suplimenting/weight issue

[Lindsie]

My son was born 9-16 weighing 8 lbs 14 oz. Since then his weight has been up and down and is currently 8 lbs 1 oz. My ped has instructed me to suppliment with formula and even though I pump I feel as if my milk is going down. My son will sleep through the night which I know isn't the best but he is very hard to wake up. What should I do? Is his weight really that low?

[debbie_page]

Hello and thanks for your great question. Breastfeeding babies will gain robustly at first, usually an ounce a day starting on day 5 and be back to birth weight no longer than 10 days. So yes he is definitely below. I would typically start right away supplementing with pumped milk, donor milk or formula if the first two aren't available. As he gets more calories in he will have enough energy to wake up more frequently and feed enough to gain well. All the while you can work very aggressively to increase your milk production.