Dr says my son is underweight...

Amber - posted on 11/28/2009

Honestly, I have heard so many things from pediatric docs about how one child may be overweight/height and another may be the opposite ... Your family's genetics play the biggest part in how your child is growing - not a chart that is supposed to gauge EVERY child ... pffft. Needless to say, I don't listen to the docs when they say that my children are underheight/weight. I make sure my children eat properly, are full of healthy (energy and weight adding) foods, and that they run off their energy with age-appropriate activities. EVERY person in my family (my genetic line) has been "underweight/height" if you were to go by the docs' charts. *LOL* I was a tiny child until I hit around 11 years old, but that didn't stop me from eating good food and staying full of everything healthy I could get my hands on... ROFL. If your child has a healthy appetite, isn't losing excessive weight, and isn't showing a vitamin deficiency/ lack of energy, then you're fine! My 10 month old daughter is considered by the docs to be in the 10th percentile on height and normal in weight. Uhmmmm...her mama was shorter than most "short" people. *LOL* Makes me wonder if these docs ever paid attention during the classes about GENETICS and HEREDITY. *smiles*

Chrissy - posted on 11/05/2009

My son just turned 9 months and is 19 lbs and my doc says he is healthy so i htink it is ur doc's opinion.

Amanda - posted on 11/04/2009

Another thing to think about. I have a 28 month old who is 28 pounds and 34 inches tall.She is only 4 inches taller than my 9mo old. She is also eight pounds heavier. 49th for weight, and 19th for height. Hows that you ask? My mom was a dwarf, though my daughter doesn't supposedly carry the gene. My mom was a pituitary dwarf. So I am worried both ways, having the short gene, or being the jolly green giant. It's hard to know. My 28mo old, at 12 months was 20 pounds and 30 inches. So in that time, that is how much she grew. Scary.

Tara - posted on 11/04/2009

My daughter is 9 months last week is only 16.9 lbs. Her doctor said that is in the 20th percentile for weight but not to be concerned as long as she is growing still even at a slow pace. She is eating the stage 2 foods and cereal with 4-6 oz of formula and seems healthy. Her doctor says that there is no cause for concern at this point. I would not worry about it. He just may have to stay on the formula a little longer than the minimum 12 months.

Kelley - posted on 11/04/2009

We had our 9 month check up last Friday. Jack is 15.5 LB. The doctor says he's just going to be small (I'm 5', my husband is 6' 2"). He's following his curve. He is happy and healthy. He's going to walk any day now. He doesn't like his bottle, I guess this is not totally uncommon, she (Dr.) suggestion feeding more table food, which he loves. We also feed him his formula with a cup, he prefers it that way.

Amy - posted on 11/01/2009

My daughter is almost 10 months now and weighs 22 lbs and is 29.8 inches long. My Dr. thinks she is a bit over weight. I am sure your boy is plenty healthy. My baby girl gets three meals a day. An average day consists of 2 Veg. and three Fruit stage 2 Gerbers, and a few table spoons of cerial and about 14 oz. of formula. ALL DAY. Every Dr will tell you something difrent. He is your chiled, if you think he is healthy he probably is.

Melissa - posted on 10/31/2009

my daughter is 9 months and a week and weighs 25 lbs my doctor has said she is actually pretty healthy and doesnt quite eat solids yet just breastmillk cant get her to eat solids she gets too fussy and my doctor also never told me there was a 9 month check up she just told me to come back when she is 12 mos to get the rest of her vaccines odd...

Amanda - posted on 10/31/2009

My Daughter is nine months and weighs 20 pounds 2 ozs, and is 30 inches long! 75th percent weight, and off the charts in height!

Cheryl - posted on 10/30/2009

My daughter was 16lbs 8oz on the day she was 9 monthes... she has always been under "average" weight but the Dr has always been impressed with he health and her development. As long as your son is healthy and active I dont think there is anything to worry about

Courtney - posted on 10/30/2009

my daughter is almost 10 months and she doesn't even weigh 20 pounds yet and

the doctor thought she was healthy.

Tina - posted on 10/30/2009

my son went to the Dr. today for his 9month check up and he weigh 20 lbs. 12 oz. and they said that he was in the 50 %. I dont think you should worry either.

Shana - posted on 10/30/2009

at 9 months jazmine was 14lb 7.74oz she see specialist for being under weight but i dont see it she was only 4lb 13.2oz so i dont expect her to be as big as other babies. if the doc was that worried he would have sent u to specialist.

