Breastfeeding ? (sorry long )

[Jessica & Amber's mommy]

Hello everybody,
I'm having some issues with breastfeeding, so I thought I will post a ?
Little background....I've been EBF dd#2 for almost 5 months now, we battled thrush for 3.5 months, got over it. We struggled with forceful let-down and over-supply....got over that too. DD was born 6 # 4 oz she has demonstrated weight gain at every wellness visit, however, she's stayed in the 10th percentile. The ped. is not concerned, but I am. I nurse my dd on demand (often) for as long as she desires. I never pull her off the breast, unless she's asleep, I co-sleep with her. My concern is that she is too skinny, she wets 6-8 diapers every 24 hours, she poops every 7-13 days. I asked the ped. if that was a problem and she said it was OK, as long as her stomach is not hard and she is not exhibiting discomfort (no to both). Her poop is mustard in color and really has no shape or form, it's like a soft mudslide. So, why the slow weight gain?? I have tons of breastmilk in my freezer, I know my supply is well established. I used to pump 3-4 oz total at every pumping session, now I'm lucky if I get one oz. total, for some reason I can no longer feel the MER during pumping, but I can still feel it while nursing, what's going on? I tried to relax and look @ my dd's pic while pumping..heck, I even pump next to her sometimes and still no MER, I'm really getting depressed. I'm a SAHM, so I don't pump frequently, I also have the Medela Lactina plus, it's hospital grade and the membranes are fairly new. I talked with the LC and she said I need to do breast compressions and nurse for 20-30 min. I tried and let me just say, there's no way my dd will stay at one side for that long, sometimes she will stay 10 min, maybe if I keep putting her back, 14 min even with compression, she will not stay at the breast that long. My LC seems to think that dd is getting pleanty of foremilk but not enough hindmilk. I'm starting to feel guilty, like my milk is failing dd, deep down, I know I have plenty of it, but my dd does not have the appetite to "go to town" and get all the good hindmilk. I guess that was more than one ? but I would appreciate any advice you expert breastfeeders can offer me. TIA

[Kaytee]

First of congrats to breastfeeding htis long. Most women would have quit. Be proud of yourself. Second it sounds like you ahve been given great advice already from the LC and ped. Let me tell you about my dd, born at 6lbs 12oz and shot up in weight quick. Never lost weight at the hospital and was never given a drop of formula. By the time she 5 months old, still EBF, no solids she was in teh 40 something percentile. at 6 months she dropped down to the 3rd. And she has remained in the 3rd since and is now 17 almost 18 months old. This is normal. Formula fed infants on average are going to be bigger then breastfed ones, it just the way it is. Formula has much higher level of stuff in it that baby does not need. They also tend to overeat while a breastfed baby does not. This is normal. Just like in the beginning of nursing you need to stop worrying about weight gain and focus on is your dd making enough dirty diapers a day. Yes even bowel movement every 2 weeks can be normal in a breastfed baby, it just means you are making exactly what she needs. Nichole was going about 8-10 days around your dd's age. Totally normal. Also the consistancy sounds normal to me.
Have you started solids yet? I ask because a lot of times when solids are started there bowel movements become less frequent!! relax!! If your daughter is gaining on her curve (there would be no 10th percentile if no one was in it) there are just as many babies in the 5th as in the 95th. Again as long as she is growing appropriately and meeting her milestones, is healthy she is fine!! Don't worry about her weight of course if she is losing weight thats different.

Nichole is now almost 18 months old, weighs 20lbs 0oz and wears 6-9 and 9-12 month clothes. She is just small. Your baby sounds healthy to me. Of course I am not a IBCLC but....
Have you also checked out kellymom.com? Tons of great breastfeeding info there.

[Jessica & Amber's mommy]

Thanks Kaytee, I have not started solids yet, in fact, I plan on delaying solids till dd is ready. I hate all the pressure from different people to start solids. Dd is not loosing weight, just gaining very slowly. She seems happy otherwise, cooing, babbling, reaching 4 things and putting them in her mouth. Thanks for your quick reply

[Kaytee]

no problem. I am sure your daughter is just perfectly healthy. I didn't start solids till 5 and 1/2 months. She was ready then though, never had the tongue reflex, just opened and swallowed. The look was funny though. Like I put dirt in her mouth