Slow weight gain in baby?

Question

My son was born 7lbs 2oz and 18.5in on 2/4/08 last week I took him for a weight check and he is up to 17lbs even and 28.5inexcursivelyvely b.f and worry about weighthght so my DR has me come in for weight checks. I see other babies and they are so fat and cute. My baby is cute but not so fat. My Dr says it is ok cuz he is gaining a half oz a day. I am just scaredisn'tisnt getting enough milk. I am on RX meds to keep my milk supply, that is another reason for the checks.does anyone else have babies that are gaining slower?

am I just being crazy?

Answer 1

Your baby is FINE. Keep in mind that a lot of these weight charts were designed using weight gain from formula-fed babies. Formula-fed babies are always overweight and you can't compare a breastfed baby to a formula baby. Also, you need to look at the big picture, not just weight gain. Is baby smiling and happy? Bright, clear eyes? Wetting enough diapers and pooping? Meeting milestones? If yes, then baby is fine. My son is 8 months old and weighs under 17 pounds and he is already waving, cruising, talking, etc. Breastfeeding allows your baby to grow to his full potential and weigh what he is meant to weigh. Don't stress, you're doing a great job. Keep up the breastfeeding!

Answer 2

1/2 oz./day is fine.  1/2 oz - 1 oz./day is considered normal.  If babies gain up to birth weight by 3 weeks they are doing okay.  You are not  crazy.  Try to sleep when your baby does, as the hormone which causes the let-down reflex is produced while you sleep.  

Answer 3

My daughter was born 03/15/08 at 6lbs 2oz ... and now at 5.5 months, she is only 15 lbs. She is tiny ... but very healthy :-) she is already crawling!!!

Answer 4

My 8 month old weighs 18 lbs and was @29 inches long

last week.  He laughs, smiles, plays, and is doing well.

I wouldn't worry too much as every baby is a unique person.

Realize that babies can sense what is going on around them.

If Mom is always overtired and stressed, their baby knows

it.  I know it is hard to do, but try to take advantage of every

persons offer of help.  No matter how little, it will help you

a lot.  Good luck.

Answer 5

His weight is at the 35-40th percentile, but his height is near the percentile for his age.  So he is a bit skinny for his height, but that's not necessarily a problem.  Are you working with a lactation consultant?

From four to six months certainly 4oz per week is a normal weight gain, and from 6-12 months its a high weight gain.

weight: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards...

length: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards...

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/gro...

0-4 months   5.5 - 8.5 ounces per week   5 - 7 ounces per week †

† It is acceptable for some babies to gain 4-5 ounces per week.

4-6 months   3.25 - 4.5 ounces per week   4 - 5 ounces per week

6-12 months 1.75 - 2.75 ounces per week ‡ 2 - 4 ounces per week

‡ The average breastfed baby doubles birth weight by 3-4 months. By one year, the typical breastfed baby will weigh about 2 1/2 - 3 times birth weight. 1

How might I increase baby's weight gain?

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/gro...

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/25slow_we...

Slow weight gain after the first few months

Handout #25: Slow weight gain after the first few months. January 2005

Written by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC. © 2005



Introduction

Sometimes, babies who are doing very well with exclusive breastfeeding alone for the first few months, start not to gain as well after two to four months. This may be normal, because breastfed babies do not grow along the same growth curves as formula fed babies, and it may appear that they grow too slowly, when in fact, it is the formula fed baby who is growing too quickly. Breastfeeding is the normal, natural, physiologic way of feeding infants and small babies. Using the formula feeding baby as the model of normal is irrational and leads us to make errors in advising mothers about feeding and growth.

In some cases, an illness in the baby may result in slower weight gain than is expected. Supplementing with formula does not cure the illness, and may rob the baby of the beneficial effects of exclusive breastfeeding. You can tell when a baby is getting milk and when he is not (see below). If he is not getting milk well, it is unlikely the baby has an illness, and more likely the mother’s milk supply is down. The most common cause of unusually slow weight gain after the first few weeks or months is that the mother’s milk supply has decreased.