Early follow up with a health care professional after delivery is essential to catching slow weight gain in breastfed infants. Babies should be seen for a weight check 2-4 days after discharge to assess feeding and milk supply. Mom's milk should typically be in 3-5 days after delivery and baby should be regaining any weight loss. A normal weight loss of 5-7% is typical but some infants have weight loss up to 10%. Generally when babies continue to have a weight loss or poor intake by 7-10 days, they may not have the ability to regain without additional calories. An effective lactation consult includes pre and post feeding weights, assessment of latch and feeding at the breast, output assessment of greater than 6 wet and 3-4 yellow, loose/seedy stools per day. If baby is having difficulty latching or transferring milk, interventions to protect milk supply with pumping and feeding the baby pumped milk or formula may be indicated to help baby regain weght loss and improve feedings. Continuing follow up weight checks and milk supply until normal breastfed infant growth is necessary. Growth charts for exclusively breastfed infants can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.
kellymom.com