Need advice on fortifying milk for my premature baby’s weight gain

Hi everyone,I hope you’re doing well. I have a question regarding my premature baby’s weight gain and the use of fortified milk. I would really appreciate your insights and advice on this matter.My baby was born at 31 weeks 1 day and spent 40 days in the NICU. During that time, he received fortified breast milk. However, when he reached 2 kg, the doctor advised us to switch to exclusive breastfeeding without fortification and rely on external mineral supplements instead.The challenge is that my baby hasn’t taken to breastfeeding and is currently on bottle feeding. While he has been gaining weight, it has been quite slow. Over the past four weeks, his weight gain has been as follows: 110 gm, 70 gm, 110 gm, and 170 gm.Recently, the doctor diagnosed him with cholestasis, which they believe is the reason for the slow weight gain. However, I have my doubts. My baby has successfully fought off more significant infections in the past with healthier weight gain. I feel like he might be deviating from the expected growth curve.When I expressed my concerns to the doctor, they mentioned that fortifying the milk is our choice, but they don’t see any clear benefits. On the other hand, I personally believe that fortification could be beneficial for my baby’s weight gain. However, I am worried about potential drawbacks or side effects that could arise from fortifying his milk.It’s important to mention that we are currently in India, and while our doctors are highly knowledgeable, they sometimes brush aside our doubts and concerns without giving them proper consideration.Therefore, I kindly ask for your advice and insights on this matter. Should we start fortifying my baby’s milk now, or should we continue with the current feeding regimen? If you have any experience or knowledge regarding the benefits and potential cons of fortifying milk for premature babies, I would greatly appreciate your input.Thank you so much in advance for your help. I really want to make an informed decision for my baby’s well-being.TL;DR: Premature baby born at 31 weeks 1 day, currently 3 months old. Stayed in NICU for 40 days and received fortified breast milk. Doctor advised us to switch to breastfeeding at 2 kg, but baby didn’t take to it and is now on bottle feed. Weight gain has been slow, and doctor attributes it to cholestasis. I believe fortifying the milk could be beneficial for weight gain, but doctor disagrees. Seeking advice on whether to start fortification now and any potential cons. via /r/NICUParents https://ift.tt/AauxIUG