Concern about baby's weight gain

KRISTINA - posted on 07/15/2009

Hi, I think feeding on demand and letting nature do it's thing is the best way to go. I also think that the baby sleeping through most of the night shows that she isn't hungry and is content and healthy. I have a 2 year old and 5 month old (girls) and bf on demand for both (still with the 5 month old) and both girls are in the 25% and long (90%+) and with my 2 year old I felt the same way often after a doctor visit because they want to see big plump babies I guess, but always told me she is healthy and to keep doing what I am doing. With my 5 month old she is actually gaining slower than her sister did but I am doing everything the same and as long as she is happy, healthy and sleeps and plays and continues to grow I am not going to worry too much about the charts or I will go crazy with worry! I think you are doing all the right things, she will be fine!

Addie - posted on 07/15/2009

I think everyone else is right, I wouldn't worry about dropping a little in one visit. Babies will grow in their own sweet way. I fed on demand and my son was always around 75 percentile for weight and 90 for height, so he was completely fine.

Blanca - posted on 07/15/2009

DO NOT WAKE HER! Otherwise she'll keep to that schedule and hardly doubtful that she'll sleep thru the night again, because she'll get use to waking up in the middle of the night and eating. I would suggest your baby be seen by another pediatrician. My son was a bit "overweight" according to his first pediatrician, but as the second doctor who saw him said, he was perfectly to his length. You might try feeding her some baby food. I started my son off at 16 wks and he LOVED it.

Sunni Chea - posted on 07/15/2009

Are you kidding me?? My baby was exactly the same weight as yours and I was worried because she was so fat. She was in the 90th percentile and they told me that it was perfectly fine that she was so fat b/c i was EBF. I don't understand why they would be concerned about her not gaining weight...??

Nicole - posted on 07/15/2009

I once again totally agree with Paige! You're doing just fine. As Sarah said too, double birth weight w/in the first 5-6 mo. and you're almost there by 14 weeks. You're doing great and sleeping more can totally be a reason. No worries. Keep up the good work and if you are really worried, nurse her a little more of an evening before bed since she's sleeping more. Cluster feed. Feed every hour for 4-5 hours prior to bed. You're doing great though, way to go!

Sinead - posted on 07/15/2009

I saw an article a couple of months ago that they're planning to redo the growth charts in the UK because they were based on growth of bottle fed babies in a study done in the 70's. New research has shown that breastfed babies gain weight slower than bottle fed babies, and they tend to be taller and slimmer all through their lives.

If a baby/young child is not getting enough nutrician they will be lacking in energy. If your child is generally fit, healthy, tearing around like any other child you shouldn't worry.

Paige - posted on 07/15/2009

I think your HV is overreacting a bit. You're doing fine. It's normal to go up and down a bit on the %iles. As long as there is no dramatic, sustained drop it's OK. To give you some perspective, my son dropped from 80%ile to just under 50%ile between birth and his 4 month doctor visit. My pediatrician was not the least bit concerned.

As long as your baby is giving you 5-6 wet diapers/day she's getting plenty of milk. Output is the best indicator of input.

Sarah - posted on 07/15/2009

Babies should reach double their birth weight by 6 months, she is almost there at 14 weeks.....CONGRADULATIONS!!! 0.5 oz a week is about the average weight gain per week for her age, 9oz in two weeks is right on track. There are variables to weight...such as at her last weigh in she could have recently ate before the weight was taken, had a full bladder, ext. The quizzing and questioning is normal at check ups, but gripping over a 1oz growth deficit on a weekly chart when the baby in question is in the 75th percentile is not. Every baby is different, they all grow at their own pace, dont let one doctor stress you out. Keep in mind that not all healthcare providers are pro breastfeeding, nor supportive, nor right all the time. Be your child's advocate, and if you are not satisfied with the care you receive by one provider see someone else, find someone whom you are comfortable with.

Martha - posted on 07/15/2009

Babies grow in spurts. That's why they call them growth spurts! It's not uncommon to have one weigh in that seems low. Most doctors don't get concerned until they fall off their growth curve for two consecutive visits (I mean normally spaced ones, not extra weight checks). Keep feeding on demand, and congratulations on sleeping through the night!