
Lena - posted on 01/15/2010 ( 15 moms have responded )
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i just took my son to the doctor today for his 9 month check up to find out he is way under weight 16.3 lbs witch is 3% in percentile the doctor wants to see him back in a month to check his weight again!!! i still breastfeed but am worried hes not getting enough!!! what should i do i really dont want to do formula!!! i want to breastfeed atleast till he is 1??? any suggestions on how to help him gain weight so can continue feeding him his mommas milk i need to fatten him up!!
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Minnie - posted on 01/15/2010
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It can be really disconcerting when our babies' doctors tell us something might be wrong. Especially since doctors are supposed to be knowledgeable about the subject! I can definitely relate to that feeling when I went through this with my first.
Both of my girls are very thin- in the first percentile for weight for their age. My nearly four year old is 26lb and my 15 month old is 17lb. But they are healthy, smart, active little girls. I never changed how I nursed them, never went to formula, and I am letting my second self-wean. I weaned my first at 12 months and I can tell you she definitely never bulked up despite not nursing anymore. Ounce for ounce, breastmilk is more caloric than most solids, and definitely better than formula.
It may help to know that the charts your doctor uses are based on formula-fed babies, which don't grow at the same rate that breastfed infants do. Breastmilk is the natural and expected form of nutrition for your baby- what his body is designed to use to grow optimally. Breastfed infants grow as they're intended to.
Just because your little one is in the third percentile doesn't mean he's unhealthy. And a baby in the 97th percentile doesn't mean he's healthier. The percentile shows a range of weights for babies- someone has to be at the top, someone has to be at the bottom.
If he's happy and healthy, meeting his milestones and you're feeding him on demand and not substituting breastmilk with solids- he's likely just fine. He doesn't need to be 'fattened up.' Doctors like to see everyone meet an average, but life isn't that way. We all come in different shapes and sizes.
Hannah - posted on 01/15/2010
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mine was the same way, but from 4 months. Since yours is 9 months, start him on some solids in addition to BF-ing. What I do is BF till I'm empty, then offer solids til he's full.
Stephanie - posted on 01/18/2010
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:) my twins hovered between -10% and 10% for the first 3 years of their lives. At 3 they finally hit 50% on the charts. :) Smile and nod to the doctor and continue nursing. :) that was my mother's advice back then, and I still think it's good advice now.
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I hate those percentile charts. I think there are so many other factors that come into play when it comes to your baby's size and many doctors don't even consider them. Were you or your baby's father small babies/are you small people? Does your baby look skinny and malnourished or just small? Is he energetic and happy or does he have low energy? I think you should maybe get a second opinion (perhaps from a lactation consultant or someone who you know is pro-breastfeeding) if your doctor suggests formula. Some things that you could add to your babies diet to help him put on a little weight in a healthy manor could be avocados, high fat yogurt, and cottage cheese. You could eat more of these types of food too. And don't forget to drink lots of water. In the end though, if you feel that your son is healthy (and really, you know best) then I think you should trust your gut. There is nothing wrong with being small (unless of course there is some underlying condition that formula wouldn't help anyways!). We are humans and we come in all shapes and sizes. Why do doctors feel the need to fit all babies into the same mold? It's silly.
Lise - posted on 01/20/2010
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Check out the growth charts for breastfed babies: http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/gro...
Make sure the latch is good, too. My LO nursed ALL THE TIME but still lost weight due to her latch. Fixed that, and now she's a chubby little thing!
But also don't worry if the baby is low on the charts as long as he is still growing.