Lauren - posted on 10/29/2009

My doctor said that my daughters weight wasn't much of an issuse even though she is in the 15% for her weight and age. she weighs 16.5lbs and is 27.5 in tall. I was concerned though and asked about it. They seemed to think that since she is so active all the time that she is just burning up so many calories, but at the same time she is very alert, trying to walk, says a few words, and does everything else a 9 month old should do and a few things a 10 month old does. That is why they said not to worry, if she was lethargic and not very responsive they said to be concerned.

Lindsay - posted on 10/29/2009

My daughter just had her 9 month checkup yesterday and she weighed 18 pounds 7 ounces. My doctor she is right on track.

Kelley - posted on 10/29/2009

Don't feel bad, my son only weighs maybe 16 LB, his is very small for his size. We have to put butter and heavy cream in his food. He hates his bottle. As long as your son is following his curve, I wouldn't worry, but I'm no doctor. We have a checkup tomorrow, hopefully he is putting on more weight and growing. Anyone else have a baby that doesn't like their bottle? I've only heard one other person tell me that. My son has never been a good nurser.

Jessica - posted on 10/25/2009

My daughter had her 9 month check up last week and she is 21 lbs 3 oz and is 31 inches tall. Dr said that she was in the 80% for weight and 90% for height.

Leanne - posted on 10/25/2009

My son is only 16.6 pounds at nine months so there isn't anything to worry about. He is small and has only started to put weight on recently after he finally got the idea of solid food. As long as they are growing in length they are okay. They stop putting on weight once they get mobile anyway so don't be too concerned abou it.

Mary - posted on 10/24/2009

My son was 19 pounds at our 8 month check up. My doctor said he was right where he should be.

Ashley - posted on 10/24/2009

I just took my son in for his 9month check up and he weighs 21.8lbs, the docotor said that was in the range that he needed to be in. He drinks an 8oz bottle in the morning and eats half a jar of stage 3 babyfood for breakfast, for lunch he has the and he also eats table food to which his docotor said that he needed to be doing. I don't think that your child be 20lbs is underweight at all. I guess some docotors a just different and have different expectations than others do.

Michele - posted on 10/23/2009

my 9 month old girl was just at the doctor's 2 days ago and she weighed 17 pounds.the doctor didnt say anything about her being underweight.they might go by how much they weighed at birth tho..she was tiny when she was born 5 pounds 14 ounces

Marihett - posted on 10/23/2009

He should get in total about a cup full of food a day. Give him high protein foods, it will help to build the muscles & the "carbs" will release slower. Mix smooth cottage cheese with his food.
My son just turned 9 months. I give him 60ml dry cereal mixed with apple juice @ 7am.
10 am I give him yogurt. 1pm I give him a snack (bread or pasta) 4pm pureed fruit about 60ml & for supper pureed veggies with yogurt also about 60ml. He doesn't always finish all his food. I still breastfeed in between.
Dean weighs now 9,4kg (just over 20lbs)

Rose - posted on 10/20/2009

My daughter is 9 and a half months. I got her wieghed almost 2 weeks ago and she was 7lb 12oz.

Carol - posted on 10/18/2009

hey sara, my daughter is also 9 mo. and 18 pounds. she is breastfed and eats very little, but my doctor never made a big fuss about her litheness. she is active, happy, and almost walking. it has to do with common sense from the mom too. all those ranges the docs go by are estimates, and should not make us think of our babies as cookie-cut. meh

Sara - posted on 10/18/2009

All babies are different. My daughter is 9 months and weighs only 18 lbs. She eats all the time. Cereal in every bottle that she gets. She eats stage 2 and stage 3 babies foods and she even eats table foods. Also she was a month early and she is not under weight. I think some doctors say things just to make us moms worry more than we need too. He eats when he is hungry cant make them eat more than they want to.

Saide - posted on 10/17/2009

9 Months baby 6700 g - 64.5 cm 11300th g - 78.5 cm - these are the min. and max. sizes for a 9 month old boy..so, we can say your baby is perfectly normal because he is in the middle :). do not worry about his food..but maybe he is too tall for his weight and the doctor meant it..how tall is he?

Danielle - posted on 10/16/2009

my baby girl will be 9 months on the 23rd and she only weighs 17lbs my doc said she was underwieght and we did blood work and found out she has a hyper thyroid. but she is almost 30 ins long

Dawn - posted on 10/14/2009

My daughter is 18 pounds and that puts her in the 50th percentile.she's also in the 80th percentile for her height.The doctor was not concerned and said she is very healthy.

