Baby not taking enough weight ( in my opinion)

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Dec 6th, 2019 11:29 pm

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Dec 4th, 2019 5:56 am

ratatapa [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 28, 2013; 2492 posts; 1020 upvotes; Quebec

Dec 4th, 2019 5:56 am

Baby not taking enough weight ( in my opinion)

Hi me again, I’m kinda worried about my baby weight, maybe I’m crazy(probably am)

So baby is a boy, born 9,4 pounds and about 21.5 inches.

He is getting 5 months next week and he is a really active baby, ne laughs a lot he moves a lot ( in his jumper or even when he lies down).

He doesn’t site yet, but when we hold him on the ground he can also stand by himself and he can turn over np.

So he seems healthy

The issue is that he is only 15,1 pounds after 5 months so only took 6 pounds ish since he was born.

He drinks 7 ounces of formula per 3h, in the morning and at supper we add 2.5 teaspoon of cereals ( and he eats them all) we mix it with formula

And for dinner my GF gives him sweet mashed potatoes ( and formula) and he’s really loving them

He usually goes to bed around 7-8PM and sleeps till 6-7 AM, please note that he almost doesn’t sleep during the day as he refuses too unless we go for a car ride

But I still feel he doesn’t weight much, he still uses sizes 2 diapers.

Doctor says he seems fines and not to worry, and familly says well he’s tall so it’s kinda normal and that a baby that smile and play is a healthy baby, but I’m still a bit worried

Should I be?

Thanks

18 replies

Dec 4th, 2019 6:20 am

kr0zet: Deal Addict; Jan 16, 2011; 3930 posts; 3480 upvotes; The NORTH

Dec 4th, 2019 6:20 am

Father of three here, if your doctor says your baby is fine then trust the medical experience of your doctor.

+10

Dec 4th, 2019 6:20 am

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 25345 posts; 4452 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 6:20 am

Did your doctor show you the curve that babies are supposed to follow for weight and height? What did that look like?

Dec 4th, 2019 6:51 am

ratatapa [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 28, 2013; 2492 posts; 1020 upvotes; Quebec

Dec 4th, 2019 6:51 am

Shaner wrote: ↑ Did your doctor show you the curve that babies are supposed to follow for weight and height? What did that look like?

She did not as she says that he might not follow it

Dec 4th, 2019 9:47 am

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 25345 posts; 4452 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 9:47 am

ratatapa wrote: ↑ She did not as she says that he might not follow it

Surprised your doctor didn't show it to you or discuss with you. Of course not all babies follow it, but it's a resource to provide you with data. You can find them online though.
I put in your babies weight only and it appears that your child is in the 25th percentile for weight. Looking at the weight of your baby when he was born, he was in the 90th percentile. So he's clearly not following his curve, which happens often and by itself is nothing to worry about. You should be having very regular checkups done and weighing using the same scale every time. Your baby has dropped through many of the curves on the scale doctors use. My son did the exact same thing and he eventually found a curve where he stabilized.

What I'm wondering is why you're feeding cereal at such a young age? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've been feeding cereal for a while now haven't you, and numerous people have recommended against it? Have you discussed your babies diet with a pediatrician? What about a nutritionist? Have you considered getting rid of the cereal and sticking to breast milk/formula for the time being and trying to up his calorie intake? Will he eat more than 7 ounces?

My son eventually found his ideal weight. Your son might too, but i would at least look into other options in the meantime.

+1

Dec 4th, 2019 10:16 am

ds2chan: Deal Addict; Dec 11, 2003; 2319 posts; 913 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 4th, 2019 10:16 am

I don't remember my son's weight after 5 months but he was and still is really light. It took a long time for him to reach 20 lbs. I remember he was skinny but still gaining weight steadily. His doctor showed us the weight curve but my son was always way below the curve even though he was eating fine. It's not like my son was skin and bones but he was not a heavy baby. I think my son just has a high metabolism. I wouldn't worry about it unless your baby is not gaining weight.

But also express your concerns to the doctor. Especially if you notice something or see a change.

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Dec 4th, 2019 10:17 am

at1212b: Deal Guru; Mar 31, 2008; 11632 posts; 2140 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 4th, 2019 10:17 am

Geez. Stop worrying.

+3

Dec 4th, 2019 12:01 pm

ratatapa [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 28, 2013; 2492 posts; 1020 upvotes; Quebec

Dec 4th, 2019 12:01 pm

Shaner wrote: ↑ Surprised your doctor didn't show it to you or discuss with you. Of course not all babies follow it, but it's a resource to provide you with data. You can find them online though.
I put in your babies weight only and it appears that your child is in the 25th percentile for weight. Looking at the weight of your baby when he was born, he was in the 90th percentile. So he's clearly not following his curve, which happens often and by itself is nothing to worry about. You should be having very regular checkups done and weighing using the same scale every time. Your baby has dropped through many of the curves on the scale doctors use. My son did the exact same thing and he eventually found a curve where he stabilized.

