[Mommy to 3 boys]

For the past month or so, Kara has been nursing more frequently. Before she was nursing every 2 to 3 hours during the day and then would do a 5 hour stretch then 4 and 3 hour stretches at night. Now she goes every 2 hours day and night. She MIGHT have a 3 hour stretch in there at night and when I go to the gym I can get her to wait for 3 hours but she usually isn't happy about it. I don't think the doctor realized that she is no longer following on the same path as before so she didn't say anything about her weight (and I had the middle 2 boys with me so I didn't even think about it until later). She was in the 25th percentile and now is in the 15th percentile. Could it be my supply? I know I haven't been eating much lately because I'm not hungry and I should REALLY drink more water. When she started nursing frequently it was because she was sick (or that's what I thought at the time) and now I think she might be teething. She randomly screams and gets fussy but I wonder if it's because she is hungry a lot and not because of teething.

What should I do to try and fix/figure out the problem?

[3Sapphires]

linc dropped off a lot in weight as well and has also been eating a lo (but still going all night without waking)

whem I realized he gained so little I started fenugreek immediately, & upped my water my double, I've noticed just in the last week he has started having more poopy diapers - 2 day instead of one every other day.

I think my supply was just down, I've started jetting that itchy full feeling again as well, so I think I am making more now.

[RunningMommyTo3]

Oh, man!!! At least we're in good company, although Bailey's situation is much different, but she has been really slow to gain after losing a full pound. I believe Bailey and Kara are now the same weight and height, Kim, LOL! Our tiny girls! Babies hit a growth spurt about 4 months, so it could be that. If you feel it could be supply, then try the supplements Ami mentioned, drinking lots more water, and yes, be sure you're meeting your caloric needs, especially since your nursing and working out. I know it's hard. I struggle to get my calories in and have to eat when I'm not hungry to maintain. One thing you can do is to pump and send a bottle with her to the gym. That way, she'll get a little extra while she's there to up her intake.

Is Kara having sufficient wet diapers? Is her poop looking normal for a BF baby? It's common for BF'd babies to not go everyday, some only go once a week, but my dr said the key is if it looks like it should. Seedy and somewhat creamy. If it's super water, too pasty, or mucusy, then it could signify something else going on.

I'm not sure if you've been keeping up with Bailey, but when she lost weight, they ran a ton of BW and labs, and several abnormalities were there. They've repeated them two more times, and the same abnormalities are there. She's being sent to a geneticist because they suspect her to have a metabolic or mitochondrial disorder.

If you are concerned, I would call her pediatrician and have them talk to you about it. They can bring her in a month to check her weight so you don't have to wait until the 6mo visit. If she's continuing to fall off her growth curve, it could warrant some further investigation. It's worth asking if it's concerning you. Most likely, it's nothing, though! Babies go through periods of slower and quicker gain, so as long as she's "around" her curve, there's not a lot of concern about a one time fall in percentiles. However, the major concern was like when Bailey went from being in the 50th percentile at birth, to the 55th percentile at 2 months, all the way down to the 3rd percentile for weight at 3 months. She nearly dropped off the charts. Please keep us updated!!!

[Blessed Mommy Of 5]

It could very well have to do with your supply. Since you aren't eating/drinking enough, I would definitely start there. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids!! Even if it isn't water, fluids are very important while breastfeeding! The Fenugreek worked great for me when my supply seemed low. It is also very inexpensive. I also eat oatmeal daily and the plus to that is not only is it excellent for your supply, but it is also very healthy and fairly low in calories.

I do agree with Katie, if you are concerned certainly do talk with your pediatrician about it!

[curlygirl77]

If she's eating so often, do you think she's maybe snacking and not getting enough hindmilk? Could you try spacing her out during the day so she's hungrier and eats more at each feeding?

[jojo2bee]

Matthew was doing the same thing. He went from eating every 2 ish hours during the day andsleeping 9-12 hours at night to eating every 20 mins during the day and not sleeping more then 4 hours at night. I had notice that when I pumped I was getting way less then what I had been getting. I started fenugreek (mothers milk tea) and drink it 3 times a day. Matthew seems a lot more pleased and now eats every 2-3 hours and is sleeping about 9 hours at night now. and now that I started him on solilds he is doing even better and seems 'fuller' now throughout the day.

I do know that your water intack actually does not affect your milk supply, i thought that was my issue to but nope. I know eating does and I make myself eat if im not hungry. but now that Ive started the fenugreek I feel more hungry during the day... interesting I wonder if its related hummm... Anywho lol thats what I just went through and figured to be my issue.

[2Reasons2Smile]

4 month growth spurt possibly too. Only thing I have to add that others havent already.

[Mommy to 3 boys]

Thank you ladies. I've started eating more and drinking more water... I'm sure I was dehydrated before. I've noticed that she doesn't eat for long... I have a fast let down and so as soon as it slows, she starts pulling away (only a few minutes later). I've been fighting with her the past day or two to keep her latched on but it isn't really working. She has never been a frequent pooper so for her that isn't a good indication. She poops 1-2 times a week. She does have plenty of wet diapers though and her soft spot is not sunken in at all (indication of dehydration). I know all my boys were around the 15th to 25th percentile for weight but I worried still especially with her waking frequently when she didn't before. She had went from the 10th at 2 weeks to the 25th at 1 month and stayed there until her 4 month. She isn't as good of a sleeper at all lately... she fights sleep all throughout the day. I don't know if maybe she went from being sick to teething or what but not one thing really explains this occurring for the past month. I'm waiting to contact her doctor about another weight check because I should be hearing about her urine culture soon and since she may need more testing for that, I want everything done at the same time.

I'm going to weigh her at home... I know it isn't as reliable or accurate but it will give me an idea of what's going on.

Katie- I hope Bailey sees the specialist soon and they can figure out what's going on without a lot more BW. Poor little girl! I've been watching for updates here and on your facebook!

[AmyT]

Kim what you described in this last post was EXACTLY what I went through at the 2 month mark with Abbie. I thought she was just getting full fast, but it was that my milk was drying up Then the weight gain started reflecting that (only 8lb 5oz at 2 months - almost no gain that whole month!) I started supplementing and she started gaining FAST (2lbs a month ) My supply has almost went away, but I'm still pumping like crazy to even get 1/2 oz a day! I figure a little is better than nothing! I have also started fenugreek and upped my water and I'm starting to see a little more increase than before...hoping if I keep up the pumping marathons I'll see a full comeback of my milk supply. Good luck girl...I know how frustrating it can be when you want it and are trying so hard and the milk just isn't there for your baby

And Abbie was waking often (every couple hours) to be fed and her softspot was not sunken in, but it was definately my milk supply that was causing the issues. She had gotten to where she was only pooping once a week, and after supplementing with formula the gas went away, she started pooping once a DAY, and now sleeps up to 10 hours at night!!!