Breastfeeding is the most natural and valuable thing a mother can do for her baby. It provides all the nutrition and antibodies that a newborn needs for healthy growth and development. A baby is supposed to gain weight naturally if it is properly breastfed by the mother. However, in many cases, the breastfed infants gain weight more slowly than they should. We are here with possible reasons for breastfed babies' slow weight gain with ultimate solutions.
Symptoms of Poor Weight Gain in Babies
The most common symptoms of slow weight gain are as follows:
The most apparent symptoms of slow weight gain are size, weight and height of their head. When your child is not getting enough calories, you may notice the following symptoms:
-lost interest in the things around them
-extreme sleepiness
-frequent crying and fussiness
-missed physical milestones like not rolling over, sitting up or walking at the same time as other kids their age.
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Typical Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies
Naturally, babies grow at their own pace, but baby weight gain generally follows a fairly consistent pattern. Usually breastfed newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first five days of life. Next 10 days to two weeks old, they should regain the weight they lost. For the next three months, breastfed babies gain about an ounce a day.
10 Common Reasons for Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain
The possible reasons are as follows for the slow weight gain of your breastfed infant:
Poor Latch
A good latch allows your child to take breast milk from your breast without getting tired and frustrated. When your baby is not latching on correctly or is latching on to just your nipple, they won't be able to remove breast milk very well. Remember, both you and your baby can contribute to a successful latch. Ensure your baby is latching on deeply.
To breastfeed well, make sure the lower part of your areola must be in your baby’s mouth. You can contact a lactation consultant to rule out any issues, such as a tongue tie or lip tie if you’re struggling to get a good latch.
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Infrequent Breastfeeding
Breastfeed your newborn at least every two to four hours for the first six to eight weeks. If they want to breastfeed more, put them back to the breast. Frequent breastfeeding helps your baby grow quickly and gain weight naturally.
Short Nursing Sessions
Newborns should breastfeed for about eight to ten minutes on each side. But if your baby does not do so, you need to monitor this issue. Without proper nursing, your breastfed baby loses weight.
Pain or Discomfort
If your baby feels discomfort due to any birth injury or infection, they may not breastfeed well, and therefore may be gaining weight slowly.
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Delayed Breast Milk Supply
Some mothers experience a delay in the onset of breast milk production whereas others have chronic low milk supply. If you experience any of these problems, your child does not get the amount of milk they need when breastfeeding. However, these can be temporary problems.
Being Born Prematurely
When a baby is born before 37 weeks, it may not have the necessary strength or energy to breastfeed as much as time to get all the breast milk they need. They are also sleepy and have medical issues which can make breastfeeding difficult for them. When time goes on like this-they cannot take as much breast milk as they require, and they cannot gain weight.
Not Taking Enough Calories
Healthy and full-term babies typically breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours. But as your newborn can be sleepy, it cannot breastfeed frequently. So, your baby does not get the required calories. Due to a lack of calories, your baby may not gain weight.
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Paediatricians suggest you start solids after 6 months of your baby. However, if your baby does not take breast milk along with solid foods, it does not get the majority of its calories.
Not Absorbing the Calories
Some babies may take in enough calories — but not absorb them. They don’t absorb calories because of Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Infants with reflux most often vomit after feedings and lose some of the milk from feeding. Besides, the acid from the reflux can irritate their throat and oesophagus and make it painful to breastfeed.
Besides, some babies have a food allergy. If your baby has a food allergy, it doesn’t like to take breastmilk and if they cannot absorb the calories. So, they cannot gain weight.
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Newborns with jaundice become very sleepy and not interested in breastfeeding. They may not gain weight or they may even lose weight, especially if they have diarrhoea or are vomiting.
They’re Burning Too Many Calories
Some babies burn calories because of their frequent movement. Babies with breathing difficulties need more calories as they need to make up for the extra effort to promote tissue growth. A study has shown that babies with some heart diseases need forty per cent more energy
Neurological Issues
Neurological problems like Down syndrome can hinder a baby's ability to latch and nurse properly and ultimately talk breastmilk correctly.
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Managing Poor Weight Gain Issue of the Breastfed Babies
If you are concerned about your child's weight gain, it is essential to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The doctor will examine and suggest strategies that may work best for you and your child. Some preventive measures are as follows:
Check Your Child’s Latch
Check your baby is latching on to your breasts properly. Consult your paediatrician or a local breastfeeding support group if you feel your baby does not latch correctly.
Breastfeed Often
Nurse your baby every two to three hours and let it breastfeed frequently. Breastfed it whenever they show signs of hunger. Breast milk is easily digested, so breastfed babies need to eat more.
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Avoid Pacifiers
If your baby is habituated to a pacifier, it won't get much breast milk. A pacifier makes your baby tired so they may not like when they get to the breast. So, avoid pacifiers to make your baby gain weight by nursing breastmilk.
Keep Your Baby Awake
Keep your baby actively breastfeeding. Let your sleepy newborns awake by tickling their feet, changing their diapers, burping them, or using the switch nursing technique.
Address Supply Issues
If there is a problem with your breast milk supply, take steps to increase your milk production. Take milk-boosting foods to your meals. Besides, you can take breastfeeding herbs or teas.
Consider Supplementing
Give your baby a supplement if your doctor suggests additional feedings. You can also try hindmilk which is higher in fat and calories and help your baby gain more weight.
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Monitoring their growth curve
Your paediatrician will use growth charts that are standard. If you feel your baby's growth curve is okay, don't worry.
Monitoring their calorie intake
Make sure your baby takes the required calories they need.
Bottom Line
Poor Weight gain of Breastfed infants is a common problem nowadays. Naturally, every baby has its own growth curve. If your baby shows the symptoms of slow weight gain, try to find the reasons. You can follow the above-mentioned steps to assure that the baby is breastfed in a proper way and getting enough calories to continue its natural growth. Consult your healthcare provider to maintain their suggestions. Hopefully, you will get a positive result within a short time.