I'm devastated. I returned to work October 23rd and thought all was going well until today. Today was his 6 mo check up and he has only gained a little over a pound since the last visit. He weighs 13 lbs 5.5 oz and is in the 1st percentile =( He was always a peanut, but weight gain has decreased since the previous visits. Dr. was never concerned until today and so am I. I nurse LO in the morning before leaving for work, around 6:15. Sometimes I nurse him twice if he wakes earlier and then wake him before leaving to nurse a second time. I am away from baby 6:45-3:30 and I pump 3 x while at work (which is the most I can pump). The first time I pump btw 3-5 oz, depending on the day and then only 2-3 oz total the last two times. I usually pump before bed too in order to pump what he ate. He usually takes 3- 3oz bottles and care providers (daycare and my dh) say that he seems usually satisfied (occasionally wants an extra oz). I give an extra bottle daily just in case. I don't know what to do. We've introduced solids, but he's not that interested and I know that doesn't add much calories. Dr. recommends more solids and possibly considering suplementing after nursing, but I worry this will only decrease my supply and make it so that he will get less and less from me (eventually causing early weaning). My goal has always been at least 1 year, but most importantly I want my LO to gain what he should. I am SO sad right now!! I feel defeated. This has been hard enough going back to work and I feel like this is now sabatoging our nursing relationship. I already only get like 4-5 hrs of sleep because of how early I have to wake to feed him and get ready. I have been using a stupid nipple shield this entire 6 months because at first had trouble with staying latched, and now he's just used to it. Could this be affecting my supply? We didn't think so (met w/ lactation consultant and seemed to be going well w/ shield) but now I don't know what to think. I don't pump much, but then again I have the smallest flanges and could go down a size because of the small size of my nipples. There are so many factors and bottom line, I just want this to work and to be best for my son. I just want to cry! Any advice/ help would be greatly appreciated. I do have a large stash of bm stored in the freezer if I do need to supplement (before turning to formula)- but again I fear that this will be a slippery slope towards early weaning. Sorry for the long message- your help is so greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mama in tears...