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Children's health

Low weight baby

6 replies

Corrie23 · 19/07/2013 22:17

Hi, my DS is now 9.75 pounds & is 16 weeks old. He was born at 5.6 pounds & has been struggling to put on weight ever since. I was combination feeding but gave up the breast 3 weeks ago in the hope that complete bottle feeding would help him put on weight, but it hasn't. My HV told me I must go to the GP about his weight as he isn't following any percentile and just seems to be falling further and further behind - got appointment on Monday (22nd) so I suppose we will see. My partner says our DS will catch up when he goes on to solids but I am not sure. DS is generally very smiley, happy and active, but hating this hot weather. Any advice?

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Maryann1975 · 19/07/2013 22:36

I have no medical training, but if your baby is hydrated, weeing often and is generally happy and reaching milestones then this indicates to me that your baby is just a small baby. Some babies are small, some are big. But I know medical people get their knickers really twisted if baby isn't putting on what they consider to be enough weight. Do you baby on demand, following his hunger cues?

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Corrie23 · 19/07/2013 22:49

Yes I feed on demand, & he seems to be hungry every 2 or 3 hours but he doesn't often take more than 2oz unless at the bedtime feed when he takes 3 oz. Both parents are small people: I am just over 5ft tall and my partner struggles to weigh more than 9 stone, so DS has no hope really!!! I am just a little scared that the GP will come up with some nasty, scary reason why he isn't putting on weight :(

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Corrie23 · 19/07/2013 22:52

Thanks Maryann! xxx

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cestlavielife · 22/07/2013 11:14

best indicator is development - if he smiley happy active then dont fret. and keep pointing out to gp or hv the height and weight of both parents !

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LatinForTelly · 22/07/2013 22:50

Hope your appointment went ok today, Corrie. Sometimes small babies do struggle to put on weight early on. It's not what people expect, because often even medical professionals tell you they'll be starving hungry and catch up (which is usually, but not always, the case).

I agree with previous posters who say that if he is alert, and meeting all milestones, try not to worry.

Also keep doing exactly what you're doing. Feed often or on demand, don't try and stretch him to make him hungrier for a feed.

But equally, if your DS is referred, try not to worry about that too much. (Easy to say; the hours I spent worrying . . .!). Even growth specialists don't like to intervene until the child is four. And in a way, it is better to have any fears allayed by a specialist, rather than be constantly worried by the health visitors umming and ahhhing and not actually doing anything.

There are little, non-invasive things that can be done, like giving high calorie formula.

I hope you got some reassurance today.

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Corrie23 · 29/07/2013 15:47

Thanks everyone, we've now been referred to the paediatrician at the hospital, currently waiting for the appointment. In the meantime the GP has prescribed us some lactose-free formula to see if that makes a difference - been on it for 3 days and can't see a difference in how much DS is taking but will continue as I know these things can sometimes take a while. xxxx