I'm going to attempt to make a very long story short...
Today was my DS's 4 month dr visit (he is 4 months, 11 days). Dr said everything is great, very responsive, good weight gain, etc. but I am concerned because he is only at the 12th % for weight (he's always been a peanut, born 6 lbs 15 oz, consisten weight gain, but each visit the percentile decreases slightly- 25th, 20th, 12th...). Dr said noto worry and suggested starting solids, but I was planning on exclusively bfing until 6 months- now not so sure cause would like to see him go up on the weight charts. What to do? Has 6-8 soaking wet diapers daily and feed on demand/ doesn't act hungry. Sleeps long at night though- 8 hrs w/o feeding- dr said that is good and not to wake him. Just concerned because when I go back to work, I will have less opportunities to nurse during the week days. Which leads to my next concern. I've been on kellymom and looked at the formulas for preparing bottles of breast milk. According to that sight, I should prepare 3-4 oz bottles with one or two 2 oz "extras" and have dc feed on demand. Dr. said he should be eating 4-6 oz bottles every 3-4 hrs, which to me seems like a lot, but with his small size I want to make sure he has more than enough- on the other hand I don't want him to eat so much when he's away from me that he won't nurse enough in the evenings- scared I'll either lose my supply and/ or not be able to pump enough for him and have to end up supplementing, which I Do NOT want to do- would rather start solids and have dc feed that during the day to offset amount of milk needed. Suggestions? Advice? I want to do what is best for my LO and our BFing relationship and don't want to do anything that will sabatoged my goal of 1 yr min bfing. Last question- I would like to be able to feed him2x in the am before I leave for work, but with his current sleeping habits, that would mean I' have to wake him2x before leaving. I have to leave at 6:45, I was thinking wake and feed him at like 4:39, put him back down while I get ready and then feed again at 6:15 til I'm out the door and of course adjust as needed if/ when his night wakings and sleep habits change w/ age and me being gone during day. Thoughts and suggestions? Soooo overwhelmed- wish I could just stay home, but since that's not an option, want to do what's best for my little guys and I need help- clueless first time mom. Thank you mamas!