What I'm wondering is why you're feeding cereal at such a young age? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've been feeding cereal for a while now haven't you, and numerous people have recommended against it? Have you discussed your babies diet with a pediatrician? What about a nutritionist? Have you considered getting rid of the cereal and sticking to breast milk/formula for the time being and trying to up his calorie intake? Will he eat more than 7 ounces?

My son eventually found his ideal weight. Your son might too, but i would at least look into other options in the meantime.

Cereal has been asked to fed by the Doctor, as milk doesn't fill him enough anymore. So that's not the problem.

Only thing doctor said was 'he might be a eating baby and not a drinking baby' aka my GF was like that when she was a baby

The other thing is that he moves ALOT he's like always excited and joy shaking and all, so maybe he's just losing weight at the same time as he's gaining, which is why it doesn't seem like he's gaining alot

Dec 4th, 2019 12:04 pm

thelefteyeguy: Deal Expert; Jun 9, 2003; 24739 posts; 1874 upvotes; Markham, ON

Dec 4th, 2019 12:04 pm

its around 44th percentile...not too bad.

average baby at 5months old is 24 oz of bottle feeding....if your son is doing 7oz/bottle every 3 hrs...im pretty sure it above average.

everything else is normal....i wouldnt worry much....

initial birth weight also demands on mommy's eating habits...

(which formula are you using?; ie age group)

Dec 4th, 2019 12:07 pm

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 25345 posts; 4452 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 12:07 pm

ratatapa wrote: ↑ Cereal has been asked to fed by the Doctor, as milk doesn't fill him enough anymore. So that's not the problem.

Only thing doctor said was 'he might be a eating baby and not a drinking baby' aka my GF was like that when she was a baby

The other thing is that he moves ALOT he's like always excited and joy shaking and all, so maybe he's just losing weight at the same time as he's gaining, which is why it doesn't seem like he's gaining alot

Which doctor recommended cereal? How do you know milk/formula couldn't fill him?

I had feeding issues with my son. I saw a nutritionist, feeding specialist, pediatricians and even a child behaviorist of some kind. All of them recommended against feeding cereal, but you've clearly been doing it for several months at least. I would consult with a pediatrician and ask to be referred to a feeding specialist if his weight continues to drop on the growth chart.

Personally I think you've been either misinformed about this cereal thing or you're simply lying because you want to feed your son cereal for some reason. Which is the truth makes no difference to me, but I would speak with a professional and stop asking on here, especially considering you don't listen to any of the recommendations you get on here.

Dec 4th, 2019 1:32 pm

ratatapa [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 28, 2013; 2492 posts; 1020 upvotes; Quebec

Dec 4th, 2019 1:32 pm

Shaner wrote: ↑ Which doctor recommended cereal? How do you know milk/formula couldn't fill him?

I had feeding issues with my son. I saw a nutritionist, feeding specialist, pediatricians and even a child behaviorist of some kind. All of them recommended against feeding cereal, but you've clearly been doing it for several months at least. I would consult with a pediatrician and ask to be referred to a feeding specialist if his weight continues to drop on the growth chart.

Personally I think you've been either misinformed about this cereal thing or you're simply lying because you want to feed your son cereal for some reason. Which is the truth makes no difference to me, but I would speak with a professional and stop asking on here, especially considering you don't listen to any of the recommendations you get on here.

Familly doctor the one who follows him

Milk doesn't fill him, because if we spend a day without Mashed potatoes or Cereal, he will ask more milk faster like each 1.5h 2h instead of lasting 3-4h or full night

AKA one day we tried not 'feeding' him outside of milk and he woke up 5 times during the night and he drank 5 ounces each time

Dec 4th, 2019 1:39 pm

Mars2012: Moderator; May 28, 2012; 11137 posts; 3275 upvotes; Saskatoon

Dec 4th, 2019 1:39 pm

Mine are all grown up but I followed the conventional advice when they were babies and didn't introduce cereal until after 6 months. I think the main reason is there is an allergy risk when given too early.

Dec 4th, 2019 2:32 pm

ratatapa [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 28, 2013; 2492 posts; 1020 upvotes; Quebec

Dec 4th, 2019 2:32 pm

If baby didn't take the cereal well, we would already know it

As he would react or get sick, since he's asking for more, then he likes them so that is not the issue at end.

