breastfeeding help

My daughter was born at 36 weeks. She will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. She has been doing great at breastfeeding besides two things. She never says awake very long to eat, maybe 10 mins, and she also never cries.. she will wake up once during the night and fuss enough to wake me up but thats it. Last week my pedi told me she isnt gaining enough weight because she isnt eating enough. He told me to wake her up every 2-3 hours and make sure she is eating at least 15 mins on each side. But then I have people telling me not to worry about it and she will wake up n let me know when she is humgry, which hasnt been the case yet. Any advice on what I should do? Im really worried she isnt eating enough.

Keep her awake at the breast. I had to do that for a while with my son. Baby in diaper, touching him on the arms, feet etc to keep him awake and sucking.

It,s only for a short time though. Newbies are sleepy little things.

I would also wake her up at night to feed her a bit, since she was born early and have troubles staying awake at the breast.

If she isn't gaining any weight at all, not just gaining a little bit, then she does need to be eating more. BF'd babies usually don't gain as quickly as formula fed babies but if she is still gaining some weight it's not as big of a concern. I would maybe try waking her up every 3-4 hrs at night and feed her.

has she regained her birthweight? that is all that should be expected at this point, especially since she is a preemie. that is also normal behavior for a premie. usually, yes, they are fine to let them sleep and "feed on demand", but being born a few weeks early, she is still in "baking" mode and doesn't realize she needs to eat, so yes, it's important for the next few weeks to offer the breast often, even if she is sleeping.

during the day, I would offer it every hour and during the night, every 2-3 hours, at least until you pass what would have been her due date. =D

oh and 10 minutes of nursing is fine. just make sure you are offering often.

<blockquote><b>Quoting White Chocolate Milk:</b>" If she isn't gaining any weight at all, not just gaining a little bit, then she does need to be eating ... [snip!] ... is still gaining some weight it's not as big of a concern. I would maybe try waking her up every 3-4 hrs at night and feed her."</blockquote>




I think thats why they are worried. She was on Formula the 1st week of life and didnt gain, then i finally got her to BF and she still hasnt gained. Ill start waking her every few hours and hopefully that helps. We have a reweigh on Friday so Its got me all nevous.

<blockquote><b>Quoting dream:</b>" has she regained her birthweight? that is all that should be expected at this point, especially since ... [snip!] ... would offer it every hour and during the night, every 2-3 hours, at least until you pass what would have been her due date. =D"</blockquote>



No she is still under her birth weight.

.5 <blockquote><b>Quoting Blessed x2♥:</b>" My daughter was born at 36 weeks. She will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. She has been doing great at breastfeeding ... [snip!] ... when she is humgry, which hasnt been the case yet. Any advice on what I should do? Im really worried she isnt eating enough."</blockquote>


My dd was born at 39 weeks but she slept through the night since birth and only gained 3 lbs in 4 months, they wanted me to start waking her up to feed her in the night but i didnt i need sleep im the only one that takes care of her and i can proudly say she went from 11.4 at 4 months to 14. 8 at 5.5 months she was 7:4 at birth. Wouldnt worry but then she was early so idk. Good luck.

<blockquote><b>Quoting dream:</b>" oh and 10 minutes of nursing is fine. just make sure you are offering often."</blockquote>




Her pedi n the NICU Drs told me thats not a long enough feeding.

Quoting Blessed x2♥:" <blockquote><b>Quoting dream:</b>" has she regained her birthweight? that is all that ... [snip!] ... at least until you pass what would have been her due date. =D"</blockquote> No she is still under her birth weight."

what was her birth weight and what is she now? I think once you start feeding her more often and offering it more often and as she gets older, then she should start gaining just fine.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Maebaby2012:</b>" .5 <blockquote><b>Quoting Blessed x2♥:</b>" My daughter was born at 36 weeks. ... [snip!] ... went from 11.4 at 4 months to 14. 8 at 5.5 months she was 7:4 at birth. Wouldnt worry but then she was early so idk. Good luck."</blockquote>




From what ive heard Its different for preemies. Not enough weight gain will out her back in NICU.

Quoting Blessed x2♥:" <blockquote><b>Quoting dream:</b>" oh and 10 minutes of nursing is fine. just make ... [snip!] ... just make sure you are offering often."</blockquote> Her pedi n the NICU Drs told me thats not a long enough feeding."

but you can't force her to nurse. 10 minutes is great if you can get her to nurse that whole time. just offer often and encourage her to stay awake by getting her naked and doing skin to skin and tickling her feet and other things like that.

<blockquote><b>Quoting dream:</b>" what was her birth weight and what is she now? I think once you start feeding her more often and offering it more often and as she gets older, then she should start gaining just fine."</blockquote>




She was 6lbs 2oz at birth.
5lbs 11oz leaving the hospital.
5lbs 10oz a few days after.
Then she only gained 16 grams in 4 days.
So she has been staying at 5lbs 11oz.

They said she should of at the least gained 30 grams, or 10 grams a day.

<blockquote><b>Quoting dream:</b>" but you can't force her to nurse. 10 minutes is great if you can get her to nurse that whole time. just ... [snip!] ... and encourage her to stay awake by getting her naked and doing skin to skin and tickling her feet and other things like that."</blockquote>




I already know I cant force her to eat.

People keep telling me to let my baby sleep too, but she will just keep sleeping. My baby was born the same day as yours and i still have to wake her to eat as well. The nurses and pedi told me to wake her every 3 hrs for atleast a couple weeks to make sure she gains her birth weight back. Listen to the doctors.