Baby slow to gain weight

Kristin - posted on 06/02/2010

Mine were super slow to gain. Not quite that slow, but still tiny boys. I would kind of jiggle them, chuck them under the chin, take off, undress, and start again, burp frequently, and just offer the breast LOTS.

A scale is an excellent idea. Your pediatrician's office will likely let you come weigh him anytime too. Keep track of his diapers and if you are really worried, CALL the doctor. I agree with another mom in here about formula as a last resort.

Erin - posted on 06/02/2010

as long as he is having enough wet and dirty diapers than i wouldnt worry about the weight gain...if your really concerned then i would call your local LC.

Kathy - posted on 06/02/2010

I wouldn't worry too much at this point, mine was under birth weight for 5 weeks and she's fine and growing like a weed now. However I did have to switch to formula early because I quit producing

Amber - posted on 06/02/2010

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. This makes me feel a lot better to know it's not just me and that it is something that can be remedied!

Rachel - posted on 06/02/2010

I had the same problem. My daughter would fall asleep every time I breastfed her and I had no idea how much she was getting. We bought one of those baby scales (you can get for about $60 at Babies R Us or Right Start) and we would weigh her before and after each feeding. Sure enough she wasn't taking in enough which explained her slow weight gain. So I started pumping and giving her the milk in a bottle. Maybe I'll try going back to breastfeeding when she gets a bit stronger. But this way I know exactly how much she's getting!

Aubrey - posted on 06/02/2010

My little girl almost 3 months now is having a hard time putting on weight. She lost a whole pound after she was born (she was 6.13 when she was born) and now today she only weighs 8lbs. I am giving her my breastmilk in a bottle due to her having a cleft palate and I am just now starting to force her to eat more because she is so small still. Have you tried to put a cold wash cloth to the bottom of his feet? With my first my midwife told me if my son started to fall alseep while nursing to put a cold wash cloth to his feet to wake him up to eat more. Even taking off his diaper for a little while to wake him up works.

Rheannon - posted on 06/02/2010

Don't feel bad. If you pedi isn't worried then don't be worried. My daughter was 8 lbs 7 oz at birth. Now at over a year old she doesn't weigh 20 lbs yet. I was worried & her doc started to get worried but we increased her milk(shes not a big fan of it) & she is slowly starting to gain weight little by little & her pedi is fine with that. :) Good luck!

Rachelle - posted on 06/02/2010

i had this problem at the hospital and they guilted me into giveing her formula grrr... (i was a first time mommy i didn't know any better :( ) try eating higher fat foods like pasta lots of milk healthy things if your really worried and he has no problems latching on an once or two of fomula but if he's staying par or slowly gaining i dont think formula is needed (it a last resort to me ) i would only be worried if he was still loseing.. good luck