I don't know why people focus on the cereal so much when the issue sisn't there

Dec 4th, 2019 5:05 pm

stoppy: Member; Jun 23, 2006; 357 posts; 127 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 5:05 pm

I think the issue with cereal is that it's less nutritionally dense compared to formula or breastmilk. He might be getting the same number of calories but from what percentage of carbs/fats/proteins etc. This could be something for you to discuss with your doctor.

+1

Dec 4th, 2019 8:06 pm

Shaner: Deal Expert; Jul 5, 2004; 25345 posts; 4452 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 8:06 pm

ratatapa wrote: ↑ If baby didn't take the cereal well, we would already know it

As he would react or get sick, since he's asking for more, then he likes them so that is not the issue at end.

I don't know why people focus on the cereal so much when the issue sisn't there

My son loves sugary food and would gladly ask for more if I give him some, it doesn't mean it's good for him. Just babies kids like something doesn't mean they should have it
Most calories should be coming from breast milk or formula.

Cereal is complete garbage and there's really no need for it to be fed at all, especially not every day.

You don't even know if there is an issue or not. Your child could just be finding his ideal weight. This should be a discussion you have with a pediatrician. Either way, cereal is not a healthy food.

Dec 4th, 2019 10:43 pm

Macx2mommy: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2015; 1920 posts; 1304 upvotes; NOT centre of Univer…

Dec 4th, 2019 10:43 pm

I had very little babes that didn’t follow any curve. The were under the lowest course when born. Weight was a big concern for us. Our doctor said even when we started cereal (at the recommended time) we had to add formula powder to it to increase calories. Don’t do this yourself as there is a very specific concentration o you don’t fame the liver and kidneys...

That being said, if your doctor says the baby is fine... your baby is fine. Don’t come to strangers for advice. To over rule your doctor. If concerned go back to your doctor. Every baby and situation is different.

On a 'smart' device that isn't always so smart. So please forgive the autocorrects and typos. If it bothers you, then don't read my posts, but don't waste my time correcting me. If you can get past the typos, then my posts generally have some value.

+1

Dec 4th, 2019 11:17 pm

TrevorK: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2001; 16643 posts; 6897 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 11:17 pm

Our pediatrician gave us a plan for feeding and the goal of cereal is to start them on the road to solids, with the goal of getting them to start eating other foods. It's all about introducing them to solids, showing them a bunch of different foods, and showing them that everyone eats together. Cereals are a common choice at the beginning because they are fortified and easy to digest. They are also convenient and typically mixed with formula / breast milk, which helps work babies into eating other flavours as the underlying flavour is familiar.

What you should be doing is listening to your doctor. You are trusting your doctor with their knowledge of the entire picture. If you want a second opinion, get the second opinion from another doctor. Babies are people, people come in all different shapes and sizes. You have to have faith in your doctor, otherwise your post should be about finding a different doctor not finding medical opinion.

Dec 4th, 2019 11:18 pm

Scc379: Newbie; Jun 14, 2019; 21 posts; 23 upvotes

Dec 4th, 2019 11:18 pm

It's important to not just focus on weight. Growth charts also includes length and head circumference. Doctors need all three measurements to come to a conclusion. If he's growing well in terms of length and head circumference, this is reassuring. But only your doctor has these measurements. And they have the medical expertise to interpret them. It'd be inappropriate for us to come up with any conclusions for you.

Also, best practice guidelines in medicine are constantly changing. So the guidelines 5 years ago are not necessarily the same ones today. Nor will they be the same ones 5 years from now. For example, doctors used to tell parents not to introduce allergenic foods too early (e.g. egg, wheat, etc.) Now they're recommending the complete opposite. We should be introducing them early, even at 6 months. Just another reason why you should not rely on these forums. Our information could be outdated. Get advice from a real professional. And if you don't trust your doctor, ask for a second opinion from another doctor.

Dec 6th, 2019 11:29 pm

poorwingman: Deal Addict; Jul 4, 2006; 3582 posts; 678 upvotes

Dec 6th, 2019 11:29 pm

ratatapa wrote: ↑ Familly doctor the one who follows him

Milk doesn't fill him, because if we spend a day without Mashed potatoes or Cereal, he will ask more milk faster like each 1.5h 2h instead of lasting 3-4h or full night

AKA one day we tried not 'feeding' him outside of milk and he woke up 5 times during the night and he drank 5 ounces each time

What do you mean by full night?

Edit: sounds like your kid could just use more milk. The timing that you are afraid of doesn’t seem to be too often. If moms flow isn’t enough, try supplementing with formula instead of food.

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