Joanne - posted on 10/13/2009

Babies are all different, just looked at my other kids red books,

simon weighed 20lb exactly at 9 months, luke 22lb, ashleigh my daughter was smaller weighing that only at 12 months, Kai weighed 20lb130z at 29 wks,

He was a big baby at birth 8lb 15oz though,

So again alot depends on their birth weight, whether they were early & the builds of the parents can also affect this,

I really wouldnt worry, long as he is alert, healthy n pink & happy he is ok, he'll let you know if he's hungry,

Elaine - posted on 10/13/2009

Mine was only 18 lbs... 28 inches. He doesn't look skinny, and my doctor said that as long as he's getting plenty of solid food, he's fine. I feel like milk is more fattening though. Mine eats about the same as yours I think.

Joanne - posted on 10/13/2009

My son Kai is 9 months & not much bigger than your baby,

I got told to cut down his milk intake as he feeds so well like your baby & doesnt need both like that

All my children have weighed about that & i've had 5,

Nothing wrong with them & the Hv never has said anything otherwise,

A baby will eat what it wants to,

Try giving him finger foods, peeled grapes, bits of cheese, wosits, etc, he'll eat them if he wants too,

Stephanie - posted on 10/12/2009

My son has a 9 mos. apt. on friday but as of last week he weighed in at 19lbs and 11 oz. dr. says he looks great.

KENDRA - posted on 10/12/2009

my daughter just saw the dr fri and she was 16 pounds and the docter didn't say anything about her being under weight

Candice - posted on 10/10/2009

My 9 month old just had her check up and she was 22.75 lbs. She gets an 8 ounce bottle in the morning, one full jar of 3rd foods about 3 to 4 hrs later, snacks and juice between meals, a baby yogurt and some fruit for a light lunch, another 3rd foods for dinner, and then an 8 ounce bottle before bed. Her Dr. is very happy with her schedule and weight.



Avacado is filled with good fats. Blend with water and feed to your baby if you feel he isn't getting enough fat.

Mandy - posted on 10/05/2009

My son Jack is just a little peanut! He was born early and weighed 5lbs8oz. He is now just over 16 lbs and we are headed to the ob in a week to see if he is just tiny or if there are underlying issues. He is also short 26 inches - just like his mom and dad! He has 4-5 6oz bottles a day with 3 meals of cereal, fruit and vegetables (plus Cheerios and fruit for a snack) The problem seems to be that he will only take puree food from a spoon for the first 5 bites or so and then he pushes it away. I can trick him by giving him pieces of fruit or vegetables inbetween, but it doesn't always work. He doesn't seem to be picky about tastes (he has tried almost everything), just texture. Any ideas?

Erica - posted on 10/04/2009

well, my baby is going in on wednesday for his nine month and I know he is above the growth chart. He is my fourth child and third son. All of my boys were big. I dont think that your son is underweight at all. How tall is he? Winston is 27 1/2 inches and weighs (according to my scale) 22 pounds. He has been at the top of the chart since birth. He only has (barely) the four front teeth, but I have him on whatever we eat. I just put it in the chopper and he loves it. More variety there. When not feeling well and he eats less, I will give him baby food. I have had him eating like this since he was 4 months old. He olnly gets a bottle at nap time of 6 oz and when he goes to bed at night. He sleeps 12 to 13 hours every night and has two naps a day.

Personally, I wouldnt worry too much on what the doctor says. It changes every few years. I actually had a doctor that didnt go by those charts because genetics and daily life is different for every family and child. My daughter was underweight and extra small her whole life. She is 13, still small, but is almost as tall as me and looking more like a young woman every day. She is just as healthy as the boys are, just a smaller person, very petite. I think genetics plays a very large roll in a babies size and weight. Anymore, there are more Moms being told the same thing about their babies at a certain age. I dont really care much what doctors say, if he eats good, is active and plays, developing properly, theres no need to worry.

Hope this helps ease your mind!

Cassandra - posted on 10/03/2009

My son is 9 months old and weighs 17 pounds and he was 9lbs 5oz when he was born. My son's said to underweight but he eats 3 times a day stage 2 3x's and cereal 2x's and it's not tablespoon's of cereal it's like 14 to 1/2 cup when its made....So I think you should get a second opinion!

Martinez - posted on 10/02/2009

wow, i dont know what to think lol...i have an 8 monthold with a weight of 22 pds and wont change anything...he is super, super active.....climbs, crawls, falls, been on a plane, boat, zoo's, aquariams and more...he does too much, burns off fast and needs to eat.....me and my husband both are fairly thin people because we are so active...so we dont worry about his weight....i thought it was suppose to be that they drink at least 24 to 32 oz of milk a day and food was just to learn texture......thats what the doctor says but my lil guy can take a stage 3 like nothing.....as well as trying a dot of our food....

Laurie - posted on 10/02/2009

Hi there! I just had my daughter to her 9 month checkup and she weighed 19lbs 11oz. They weren't concerned about her weight but did mention that she was in the 50th percentile for weight and 80th for height. So basically, she is a little small for her height. I wonder if the doctor was comparing those figures to say he was underweight. I would try to contact the doctor to ask for clarification. But I would not be too concerned about it.

