Worried: Percentile drop at 9 months

calico39 · February 2011

Hello, I'm looking for input on if I should be concerned. My daughter, always tiny, dropped from the 25th percentile in weight to the 10th at her nine month visit when she was 16 pounds 3 oz. I was disappointed but not worried. And our pedi wasn't worried. But now she is close to 10 months and her clothes (still size 6 months) don't seem to be fitting her any differently.?

I've always had supply problems. I had to work very hard to get to the point where I could pump 3 oz every 3 hours. No matter what I do I can't seem to break that ceiling. Most days we've supplemented with about 4 oz of formula. However, lately she doesn't take much supplement since she has started eating more solids. ?The only formula she gets now is when ?can't pump enough for her daycare bottles -- three four-ounce bottles.?

I've thought about EP'ing so I can monitor how much she gets and supplement accordingly?

?The babies at her daycare are HUGE and take these gigantic bottles of formula ?One of the Mom's asked me if there was something wrong with her. I replied that she is just small like me. I'm five feet tall and was 96 pounds pre-pregnancy. But secretly I'm a little worried.?

?

sensoregurl · February 2011

Ok. There are a lot of things going on here.

First, if your pedi isn't worried about her size, then you shouldn't either. Everyone grows differently, and your daughter just may never be big, just like you.

It sounds like she's not acting starving when she's with you? Babies need less breastmilk than formula. Breastmilk changes to meet their nutritional needs while formula doesn't, and babies eat more. Sounds like she' not hungry, and you can't force her to eat (nor would you want to). If she's happy and seems full and is producing wet and dirty diapers, she is doing what she needs to do.

EP'ing will probably hurt your supply more. Babies are way better than pumps in getting out milk...and what a pain to EP if you don't have to.

Some babies are huge - mine went from being in the 96th percentile at 3 months, and now he's down to the 30th percentile. And he's fine! Although everyone used to comment on how big he is, now they comment about what a little peanut he is!

Don't worry so much! Sounds like she's doing good!

calico39 · February 2011

Thank you?

I think between the percentile drop and ?the comment from the Mom and her being dwarfed at day care, it really rattled my confidence. I've worked so hard with my supply issues I don't want to give up now.?

Genevieve_kris · February 2011

I totally agree with the PP. Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd it was super annoying for that other mom to ask if there is something wrong with your LO. Not cool. You are doing great.

ncbelle · February 2011

Seriously, don't worry about it! This is totally normal. Kiddo went from the 75th at birth to 50th at 6 months and 35th at 9 months - he was very active plus (as my pedi noted) genetics starts to kick in - I was a small toddler so makes sense he might be smaller too.

Also keep in mind that most pedis are using a growth chart that's based on FF babies who have different growth curves - so a drop in percentiles doesn't mean much. Also keep in mind that BM changes to meet a growing baby - they don't need more of it like a FF baby needs more formula!

I also agree with the pp that going EP would more than likely hurt your supply.

And shame on the mama who asked if there is something wrong with her - um, it should be pretty obvious that if you are small your kid would be too!

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