...

I just have to weigh in because I agree so much with the other comments you have received. I too found that my pedi was NOT a good resource for bfeeding advice. Oh well! He's a man. I know, sorry excuse, but I decided to learn on my own. I recommend, as the others have, kellymom.com and La Leche League. There are so many wonderful resources out there for breastfeeding moms.

Keep up the great work and don't let this doctor stress you out. Get a new pedi and keep bfeeding! It's the BEST thing you can do for your child. Congratulations!

S.,

I have to "weigh in" here too. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AT ALL WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING REGARDING FEEDING YOUR CHILD!!! My daughter is now almost 3 and has been over the 100th percentile in height and weight since she was 2 months old. She now eats salmon, brocolli, squash, you name it she is a dream eater. My father in law is a Heart Surgeon and the Chief of Staff of his hospital, actally trained with Denton Cooley back in the day in Houston, and we have gone to him to ask the Head of Pediatrics at his hospital about many things our pediatrician told us that sounded "off" I breast fed my daughter until 15 months, always fed on demand and as she wouldn't ever take formula, or a bottle with breast milk, it was always just me for breakfast lunch dinner, and the 30 snacks in between (of milk of course) There is no such thing as over feeding a baby that you are nursing. It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. My father in law told me that the Head of Pediatrics said when we had an issue with our daughter (unrelated, but my pediatrician took me off all dairy products while I was nursing) that the WORST thing a pediatrician could ever do is stress out the mother. Feed your baby whenever she wants, and please please don't stress for one more second about the weight gain. Nature is wise, people and doctors are human. Children who breastfeed regulate themselves and when they want to just suckle that's fine, even if they are getting milk, and if they want to eat constantly, like I said, nature is wise, not all people are. Please don't put one more thought into this and continue to do what you are doing! And also,I would think about changing docs.

Best of luck to you and your new little miracle. I am sure she will grow to be strong and healthy.

Take care,

S.

S.,
DO NOT WORRY about this! I think your Dr has lost his mind! I have never heard of someone telling a Mom that her newborn has gained "too much weight". Your baby and YOU know what she needs. I think it's a bit premature for someone to suggest that! I would continue like you have been doing! If she was under weight that would be one thing, but I don't think this is a big deal. You are the Mom...You know what she needs! Please don't stress over this!

Hi S.,

I have to agree with everyone else on this one....the fact that he wants you to pump so she just gets the hindmilk? That's crazy!! The hindmilk is the creamiest/most calories....if he's worried about her weight, why would he say that?

Definately call La Leche or see a lactation nurse to ease your mind.

:-) H.

Mom,
you know what your baby needs.
I hate it when docs make stupid comments like that. Come on now?! My son was 6.15 at birth and was almost 8 lbs at the first visit. But, he was early and I fed him when he was hungry. And guess what... he's 45 inches tall, 60+ lbs and only 4 years 3 months old. He's the size of a 7 year old because that is NORMAL for him.
I guess my bottom line is Docs are a guide. They are sometimes right and sometimes partially right and sometimes flat out wrong.
You aren't doing anything wrong.
You are no doubt a great mama.
Keep up the good work and don't let your pedi make you feel badly.
My first pedi patted me on the head (YES HE DID) and said "mom, babies aren't allergic to medicines" when I asked, at four weeks, what I should "look for" if he reacted to the antibiotics prescribed. We left the office and switched pedis.

There is SO much wrong here, I don't know where to begin. Your baby is fine. You're nursing her fine.

Now, to what's actually wrong here. There's no such thing as 'too much milk'. Every baby nurses different so the fact that she's nursing more frequently than your first means nothing - and she should be nursing often! She was just born! And just over a pound in two weeks is normal growth. She should be gaining 2-2.5 ounces a day, so that would be at least a pound in 8 days or 28 ounces in two weeks. I have no idea why your pediatrician is telling you she's gaining too quickly. Also, hindmilk has more fat and is higher in calories, so having more of it would cause her to gain more weight, not less.

Switch pediatricians. Now. Your baby is right on target for weight gain and your pediatrician does not know what they are talking about.

If you're near Harris Methodist SW in Fort Worth, I'd be happy to recommend an awesome pediatrican. I can also give you several good websites to reference.

My baby is also strictly breastfed and is huge (she weighed 10 lbs at birth and at 2 wk exam was 11.5). She is healthy and my pedi was not concerned (said I just make haagen das milk).She is now 15 months old but weighs 25 lbs and is very tall and still breast feeds.I think Pediatricians are used to seeing skinny breastfed babies and freak out when they see one who is actually big. I would keep on doing what you are doing.

I am happily a mother of two grown children now, however when my son was born, he also was hungry all of the time. I found out that I, as a mother knew more about my child than the doctor. I therefore, fed him when he was hungry. The doctor asked me what kind of schedule he was on. I replied that he was on HIS own schedule. When he was hungry, he ate, when he was tired he slept.

The only time I attempted to change this was when it interrupted the natural things of the day. Children at that young age grow and they grow fast. When they are hungry they will eat and you may think that they are eating too much, however, I disagree. When they are not hungy, they will stop eating. You may think they are starving, they, most of the time are just not growing as fast and don't need so much "fuel". My suggestion, is to let the little one eat until she is satisfied. My son had an extremely hardy appetite from the moment he was born. It did change, however, as he grew. He was naturally a bigger child, and is now 6' 3". Your little girl may need a little more than the breast milk to satisfy her hunger. Trust your instincts. You are the MOM!

I have never heard of a baby gaining to much weight. My son was 7 pounds at birth and gained at least 12 oz. by his 2 week check up. My milk came in faster this time around and my son never nursed more that 8-10 minutes total. By the time he was 9 months old he weighed only 2 pounds less than my 2 year old. So I would not worry at all about this she is heathly and happy that is all that matters. Plus I cannot imagine what you can do to stop her from gaining weight. What does he want you to do stop feeding her? This does make any sense I would consider changing doctors.

S.,

IMHO the nurse is off base. I nursed all 3 of our girls, plus I was a lay midwife for a short time. Nursing every 1.5-2 hours is not a problem. Your little one will even herself out in a couple of weeks or so. As long as she is getting just breastmilk and no other suppliments she should be fine. If she starts vomiting, watch her *very* closely and call her Ped. Spitting up usually just means that she is either completely full or has air in her tummy(not as big a problem as it is with bottle babies...) If she stops actively nursing(just lies there as suckles and sleeps) and you are still with milk, lay her down and express yourself until you feel comfortable. She'll be fine.

I know how difficult it can be to express prior to nursing when you wait until she lets you know that she is ready. If she starts going a lttle longer between feedings, try to express when she first starts to stir. That way you'll both be ready at pretty much the same time. If there is a real concern about "butterfat" and the baby, the Ped is absolutely correct in his advise about the hindmilk.

Letting her suckle while she sleeps *can* lead to overfeeding just like putting a bottle in her mouth and putting her to sleep with it. If she needs the comfort, give her a paci.

The La Leche League(LLL) is a *wonderful* organization! They can, and are more than happy to give you all kinds of assistance.

Congratulations on your thriving little one!

cj