Underweight

April - posted on 08/17/2010

Also, the percentile thing is kind of a joke. It just shows how your baby compares with other (often overweight) babies. It's by no means a guideline for where your child should be.

April - posted on 08/17/2010

My son is in the 20th percentile for weight and is also very tall (90th percentile), but my family tends to be long and lean so I'm not overly worried about it.
Since we switched to formula he has gained more weight. We feed him when he's hungry, and sometimes when he's not but since he isn't sick often, seems healthy and happy I am not overly concerned.
If your doctor is concerned, he may be able to offer you tips and advice.

Kimberely - posted on 08/17/2010

My daughter, born 10/11/09, is the same weight, and has the same eating patterns. She just weaned herself off of the breast and is eating table food and drinking formula. She's been small from the start and her doctor has never been worried. She meets her developmental milestones early, and I don't believe weight is an issue as long as she's eating.

Tracey - posted on 08/16/2010

My baby has the same birthday as yours and she weighed 17 lbs and they are all saying she isn't growing, blah blah blah.... my baby seems to be as active as yours, & I am not worried... if she is strong enough to be just about walking, then she is obviously growing... I wouldn't worry too much about it... seems like you are feeding your baby enough... but one thing they told me was MORE FORMULA/Breast milk! This is how they get their main source of vitamins/minerals.

Mary - posted on 08/15/2010

I would continue to try to give her formula or breastmilk because some food don't have all the nutrients a baby needs to have healthy growth and brain and organ development and most doctors recommend you continue nursing or formula for 2 years. Have you tried a sippy cup or a plastic toddler cup with the milk in it. My baby will not take a bottle, so if I have to be gone we substitute a toddler cup because he enjoys drinking out of that. I would't try to bulk her up, some babies are just little. I would be more worried about getting every single gram of nutrients you can to complete her needs in her development.

Theresa - posted on 08/15/2010

dont feel bad my daughter is 10 months and she only weighs 13 lbs the doctor says shes healthy just small for her age she was a premmie she eats all the time just having trouble keeping weight on i guess hope this helps

Katrina - posted on 08/15/2010

My daughter is small also. But my doc says no worries as long as she is gaining weight gradually. Some babies grow faster than others. My daughter was two months premature though, but she's growing. I wouldn't worry to much she will be fine as long as she is growing and you can see that change.

Donna - posted on 08/14/2010

yeah my babys 16 lbs also, but they also said my baby is short. i know theres nothing wrong with my kid so im not too worried. If i were you i wouldnt be too worried either, she eats shes active shes healthy and thats all that matters

Arianne - posted on 08/04/2010

My son is quite active, && is in the 5th percentile of his weight class. My doctor has told me to switch my son from breastfeeding to formula, because he was only breastfeeding at night, and trying to calorie boost his food. I just think he's a thin child, very active, and burns a lot of calories!

Candace - posted on 07/26/2010

I thought they werent suposed to have eggs until after a year??

Tabitha - posted on 07/26/2010

my son was born october 10th and at his 9 month appointment he also weighed 16.2 and was 27in the doctor said he was gonna be little, but he bf on demand and he eats solids 3x a day and is very active and happy!

Tina - posted on 07/26/2010

Every baby is different! My Liam is 17lb at his 9mth check up and he is very active aswell. Some things to watch out for are behaviours ( you know your baby the best...look for crankiness unable to become self controlled, crying a lot etc), weight loss (of course) and lack of sleep....but if your baby is active and happy then they will put on weight when they are ready! (says my doctor:) And it's true..lenght has a part in it too! Try not to stress...just do your best with introducing new, healthy foods!

Janda - posted on 07/26/2010

Come on! Is she crying??? This isn't the 70's where babies had to roll! My daughter was always skinny and my son eats anything and everything.
If you really want to add some fats to her diet, put some cream cheese in the scrambled egg you make her... that's yummy. Keep well away from sugar or she may get super active.
Babies who eat adult food has less of a problem with food later on. As long as you keep salt and spices low and make sure she gets lots of healthy stuff, you are on the right track.

Lakendra - posted on 07/26/2010

My daughter was born 10/10 also and only weighed 5.15. Her ped says she underweight because she only weighs 16.2 and is 26'' long.. She actually weened herself off of breast milk when she was about 7 months old so now I give her formula which she barely ever drinks. I try to give her other foods to increase her caloric intake but she still doesn't gain any weight. She's a very active baby and already walking. She eats her veggies, fruits, and other table foods that I allow her to have. I have grown to believe that all babies will be different sizes. The chart that the doctors go by are actually just an average of all babies.

