TL;DR: I am exclusively pumping + bottle feeding my LO. His weight has plateaued for over a month, but his growth in length/head circumference is great. Besides weight, he has been doing wonderful. His DR recommended to fortify my milk and now he’s spitting up large amounts, irritable, and has mucusy poop. I am feeling utterly defeated on how to help him and very let down about my milk.
My LO is 10 weeks this week and is happy, curious, meeting milestones, and recently sleeping through the night (7pm- ~4/5am). His birth weight was 7lbs 1oz. He was making good progress the first month… However since end of March he has plateaued in the weight area. Right now his weight usually comes in around 8lbs 12 oz. He is not losing weight, just staying the same.
I exclusively pump. Currently he drinks around 4-5oz every 2-3 hours during the day. Around 6-7 weeks he had a bit of a “happy baby” problem, but that resolved. If he spits up, it’s later on when the milk is already digested.
At his two month check up on Monday, the doctor recommended to fortify my milk using Similac Advanced. Basically said my milk wasn’t giving enough fat. I was crushed to hear this, as I have an entire chest freezer stash going. I feel so defeated like I am not doing enough now and it’s been really eating at me.
Now with fortifying per the instructions, he’s been incredibly fussy. He’s spitting up later on but it’s a LOT- curdled milk and a lot of liquid. His poop has also turned very mucusy. He woke up many times the past few nights due to spit up and wanting to eat more. He is doing a 4oz bottle with 1/4th scoop of formula.
Yesterday at the newborn clinic, the lactation consultant said my milk should be more than enough. When he was just drinking my milk alone, he was keeping it down and having good diaper output. I did message his doctor but I’m so conflicted on what to do. I’ve been an emotional wreck since Monday feeling like I’ve pumped all this milk for absolutely nothing.
Any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. 🫶🏼