Breastfeeding - Did anyone's baby not gain weight the first week?

I've been exclusively breastfeeding my daughter (i did give her 2 ounces one night of formula because she was fiercously hungry and would not go to sleep) - but was so disappointed when we went to the doctor today and she hasn't gained any weight since the discharge from the hosiptal. She is a week old.

She was born 7 lb 9 oz and she lost 9 oz in the hosiptal.

The doctor wants me to start pumping to see what my supply is - she wants to see the baby on Friday to assure that she has gained at least a few ounces.

Im so sad - is this normal for breastfeed babies.

Lorena is content during the day when i breastfeed - and im planning to give her my pumped milk in the evening because she seems to want more at night - but im so bummed about this.

Can anyone share their experience.
BTW - I just pumped 3 oz and 2 oz from the other breast so i know i do have some milk in there.

Re: Breastfeeding - Did anyone's baby not gain weight the first week?

mine lost weight but totally made up for it

Re: Breastfeeding - Did anyone's baby not gain weight the first week?

Hope you don't mind my input..I didn't BF BUT wanted to say that i believe its normal for all babies...FF or BF to lose weight their first week...up to 10% is normal. My son lost 6 ounces, only to make up for it the following week.

Sounds like you pumped a great amount for 1 week pp!! I'm sure your DD will rebound in no time :)

Re: Breastfeeding - Did anyone's baby not gain weight the first week?

Have you been keeping a log of wet and poopy diapers? The LC at my hospital gave us printouts to keep track. Wet diapers are a good indication of whether your LO is eating enough.

Here is a link from KellyMom.com that relates to early BFing. See if you computer will upload the "Breastfeeding Logs" and then there are also some other helpful articles that you may want to read.

I BF and pump, and I also want to say that pumping 5 oz at one time is excellent. It doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with the amount of milk that your body is producing. (The average woman actually pumps about 3oz- from both breasts.) And you should also remember that the pump is never as efficient at abstracting milk from your breast as the baby is. So even if you aren't getting much, that doesn't mean that the baby isn't getting enough to eat.

If you continue to experience trouble, I would suggest seeing an LC to work through it. BFing is not always easy in the beginning and many of us have had to see one to work through one thing or another.

I have a feeling that when you see your Dr, your baby will have gained weight. Please don't let yourself get too stressed out.