Rebecca - posted on 07/26/2010

My daughter was born 10/10 (she was 5.14 when born) and also underweight. 14.3 lbs and 26 1/2" long :( Not even on the charts. My docs are not too worried just want to bulk her up. Bella's is also very active. She too is just about walking. My doctor recomended to me....giving breast milk in a cup at meals(she never finishes it and just started giving her formula), adding cheese to everything. She eats dinner(whatever we eat) with us. Grilled Cheese, soups, sounds gross but liverwurst. (she actually likes it) It's high in B vitamins. She loves her fruits and veggies. Bella loves avocados! Add extra calories wherever you can. I also just started supplementing formula because she's not eating anywhere to what is recommended and I am not producing much milk anymore :( Hope this helps.

Candace - posted on 07/26/2010

my son was born Oct 3rd and hes 22lbs and 29 inches. he eats 3 jars of food a day ontop of bottle feedings. one bottle when he wakes up then fruit for breakfast. another bottle at naptime. vegetables for lunch. bottle for nap. meat for dinner (or a "complete meal" jar) then a bottle at bed time. he also eats the little puffs snacks though out the day, and at lunch and dinner he sometimes gets some of whatever im having! But it is true ALL babies are different, yours is fine :)

Candice - posted on 07/25/2010

Ok so she only nurses once a day? do you give her bottles at all?

It sounds like your baby is on a nursing strike rather than that she has self weaned. (self weaning usually doesn't occur until 18m-2 years) I know a 13 month old that just tipped the scales at 17 lbs.



if you want to feed her solids then go for whole foods with GOOD FATS in it... rather than sugary, fatty processed stuff. Avacado is a great food that has lots of food fats in it and most babies love it because of it's creamy texture and mild nutty taste.



if you can, have her nurse more.



I do not have a lean baby at all. My son was your dd's weight at 4 months old... he is now 9.5 months (oct 3rd 2009) and weighs in at 25 lbs. andit's pretty much all breastmilk. he isn't into eating to many solids. what solids i do give him are "super foods" since he doesn't take in much i want to pack in as much nutrition as i can in what he does eat.

Joanna - posted on 07/25/2010

My son is taller and lean, since his father is tall. He is in the 50th percentile for weight. Just remember babies need a variety of food groups. Also long as you know she is getting her veggies and fruits and grains, then don't worry. My son is active and eats like a pig, but he is lean. A baby's activity level does determine how much they are gaining too. I don't think you should worry.

Caitlin - posted on 07/25/2010

Jennifer-you're kid is healthy...not like one of those babies who you can tell eats everything he sees. The babies you can tell whose parents don't watch their weight are the epic porkers. I know weight on a baby is just fine, I just don't get how you can let your baby get to be as big as some of these kids I've seen. My friends son is 1year old, 30inches tall and weighs in at 31lbs. He's tall but he's also kinda chunky and she doesn't care what he eats. I'm sure your son is adorable as I see through your profile picture. And hey, babies are cute no matter what size clothes there in.

Emma - posted on 07/24/2010

my son is 9 months and ever since hes been born wen i went at 3 months 2 get him weighed ive been told hes under weight , (he is bottle feed 2) hv told me 2 try all this stuff with him 2 gain some pounds but nothing has worked hes stil small, hes 17lbs which i dont think is small but hv say it is. as long as u think she is healthy thats all that matters , some babies are just peitie i dont think you have anything 2 worry about. my lil niece is also 17 months n only weights 20lbs n shes doin absoultly fine, they were worried so carried some test out but all come bak shes a healthy as anything. so yeh just keep doin what your doing shes fine.

Kimberly - posted on 07/24/2010

My little girl just turned 9 months and she is a bottle, baby food and fresh food baby, who is weighing in at 17 lbs. She just keeps getting longer. I wouldn't worry. I too was a skinny baby only weighing 19 lbs by my first birthday. As long as she is healthy I wouldn't worry about her weight.

Chris - posted on 07/24/2010

My daughter is 9 months old and doesn't eat baby food and only has the one bottle of formula a day. not sure how much she weighs but is thin for her age. She was a prem baby but you'd never know.
She is nearly walking by herself and I have to strap her into her high chair just so she'll stay still for 30 seconds.
Like I said she is thin but tall but is healthy. She doesn't look ill and if your daughter is the same that's ok. Really the weight isn't a huge factor if your child is healthy, she may be tall too and it sounds like he burns off the energy very quickly.
If you really feel the need to bulk her up - lots of vegies is always a good thing!