Kelli - posted on 10/02/2009

My son will be nine months in 2 weeks. He weighs 16 lbs 14 oz & is 26 1/2" long. When people see him, they call him chubby! My son eats 4-5 bottles daily...6-8 oz each w/ a tsp of Oatmeal per oz in each bottle. Plus he eats 1 jar of fruit & 1 jar of vegetables & 4 oz of juice daily.

Barbara - posted on 10/02/2009

@ 8 months I weighed my son at 19.5 lbs.... and he was 29.5 in tall... I know his weight has been below average but I'm wondering what the dr will tell me at his 9 month visit on the 22nd. He does not look overly skinny and eats like a little horse. I asume as long as he gains weight and grows he is healthy. I also think every Dr. has a differant opinion.

Michelle - posted on 10/02/2009

at my daughters 6 month check up she was 14lbs, i have an apt. coming up soon but i highly doubt she weighs 20 lbs yet

Rose - posted on 10/02/2009

Hi my daughter was 9 months yesterday. I got her weighed last week and she was 16lb 15oz, but she has always been a small baby, even when she was first born. I give her 3 7oz bottles a day plus 3 good sized meals a day, and she seems to be growing steadily.

Ahna - posted on 10/01/2009

my daughter is also 9 months and weighs 21 pounds and my doctor has not said anything about her weight. she eats all the time. 6 oz every feeding which is only naptime. and a whole jar of baby food plus fruits. so i wouldnt be worried about it. if hes eating good then your doing everything you can. hope it helps. good luck

Lisa - posted on 10/01/2009

i agree with Amber..a consistent weight gain that measures with bubs height are fine. Just like adults bubs can vary in metabolism also. My daughter is 8.5 mnths, 20.5lbs and always just above average but she loves her food! She is still breastfed up to 6 times a day and her general diet is a bowl of rice ceral for brekky. Morning and afternoon tea is yoghurt cheese n fruit (either mashed banana or a jar of fruit). Lunch she picks at a sandwich and dinner is pureed veges. If your worried just increase serving size or add more dairy.

Amber - posted on 10/01/2009

I think that it also depends on how tall your baby is and how his overall growth is. As long as he continues to gain weight then it shouldn't be a problem. If he continues to grown I wouldn't worry about it. My son was 20 lbs at his last visit which was I think 7 1/2 months old and he was continuing to be above average and had a good growth curve. Now he is 8 1/2 months and I don't think he has gained any weight, because he is so active he is constantly going

Rachel - posted on 09/30/2009

Before babies are a year old milk is vital to their growth. They need the protein for brain development, growth, etc. I'm not sure how many bottles you are feeding your son, but I would try to at least give him 24 ounces (minimum) a day.



I also noticed that a lot of formulas contain skim milk. If you are not using your own milk, i would recommend goats milk which is the closest to mother's milk. It falls short in folic acid, so I do supplement. I hope this helps! :)

Christina - posted on 09/29/2009

My little guy @ his 6 mnth check up weighed 16.7lbs. I don't think he's gained alot since then. How big was ur boy when he was born? Jacob only weighed 6lbs. He is a big eater, he eats a 7oz bottle around 7am, then by 9 he has a jar of stage 3 breakfast. Then at 12 he has 6oz bottle, and around 4 and jar of 3rd food dinner. Then around 7 he will have a 6oz bottle. This is also with him drinking about 4oz of juice a day. Sometimes he still wakes up around 3am and I give him a 6oz bottle, i try not to but he screams until i do. I wouldn't be worried about weight @ all. Your little guy seems fine.

Jennifer - posted on 09/29/2009

My LO just went in for his 7 month check up about a month ago and he was 17 pounds. The dr. said he was in the 25% for weight, but didn't say anything about it being bad. My LO is still breast fed and drinks expressed milk when I'm at work. He nurses at 6 when he wakes up, breakfast is 3-4 tablespoons of fruit and 2 tablespoons of cereal at 9, lunch is 4 tablespoons of veggies and some cereal and a 4 oz bottle, 5 oz at 3 and dinner at 6 (same as lunch). He gets a little nursing before bed (but is out very quickly so he doesn't eat much). He's in bed at 6:30 each night. I think you are fine!

Kari - posted on 09/29/2009

well my son is almost 9 months and he weights a little over 20 lbs, and my doctor has not said anything about him being underweight, he seems to think that he is very healthy and average for his age..so i honestly don't think you should worry about it, if he is eating well, and not loosing weight then everything should be fine..hope this is some help for you :)