Worried about my sons weight.

[Clcrane2009]

Hey ladies, I'm really worried about my sons weight. He is 7 months. He was born a day before his due date at 8lb 6oz big boy considering he was on time! 4 days after he was born and weighed again he was already 8lb 13oz! A month later he had gained another 3lb 1oz, then another month another 3lb. Then for the last 3 months he has barely been gaining a 1lb a month! I weaned him at 4 and a half months he was eating so well I was worried I was feeding him to much now he barely eats anything and drinks about 14 oz of milk in 24 hours! He's come down two lines on his chart in the red book. I'm so worried, something clearly changed 3 months ago and now he won't eat and is gaining hardly any weight!! Any advice welcome I have a doctors appointment in 3 weeks! Xxx

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sorry you haven't had a reply yet, saw your post last night but the bloody DC got my attention instead

Quite often the weight gain does slow down but you are right to see the GP if its 2 centiles. What has your HV said about the dip in centiles? Is she measuring his length and head circumference too?

How often are you giving him solids? Could you cut it down to once or twice a day? Are you offering food roughly an hour after his milk? What milk is he on? If its follow on milk it might be worth swapping back to first milk as the high iron can suppress appetite.

I'd take your red book with you to the appointment and insist they weigh him and record it in the red book. If you get referred to a Paed they will need to see it.

Have you got any other concerns about his health at all? You don't suspect a problem with dairy for instance?

[Clcrane2009]

Thanks for your reply. I have no other concerns he's been crawling since 6 months. He is long. The only reason I was worried was because he was really good at eating but now isn't. I took him to the doctors this morning he has an ear infection so that could be the reason! Fingers crossed x

[MissRatty]

Weight gain does slow as they get older, and energy requirements do change as well. Glad he has an appointment, ask to be referred to a paediatrician if you are concerned.

Our LO has aleays had issues eating and with his weight. Just read a book called My Child Won't Eat which is very reassuring whilst you wait for your appointment if you can get it out of the library.