Jennifer - posted on 07/23/2010

Sorry Caitlin I just had to see what this was about and it sounds like your baby is doing just fine. Whatever works is my motto. But I'm really posting in reply to jayme's statement about babies in 12-18 month clothes. My son was 22lbs and 29 3/4in at his 9mos and he is not nearly an epic porker as you would say....quite healthy actually. I believe he's about 75th percentile not that that matters either. The point is he is damn cute even in 12-18 month size clothes!!

Caitlin - posted on 07/23/2010

Aww, he sounds cute. I've seen some big babies and wondered their age. I think you love your kid no matter what size or how they look (or you should). Yea, sometimes you get worried, all parents do. But there is only so much you can do as a parent for your kids.
When I was at the pool the other day with Maddie someone asked if she was 6months old, I started laughing and told them they were 3months off.

Jade - posted on 07/23/2010

my son was 9months on wednesday, he weighs 21lb14oz... he has always been a big baby he was 8lb14oz when he was born. he is on 3 meals a day and one bottle at night but he has 7oz of milk with his cereal. he fits in mainly 9-12 clothes now but can fit in some 6-9 & some 12-18. my son is not fat and does not look overweight, but he is very long and does look older than he is. he eats healthy food and loves fruit & veg etc. i dont think there is much people can do its just how your baby is. i dont want my son to be smaller i love him just the way he is, even though he looks older and goes through clothes very fast.

Meg - posted on 07/23/2010

Hi Caitlin, my son Riley was born on 21 Oct so he's just 9 months. I'm also concerned about his weight because at our baby group, he's the oldest, yet weighs the least. He's the definition of active, the only time he's ever still is when he's asleep. He's not walking yet but crawls FAST and is standing up moving around along the furniture. I'm not sure how to convert but in kgs he's 8.9 kgs. He also started off above average for his height and weight and since becoming so active, has dropped. I've also been told not to worry, but can't seem to shake my concerns. He eats well, also not much baby food, but breast feeds alot. If I'd let him, he'd feed all day on the boobie (typical man !). I've started giving Riley something we used to get back in South Africa. It's called Kreemy Meal and is a maize derivative. It's a porridge really, but I know it makes people fat, so I'm giving that a try by adding it into his routine. Fingers crossed that it works. Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I hope you get the answers you're looking for. Good luck !

Arianne - posted on 07/21/2010

My son is the same way! He looks perfectly healthy! Not too skinny, but no extra rolls either. Yer not crazy! Or if you are... I am too! hahahah. :]

Caitlin - posted on 07/21/2010

It's just she doesn't look sickly skinny, just quite petitie and now I don't want an unhealthy looking overweight baby.
I'm glad someone doesn't think I'm nuts for saying that.

Arianne - posted on 07/21/2010

Oh no! I'm worried about the same thing! Our kids are only 2 weeks apart, so I completely understand!

Caitlin - posted on 07/21/2010

Thanks Arianne!
I'm going to call my dr. tomorrow and ask about the supplement. I don't want to overbulk her, she has gained a lb. a month since she was born so I know she's doing good. As long as she is healthy, I'm happy. I just don't want one of those really big babies that you see on the Maury show (please don't judge me for saying that).

Arianne - posted on 07/21/2010

OH. I almost forgot! Today the Dietitian recommended that I add a little Olive oil to his food to boost the calories. She said that 16-18 ounces or formula/breast milk a day plus three meals is where babies his age should be eating.

She also gave me some samples of a powder called DuoCal. I think she said it has, don't quote me on this, 45 calories for every teaspoon of powder. It's tasteless && odorless so they don't even know it's in their food.

Also my son REFUSED to drink formula, but I just kept offering it to him, && eventually he began drinking it. Now he still continues to breastfeed in the morning && at night, but has formula throughout the day.

Arianne - posted on 07/21/2010

I had the same thing happen to me. My son began weaning to only eat in the morning and at night and I was concerned and took him in to see his doctor. My son weighed 16lbs 15oz at this past 9 month check-up and my doctor said he was not heavy enough. He has since had me put him on formula to bulk him up, and I had to go see a Dietitian today to see how have can up his caloric intake. My son has been gaining a pound a month, but the doctor still seems semi concerned. My son LOVES food, and we were told to not give it to him unless he's eaten a bottle first!

