Concerned about percentile

ShianeNicole

Elliot had a Dr appointment yesterday and I was shocked when they told me she was in the THIRD percentile for weight. She was in 50th percentile for head circumference and 50th for height. I didn't think she was overly small but maybe she is? Has anyone else had similar experiences? She eats 4 to 6 oz every 3 to 4 hours. Usually about 24 to 30 oz a day. A mix of breast milk and formula. 

dramaphile

Has she dropped on percentile, or is this where she's been?  The percentiles exist because babies are on a spectrum.  As long as they are staying relatively on their own growth curve, being small can just be their normal.  It's when babies drop off their curves that doctors get concerned.  A baby in the third percentile can be perfectly healthy, just lean.  Cecily is 45th in weight, 85th in height, and 75th in head circumference.  People come in all sizes and so do babies.  Is your doctor worried about it? It sounds like she's eating plenty.  If your doctor is not worried, I wouldn't be.

LauraK33

My twins are in the 3rd and 7th percentiles  (they were born at term for twins at 37.3 weeks). The Dr is not concerned...each baby is different!

kdoak2015

How old is she? How much does she currently weigh? As per PP most doctors are only concerned if they drop a precentile or two. My doc isn't concerned unless she drops drastically. What was she has 2 months vs now? 

rubirubi89

I don't know, but she's a cutie pie. 

ShianeNicole

Thank you @rubirubi89 !

She has always been around the third percentile. I thought she was supposed to be going up, I guess I just didn't understand the percentile. It makes more sense that way I guess. She's 14 weeks and 10.2 pounds. She was 6 5 at her first Dr appointment. 

phyllisnefler

Such a darling! My guy is little too - we have our 4 month checkup in a few weeks but he's below the 10th percentile. But since he's growing along the curve for the most part, I've been told not to worry about it.

I go to a weekly breastfeeding support group where we weigh the babies and I sometimes leave feeling frustrated over his week-to-week changes, which are sometimes robust and sometimes, like, one measly oz. But as one lactation consultant said to me: "if you weren't weighing him every single week and didn't know his weight, would you be worried about him?" The answer is I wouldn't be worried -- he's hitting milestones, he's a happy guy, he's slowly growing his way out of clothes, etc. So that's kinda my mantra now : )

I'm just a creepy Internet observer but from the looks of your girl she's doing great!

ShianeNicole

Thank you so much! This post has definitely put me to ease! 

Ceridwen77

We had a sick visit on Monday and they weighted DD but didn't tell me the percentile. I calculated it later and she dropped from the 50th (approx at her 2 month visit) to 14th!! She has her 4 month appointment in just over a week but I'm thinking about calling tomorrow because now I'm worried she's not getting enough food, even though she has tons of wet diapers. 

chein1

Did the pedi show you her growth curve? My LO (born Oct 27) is 11 pounds (between the 5-10th percentile for weight) 42nd percentile for height and 90th percentile for head (both my girls have gigantic heads haha). At each appointment, he shows us the chart and how she's staying on her curve. I'm not concerned because she's always been in the lower percentile for weight, but she's also growing consistently. I'm also only five feet 2 inches and 110 pounds, so petite is something I'm used to. Your daughter is absolutely adorable and I'm sure healthy as can be  

ShianeNicole

Yes. She has stayed on her curve well. I just thought she should be going up more guess. . It makes sense how it was explained. That they each have their own curve and need to stick to that rather than the overall average. I am also 5"1 and hubby is 5"8 so we're definitely no giants! 

poupoule

The curbs at the dr have not been updated in a while. injust discovered mine is not off track but within it at 7.5kg maybe yours is not as low as you thought? I know it is in french but numbers dont need translation
https://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_filles_z_0_6.pdf?ua=1

amylee5185

@phyllisnefler It's nice to see you back! I mostly lurk so I'm not one to talk but I haven't seen you here as much since the LOs have been born. Glad to hear your little guy is doing well. 

phyllisnefler

@amylee5185 hey, thanks! Most of the time I am reading these boards is on my phone while breastfeeding so I don't get a lot of time to peck out responses, but I lurk all the time. nice to see you too. I assume your photo is of your daughter - she is adorable!!

chelseaepley

LO is in the 3rd and hanging around it. He's 17 weeks and is 12 lbs. He was born at 8.13. I've been sent home with formula samples every time I've taken him to his pedi. I finally switched to be closer to home, and the new pedi was pissed about this! Says every baby is different and all that jazz. She said as long as hes staying around the same percentile he's good!

Cook3133

My lil guy was born at 9# 10oz and at his 4m check was only 12# 14oz. There was only an 8oz weight  gain in 2 months.  We are EB and our pedi sent us home with formula to try and fatten him up.  I think it's just an easy "fix" for the docs.  We contacted our lactation specialist and it turns out the left inside of my sons mouth was super tight, so we are going therapy in his mouth.  He hated formula so got maybe 5 total ounces of formula in the week the wanted 5 a day. Well by listening to the lactation specialist and not the doc we got my son to gain 8 ounces in a week!!  So no more formula

ShianeNicole

I was EPing and my pedi sent me with formula samples because she said it wasn't REALISTIC to EP. Well we EPed until 3 months then had to start supplementing with formula. Everytime we went back she wanted us to try formula. We started with some formula when I was ready,  not her! We use formula mainly while we're out of the house since it's extremely hard to carry a pump around/find somewhere to plug in!