Concerned after Pedi appt. Thoughts?

AnyaBella

G went in for his 6 month well baby appt today and I didn't realize until we got home that the doctor had written down that G is only in the 25th percentile for weight and apparently the 90th for height. At his 4 month appt he was in the 50th percentile for weight.

I would assume that the doctor would explicitly say this was a problem if it was right? I did notice that he was asking a lot about his eating habits and said that sometimes babies can get distracted at the breast at this age so to make sure he was feeding long enough. I thought he was just giving me routine advice, but maybe he was saying G is too small?

I just don't know how I could possibly feed him more. I'm feeding him every two to three hours during the day and then he kind of grazes all night since he's in bed with me. Plus I give him solids 1-2 times a day.

Would you be concerned with that kind of drop? Any thoughts on what I can do to increase his calories? 

WineCountryWife

No, I wouldn't be worried.  Breastfed babies tend to do that, and the charts in the pediatricians office usually are for formula fed babies (at least from what I've heard/read).  Both my girls did the same thing, and the doctors never said a word about their dip in weight on the charts.  If they are still gaining, growing, and on track for everything else, there is no need to worry. Don't stress, I am sure he is just fine.

I wouldn't change anything you're doing, if I were you.

Celyn

It's quite typical for BF babies to start falling down the standard AAP weight chart at 6 months.  It's not because they are undernourished, it's because bottlefed babies tend to add more weight at this point due to the nature of bottle feeding.  If you want a more accurate understanding of where is weight is in comparison to other BF babies, use the WHO (world health organziation) chart.

AnyaBella

oh good, thank you both!

Meg_Meg

Grayson made exactly the same drop in weight (50th to 25th), he was a bottle fed baby, but our Pedi said it was totally normal.

jsugrin

I wouldn't be worried but I totally understand why you started second guessing what the Pedi was talking about.

Cooper did a pretty similar thing and then dropped even more around the 10-12 months once he was walking.  I think by a year he was in the 97% for height and 25% for weight.  He fluctuates between the 10-25% on weight but it always at least the 95% for height, makes him a perfect baby to cloth diaper.

I'm sure if your Pedi had specific concerns he would have addressed them with you.

danandkelly

I wouldn't be concerned.

With both of my "bottle fed" and formula fed babies I had similar experiences.  Natalie went from the 60% to 30% and Addi from the 75 to the 45..and she's probably declined even more now.

I think it has more to do with their increased activity at this age than what and how they are fed....but what do I know.