I don't want to bulk him up so much that in a few months they're going to tell me "He seems to be overweight, lets talk about a diet plan...".

My son is VERY active, && that is why he hasn't gained as much weight. He burns off his calories very quickly!

Caitlin - posted on 07/21/2010

Her dad was Dutch-tall and lean. And I'm petite myself...even though I'm short I only carry my weight when I'm pregnant. So we were both skinny. She's in 50th percentile for height exactly-27inches. She is tall.
She is adjusting to taking Vitamin D milk mixed with Nesquik and I'm keeping up with her vitamin. I think if I keep up with that and making sure she eats healthy she'll be ok. She just learned to go up stairs (with supervision) and she is working on walking so I know a lot of it is because she is so mobile...

Autumn - posted on 07/21/2010

it is normal for them to "lean out" when they get mobile. They are getting in a good exercise.
What percentile was her height? If there isn't much of a gap, than she is just a little baby.
You also need to consider genes. If you are skinny or if Daddy is skinny, she may have gotten that high metabolism. My daughter's pediatrician (when she was a baby) tried to tell me she was to skinny and wanted to give her supplements to help her gain weight. I got a second opinion and that doc pointed out that I am tall and skinny along with my son (3yo at the time) so she was tall and skinny too.
But if you are still looking to help her fill out, you could look into those supplements. I here it is just a different kind of formula. Hospitals give them to preemie babies to help them bulk up before leaving the hospital.

Christina - posted on 07/21/2010

my daughter was born on Oct 6th as well, she is currently 29inches long and weighs in at a whopping 18 pounds. because she is so long in the torso and legs, she has to wear 12 month clothes. her dr was worried at first but after finding out how tall and skinny Sarah's daddy is, she wasn't worried any longer. truthfully, all babies grow at different rates. if your lil one's dr isn't worried then you shouldn't be either. as long as she is eating and is active then go with the flow.

Jada - posted on 07/21/2010

It really shouldn't matter if she "looks" healthy as long as she is healthy. My daughter was a butterball at 6 months by one year when she started walking she was still wearing 9 month old tops but had to have 12 month bottoms (for the length- I had to safety pin them to fit). Just continue to do what you're doing and it will all work out. : )

Camy - posted on 07/20/2010

oh and she will be 10 months on aug 2nd

Camy - posted on 07/20/2010

my daughter is the same. she is healthy. she eats 3 times a day...if she is hungry and snacks off and on. i dont make her eat if she doesnt want to. she weighs in at 16 lbs and 12oz and height is almost 28ins. the doc thinks i dont feed her enough and that she may be malnourished...but she isnt. she is constantly going. she fits in 6 to 9 month clothes loosely. and i still nurse about 3 times a day.

Terresa - posted on 07/20/2010

I wouldn't stress about her weight. My little girl just turned 9 months and when she was born she was in the 50th% and at every doctor's visit she goes down in %iles. She is now 17lbs and in the 25th%. The doctor's aren't concerned and said that she looks healthy and as long as she does not lose weight they are not concerned. The %iles are not as important as the fact that she continues to gain weight. But I know it's stressful to see your baby going down in anything. One of the health nurses I spoke with said to introduce yogurt for fat content. I don't know if it helps but she is still consistently gaining weight, just not as much as the "average" baby (If there is such a thing).

Ginger - posted on 07/20/2010

My daughter was born Oct. 26, so she is just shy of the 9 month mark. Last time we took her to the dr. (a few weeks ago), she weighed about 14lbs. The doctor doesn't seem overly concerned. She is hitting all milestones, very active, crawling (even can go up the stairs!). I do breastfeed and have been breastfeeding since day 1. She has 3 meals a day (cereal/baby food/some things off the table) and lots of snacks, and I breastfeed 4-6 times a day depending on her mood).

She wasn't a premie (weighed 6lb. 14oz at birth). Began to fall on the charts around 2 months, but she has remained consistent since (0-5 percentile), with height being around 20th percentile. The doctor ordered a CBC, thyroid test (because I was concerned), but both came back normal. He says she's just small and calls her a "little shrimp" lol. We get comments all time about how small she is but we've learned to ignore them :p.

The doctor did recommend vitamins, so she takes poly-vi-sol. But, he didn't seem concerned and said we could keep monitoring her and if something drastic changes in her weight, he would refer her to an endocrinologist.

