Help!

AliveaG

My little girl was born 10/10/15 weighing 7 lbs even. She dropped to 6 lbs 9 oz by day 4. Since then she has gained weight at every doctors appointment but continues to drop percentiles. She is down to the 9th percentile. I feel like the doctors are so accusing. I already switched her to formula because they said she wasn't getting enough milk. I don't know what to do! She is a happy, healthy baby other than being little. I tried giving her the bottle every two hours but she won't have it. She isn't fussy, she is meeting all her important milestones, she just doesn't like to eat? She eats maybe 16 oz in 24 hours. & never more than 2 oz per feeding. I'm at my ends here trying to get her to eat as often as possible & still dropping percentiles.

rue:D

You might try changing doctors if you feel like they're accusing you. The percentiles are a guideline only...someone has to be at the bottom of them! As long as baby is gaining weight at a good pace I don't think there would be TOO much to worry about.

tulegrl14

16 oz is a little low for her age my little one is 8 weeks and he eats around 24-28 oz per day. There really isn't much you can do if she's not wanting to eat more. Maybe see if you can talk to a GI specialist and they might be able to give you a better formula that will help her gain more.

haleygriggs

My LO is in the 10th percentile at 9 weeks-- she weighs 10 lbs. But she is 23 inches long! My doctor wasn't concerned at all about her weight or percentile because he said she will probably just be tall and skinny like her father and I.

AliveaG

At her 8 week appointment she was 9 lb 4oz & 21 inches long. Her father is really thin, like he could eat all day long & never gain any weight & im extremely short. 4'11", I keep my weight under control but have the metabolism of cold molasses lol. I really think I want to switch doctors & I will definitely talk to a specialist about changing her formulas. Thank you ladies for all the kind advise.

tracij12

rue:D said:

You might try changing doctors if you feel like they're accusing you. The percentiles are a guideline only...someone has to be at the bottom of them! As long as baby is gaining weight at a good pace I don't think there would be TOO much to worry about.

This! My first was a slow gainer (very similar stats to your baby). The pedi's at the hospital made me cry every appt. once we got settled with our regular pedi she was much more supportive and didn't make me feel like a terrible mom.

Based on my experience with my first, as long as she is not overly lethargic and still making lots of wet and dirty diapers I personally wouldn't let them stress you out.

koriemo

My son is in the same situation! I switched to pumping and formula and his growth still isn't great. He wen from the 50th percentile to the 10th.

Kristyhana

When we left the NICU they gave us instructions on how to make the formula a higher calorie formula. Basically just more formula per oz of water. Maybe something like that would help get more calories into her if she really doesn't want to eat that much volume. Wouldn't hurt to ask the ped.

LaurenBee24

Catherine started in the 34th and was in the 11th two weeks ago. She is gaining very slowly and keeps dropping too. She has food allergies and does weight checks but as long as she is moving up and isn't lethargic we are staying the course. Hang in there. Oh also if you multiply baby's weight by 2-2.5 that is about the amount they should eat daily.

mom4liak

My LO is 9 weeks today and had her 2 month check today also. She weighs 9 pounds 4 ounces (right after nursing) and is 21 inches long. She is at the 3% tile and her ped is not concerned. She has plenty of awake time and is sleeping well at night. She also drinks about 16-20 ounces a day (based on feeding and weighing).
I would switch peds if you don't feel they are being supportive.

AliveaG

I really think I will! She goes to the same Doctor that delivered her & did all my prenatal care as she is family medicine & I had an AWFUL birthing experience. Just all the peds in my area are not accepting new patients. They honestly make me feel like crying! She has total normal wet/dirty diaper amounts & is so active & alert. I just can't help but worry when the doctor is always making sideways comments.

AliveaG

She's a super happy & relaxed baby. Awake most of the day & sleeps through the night. Has since birth.

wack0032

I'm really sad that your doctor pressured you to switch to formula. Our baby is gaining, but not what the doctor wants. She is EBF. We were worrying ourselves so much about it. After talking with my MIL about it, she pulled up DH's weight checks from his baby book and LO is almost exactly on his same weight gain trend. Every baby is different. Doctors should be more concerned with the overall health and development vs. just weight checks.

FatPony

If she's happy and is meeting all her milestones, why are the docs getting so upset?!? Maybe she'll chug along in the low percentiles for awhile and then have a huge growth spurt. You're a good mom; I wouldn't worry - you're doing all you can. 

mom4liak

@AliveaG my DDs ped said that weight checks help make sure she is growing and that information needs to be used along with a whole bunch of other information to verify her health. Wet/dirty diapers, milestones, awake/sleep times, and physical appearance all play a role of determining if she is "healthy" and thriving. My DD has a double chin and chub rolls. She has bright clear eyes, responds to voices and actively listens. She is starting to roll over and hold her head up without the wobble. All of those factors are just as important as how much she weighs and or has gained. She is following her own curve and that is just fine.
Keep being your LOs advocate and enjoy being a mommy. There will be plenty of things in the future to stress about. Don't let the number on the scale take away from this precious time enjoying your new bundle of joy!

On a side note, I looked at my older daughters baby book to see her growth chart and realized that she was around the same as this LO. DD1 is 11 now and 5'6 110 pounds. Obviously her petiteness as a baby didn't hinder her growth over all!

AliveaG

You guys don't know how much better you have made me feel. I scheduled an appointment yesterday to do a "trial run" with one of the local peds. That was this morning. She is continuing to gain weight, slowly but surely. The pediatrician that we saw was so much better about everything. He was shocked at how happy & active she was & was not concerned about her weight at all!