Babies in low weight/high length percentiles...

HBaylies · February 2011

DS just had his 6 month checkup.

He was about 40th in weight and 80th in length at birth.

He slowly dropped down since then because he had a ton os issues with BF'ing in the beginning and we took a bit of time working with a LC to try to resolve it. Once I finally started EP'ing, his weight stabalized and he has been slowly gaining since then, which was around 1 month.

He has however been growing in length a little faster than average all along.

We started solids a couple weeks ago and DS has been taking less oz. of BM though we're offering it often. I really don't believe in trying to make him drink if he doesn't want it.

Our pedi said at our visit that he was concerned about his weight not catching up with his length. I was surprised. He's roughly in the 20th weight and 80th length. He has chunky thighs, is very active, is eating any veggies we give him and loves oatmeal. Our pedi suggested we give less solids so he will drink more and to spike his BM bottles with a scoop of formula.

Anyone else in a similar boat? Did your pedi voice concern? What did your pedi suggest? I'm not sure I'm really concerned at all. He's just really long. Anything 3-6 fits him fine still, but is just way too short in the leg.

Mrsmaybebaby · February 2011

DS is off on his, to the best of my knowledge its 90th length/ 30th weight. Our Pedi isn't concerned about it since he looks healthy and my husband is really tall and skinny. As long as your LO is healthy and not loosing weight, iId let it go for now (easier said than done, I know!)!

Violet_McPurpleson · February 2011

We don't have quite the disparity you do, but my son was above 95% for height and just above 50% for weight.

We've had to cut all of the feet out of his jammies, and he is wearing 12 month pants even though they are way too big around the waist.

ETA: I just did the math and our disparity is greater. Our pedi is not concerned at all. He's just tall and thin like his parents.

kg_08 · February 2011

That sounds kinda weird to me. Usually it's not that big of an issue if the percentiles for weight and height are off... I mean it's not entirely common for someone to be 50% for each ya know?

At DD's 4 month appointment she was 12 lbs and 23.5 inches. Pedi said to start solids because she was small but wasn't really worried.

laragabrielle · February 2011

My preemie is in the 5th percentile for weight and 75th for length! She is not a great eater, and with the introduction of solids and teething, her milk intake has gone down. We have supplemented my breastmilk with a little formula since the NICU days for extra calories. My little one is happy and active and looks healthy but is quite the string bean. The GI specialist expressed concern about the discrepancy because it basically means her "BMI" equivalent is low, but our pedi is not as concerned since she has followed her own little curve.

lecunkel11 · February 2011

My LO is in the 25th percentile for weight and 75% for length. Sometimes i think its just normal. I have started her on soilds and she is taking to them pretty good. My mom said I was pretty much the same, funny thing is I ended up being short and skinny (my hubby is too)! So good luck and keep up the good work you are doing and I am sure everything will be fine! Big Smile

bethanylang · February 2011

I totally agree with PP, you shouldn't worry about the ratio. LO has been steady at 80% for height & 5-10% for weight. It freaks me out everytime, but she is perfectly healthy and our pedi always says "she's following her own curve!" I even plotted myself on the chart and fell very similar.

JillAly · February 2011

My dd is 14th percentile for weight and 79th percentile for height.

I was very concerned. My pedi isn't at all. He said the same as other pediatricians- they grow at their own rate and things even out down the road. All my pedi cared about was whether she is putting out wet diapers and popping consistently.

My pedi said her body is working and maybe she'll have a fast metabolism- yeah-right- not with me as her mom- I have the slowest metabolism. If she didn't look like me, I'd wonder if she was mine- LOL.

bancbev · February 2011

My DD started off in the 50th for weight (however was almost 2 weeks overdue and swollen from induction/c section) and at her 6 month appointment was 6th for weight and 91st for length. She also hasn't doubled her birth weight. Her pedi isn't concerned at all. I brought up supplementing and he said we didn't need to. He said that while he would like to see her put on some weight, she is completely healthy, happy and meeting all her milestones. Some babies are just skinny.

hnmccormack · February 2011

My LO just had her 6 month visit last week she was 23% weight and 83% height. Our pediatrician was not concerned about her weight. She is happy and healthy so I'm not too worried about it.

MWoodside · February 2011

From my understanding being a low % isn't necessarily an issue. But it CAN BE an issue when your LOs percentile drastically changes. A decrease from 40 to 20% for weight is a significant decrease that I'd take seriously.

Haven1 · February 2011

MWoodside:
From my understanding being a low % isn't necessarily an issue. But it CAN BE an issue when your LOs percentile drastically changes. A decrease from 40 to 20% for weight is a significant decrease that I'd take seriously.

THis exactly. The percentile chart isn't intended to be used as a comparison to other babies. It's intended to be used as a comparison to your previous numbers.

A baby who's always been in the 20% is not a concern. A baby who's always been above average and quickly falls to 20% can be a concern.

snansley · February 2011

Agree with Haven and Woodside. DS was in the 5-10% range for weight his first couple months, His doctor wasn't concerned because as he says, someone has to be on that end of the curve. He said what they watch for is to make sure the baby stays roughly on the same curve. A big drop can be cause for concern. Sounds like your doctor isn't sounding the alarm quite yet, but does want to rule out reasons for not gaining weight. Hopefully, pumping up the calories will help and LO will get back on track.

ctgrl · February 2011

I agree with PP that it is pretty common for there to be a discrepancy between teh height and weight %s. DD is 90% for height and 70% for weight. My pedi said that as long as they are stay along the same growth curves then there is no need to worry. This might help you. https://www.mybirthcare.com/favorites/babygrowth.asp

Obviously it is just a guide but you can put in the height and weight each month and see if DS is growing consistently.

KimW · February 2011

At 6 months, DS was 90+ for height and 5-10 for weight. But since he's always been long and skinny, it wasn't cause for concern.

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