Tiffany - posted on 07/20/2010

My daughter was born Oct 12, 2010 and she also weighed 16lbs at her 9month check up. She is not a big eater either. I am still breastfeeding her as well but she will eat only when she wants to go to bed(to self sooth herself) and she will not take a bottle. I have also had trouble with solid baby food with her. She will only eat banana baby food. However, she has followed a steady growth curve and as long as it is steady there is not a big problem. It just means that this is normal growth for her. her eating habits are frustrating be you have to be patient. Maybe you just have to find that certain food that she loves..it just takes time I guess.

Caitlin - posted on 07/19/2010

She won't take formula. No way, no how, no matter what brand or mixed with what.

Kimberly - posted on 07/19/2010

i have already posted once before. but after what you wrote after me i was wondering if you tried to formula feed her? I am not sure if you would do that but if you are concerned about the weight trying formula might help her pack on a few pounds. and also about her diaper looking big lol. babies carry their weight differently. my daughter has a big butt and is already in size 4!! but she doesn't look big. her weight is distributed very well just has a little extra junk in the trunk. :) i wish you all the luck in the world. :)

Lemettris - posted on 07/18/2010

My 1st daughter was a small baby. Her Dr. said as long as she was eating something and was healthy she would be fine. Today she is seven years old. She has a big appetite and is still very slender and healthy.

Junie - posted on 07/18/2010

OMG am having the same pfoblem with my son he is verry healthy bout he weight about the same as your baby its not that he is not eating he just wont gain any pounds at all am worried sick about it i tried all sorts of food am all out of options.

Tiffany - posted on 07/17/2010

If you're doctor isn't worried, I would try not to worry too much. My daughter is 9 months old and she is a big girl..she is 21.70 lbs and 29 1/2 inches long. My 22 month old niece, is only 1 lb more. Our doctor is trying to help get her to gain some weight, but if she is eating and getting enough fluids I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe try putting her formula in a sippy cup? See if she might drink from that. Just a suggestion. =) I think those drinks you were talking about trying to give her is a good idea. Or maybe try baby food, unless it's not for you. My daughter has actually stopped gaining since we got her on baby food. She only gained 1 lb in 3 months. Any way, I'm sure if your doctor is not worried, then your baby is doing just fine. =)

Christina - posted on 07/17/2010

Sounds like you're doing a great job with feeding her and that you're giving her a variety of foods. I would just keep that up and try not to worry about what the scale says. It sounds like she's a healthy, but small baby. My daughter will be 9 months on the 23rd and only weighs about 16, maybe 17 lbs. I don't give her baby food, I just give her whatever we are having (I have two older daughters) and she eats everything I give her. She's very active also and is getting ready for her first steps also. My advice: keep doing what you're doing! :)

Jessica - posted on 07/16/2010

Not sure if you mix formula or breast milk in with any of her meals but my ped recommend mixing 1/2 scoop to 1 scoop of formula in with her food for the added calories and vitamins. Seemed to have helped a bit with my girl who is in about the 20th percentile. As long as she has remained in the same percentile and not dropped significantly, the peds don't seem to be concerned.

Sally - posted on 07/16/2010

Babies, just like everyone else, come in all shapes and sizes. If she's healthy and the doctor's not worried, just let her be. If she's naturally small, trying to 'bulk her up' could make mealtime unpleasant. My doctor told me that most of the percentile charts were made in the 50's when not only was formula the norm, but having the fattest baby possible was a point of pride. He liked to see a baby 20-30 points lower on height than weight.
If she's really thinned out since her last check, she could be getting ready for a growth spurt. Some babies get tall then chunk up; some babies do the opposite.
Being active will make her thinner (just like us), but babies don't know cultural stereotypes yet. Unlike teenagers she doesn't care how the diaper makes her butt look and will eat when she is hungry.
There is nothing wrong with not being 19 lbs. by your 1st birthday. The only thing that will affect is how soon you can turn her car seat. It's supposed to be safer to leave them backwards as long as you can.
Good luck

Caitlin - posted on 07/16/2010

She was strict boob for 4monts...then it was boob and 4jars of baby food a day. Then about 8months she decided to self-wean...some think it may be because I got pregnant again but she still takes the boob at night.
I'm just going to take your guys' positive advice...she is healthy and has hit so many milestones and is almost walking. She doesn't seem to have any food allergies so I'm going to go with she is ok.
You guys really helped. Sometimes as a parent you can't help but worry but this really helped me calm down.
I love you guys