HELP/ADVICE!!! Is my boy losing too much weight??

Question

My newborn (born 10/15/19) arrived at 7 lbs 10 oz. It was an emergency csection, but otherwise everything went fine and he was perfectly healthy. 
By the time we left the hospital, he weighed 7 lbs 1 oz (came to find out he was just not latching correctly and wasn’t getting enough milk). I have been feeding him breastmilk exclusively, switching between the bottle and breast. With the bottle, he’s eating 50 ml per meal (every 2-3 hours).
We just got back from he pediatrician this afternoon and he weighs 6 lbs 14 oz! The pediatrician didn’t seem concerned at all, but I can’t find anywhere online that newborns will lose additional weight after they leave the hospital. 
He’s 2 weeks today and I’m incredibly concerned, but again, the pediatrician didn’t seem worried and said that as long as he’s eating well and urinating often (right now he’s going about 8 times a day), that we shouldn’t worry. 
I know newborns that are fed milk tend to gain their weight slowly compared to formula fed babies, but it’s the additional weight loss that I’m SUPER concerned about. 
I need to know, have any of you experienced this? 
Should I seek a second opinion? 
Am I doing something wrong?

Answer

My little was 7lb2oz at birth, we left the hospital at 6lb6oz and weighed it at 6lb4oz at his first appt. Doctor wasn’t worried at all and he started gaining weight with no issues. Every appointment he had appropriate weight gain and all was good. If your doctor isn’t worried, you shouldn’t worry either!!

Answer

My babygirl was born at 7lb 3oz and when we left the hospital she was 6lb 10oz. At her first appointment when she was a week old she was still 6lb 10oz (we also had a latching problem). I visited the breastfeeding clinic and had to get a nipple shield. By the time babygirl was 2 weeks old we were back up to 7lb 2oz. 
If your doctor isn’t concerned then you shouldn’t be, but do try to get your LO back up to birth weight by the next appointment. 
When my babygirl was 2-3 weeks old I started pumping and giving her bottles so we were certain she was eating enough. Now at 2 months old we are 9lb 12oz!

Answer

I would try to offer him a bit more milk. He should be getting 1-1.5 oz per hour on average. My Lo ate about 2oz every 2-3 hours at that point. If you’re bottle feeding make sure to pace feed and use a slow flow nipple

Answer

I would never claim enough expertise to give you medical advice, but I went through something similar and can share my experience. My daughter was born 8 lbs and when she left the hospital was 7 lbs 4 oz. At her first pediatrician visit she weight 7 lb. Unlike your experience, the pediatrician was very concerned.  They had me taking her in for weight checks 3x per week. For the whole first month she didn’t gain anything at all, which was terrifying. I was breastfeeding and expressing milk after each feed so that I could give her a supplemental bottle (it was a latching issue, like you mentioned). We went to a lactation consultant and an ENT to check for lip/tongue tie (which she did not have). The pediatrician kept saying that most breastfeeding issues work themselves out by the end of the first month, and if that isn’t the case for us and she is still not gaining weight then we will talk about other strategies. She ate every hour during the day and every two hours at night for that first month. It was exhausting, so if you’re feeling drained I completely understand. Finally at her one month visit she gained 1 lb. Just like that! I can’t tell you what changed - it seems nothing did. She just got older, better at breastfeeding, and stronger...and suddenly was doing just fine with weight. She’s been great ever since - no weight concerns.

Answer

They lose up to 7% of their birth weight before a month old....... As long as they aren't lethargic and have a good amount of wet and dirty diapers a day bub should be fine..

Answer

My nephew was similar, he did start gaining but very slowly. Turns out my sister wasn't producing enough for him and he was slowly starving. It got better once he started bottles of milk but he didn't start to catch up until she added formula. The milk that she did produce just wasn't as nutrient-dense as he needed because of the rough start. He's caught up perfectly now and had his first birthday a couple months ago 😊

Answer

I’m not trying to worry you but I think this is concerning. I would be freaking out in ur situation. Prob would have already supplemented. I def think u should get a second opinion immediately. This could be morning or it could actually be something serious. I know u said there are plenty of dirty diapers so that’s a positive sign but baby should be gaining weight. Not losing anymore weight. Good luck and congratulations.

Answer

When I had my baby girl, my midwife said it’s normal for babies to lose around 10% of their birth weight over the first two weeks. If your paediatrician hasn’t been worried, I wouldn’t worry yet either. There’s plenty of time for him to gain back the weight so long as he’s feeding regularly.

Answer

My daughter was born at 9 lbs. when we left the hospital she was 8.9lb and when she was two weeks she weighed 8.15 lb. As long as they gain the weight back you are fine. It’s when they lose the weight and don’t gain any back or they keep loosing weight.

Answer

I would buy a baby scale and monitor his weight, before a feeding, after a feeding, a dirty/wet diaper and clean diaper. Only in a diaper. If you are that concerned. I almost lost my son because I wasn't producing enough milk, so we had to monitor everything all feedings, and diaper changes till he was 4 months old. Talk to your Dr if you are concered and ask him when you should be concered about weight.

HELP/ADVICE!!! Is my boy losing too much weight??

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