My LO fell off of the growth chart :(

Jenny33 · August 2011

Last month (6 mos. old) my LO was the 3rd percentile. Today at 7 mos. old, we went in for a weight check and he fell out of the blue range.

My LO is breastfed 5 times a day. I am fairly certain that he gets 5-7 ounces per nursing session. We have added solids two times a day, which he likes... but only eats a few Tablespoons.

Doctor is requesting that we add calories to his breastmilk when bottle fed, add butter and oils to his purees, and add some high fat cultured dairys like yogurt and cottage cheese.

It's hard not to take it personally when I have worked so hard to feed him as much as possible. This is embarrassing to even bring up.

Anyone else have this problem and have any additional suggestions for this sad mama?

smashasaurus · August 2011

Might wanna get that checked out. I'd freak if E fell off anything.

Jenny33 · August 2011

PS. He is 7 months old and weights about 14 pounds and 10 ounces. He gained 7 ounces in the past month.

thatgrrrrl · August 2011

M has been on and off the growth chart from the beginning. At first I was heart broken that I wasn't providing enough for her. Now I nurse twice a day, she gets 5 6oz bottles of formula a day and 1 veggie meal. She's barely back on the chart (at 6 months she was 12lbs 7.5oz).

Up his ounces/calories either by adding what the pedi recommended or throwing in a supplemental bottle. You're still doing right by him no matter what you do.

wilabeth · August 2011

Sounds like you're doing everything that's asked of you. Keep your head up!

sbuxsweetie · August 2011

Chin up, mama! I'm sure you're doing great. FWIW, Colin is 6 months and we're doing solids 3x/day. Usually cereal, fruit and a veggie. Maybe try making some avocado puree? The stuff is packed with good fats.

https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/avocadobabyfoodrecipes.html

themissizz · August 2011

What type of solids have you been offering? If you've been doing cereal, try fruit or veggie purees instead. If you've been doing purees, try some soft finger foods. He may have an issue with the textures he's eating and be more inclined to eat food with a different texture.

ABizzity · August 2011

Have you tried offering nursing more often? Can you be sure he is getting that much each time? My LO nurses about 8 times per day and I think gets roughly 4 or 5 oz per session. I based that estimate off of what I pump when I am at work but it could be very inaccurate. In any case, he nurses a few more times than your LO. Also, our pedi suggested offering 3 meals per day at 6 mo so maybe try upping the solids? Avocado is a good one as well as the other items your pedi rec'd. Good luck!

KatieB19 · August 2011

Most growth charts at doctor's offices are based on FF babies. There is a different chart for EBF babies because they follow a different growth pattern. I'm not saying ignore your doctor or anything crazy like that, I just know not many people are aware of the differences.

https://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/growthcharts.html

xleslieraex · August 2011

At 2 mos. M was 12lb 15oz (70%).
At 4 mos. he was 15lb 3oz (75%).
At 6 mos. he was 16lb 11oz (20%).
At 8 mos. he was 18lb 9oz (35%).

Babies have growth spurts at random times. Try not to worry too much. Take your docs advice and try to add a few calories. It's okay.

Doodle2011 · August 2011

We were barely on the chart at birth and have been in the 5th percentile since then. Someone has to be on the low end! As long as he is gaining appropriately for his weight and height, don't beat yourself up. Try the suggestions of your pedi to add some calories. My LO will sometimes wolf a container and a half of stage 2 puree at a meal, and then barely take a bite at another meal.

purpleaura87 · August 2011

my little man is 9 months n only weight 17 10. he was only 5 3 when born but they still go on bout him being slightly under predicted weights. As long as healthy and happy it shouldnt really matter how much they weigh as long as gaining weight not losing it .

Kaylie Plus 1 · August 2011

purpleaura87:
my little man is 9 months n only weight 17 10. he was only 5 3 when born but they still go on bout him being slightly under predicted weights. As long as healthy and happy it shouldnt really matter how much they weigh as long as gaining weight not losing it .

AGREE. My daughter (who is now 6 yrs old) weighed between 18-19 pounds at her 1 year appt. As long as he is healthy and developing fine do not worry.

Jenny33 · August 2011

Thank you both for these thoughts.

navgogia · August 2011

Our LO is small too- 14lbs 7oz at his 6 month check- we are going in in a few days for another weight check (fingers crossed that he gained ok). I know it's stressful, but just do the best you can, as long as your baby is happy and doing well in every other way, don't worry about it too much, he will be fine in the end

Calla123 · August 2011

My LO is 12 lbs 5 oz at 6 months and my doctor just said she is growing well but just following her own growth chart. He said he would be concerned if she stopped growing but she is still gaining and is happy/active/alert/sleeps well and he says that means she is doing well. I often feel like I wish she would be big and I didn't have to worry but then I remember that I am 4 ft 11 and Dh is small as well, lol.

NewFamily09 · August 2011

I'm a little worried about this happening to us soon. DS was born at a hefty 7 lbs 12 oz, and has slowly dropping percentiles since then. He is also BFed. At 6 months, he was in the 5th %. The doctor didn't seem the least bit worried. DS eats exactly like your DS- 5-6 nursing sessions a day and 2x of solids. He doesn't have many rolls, except his legs are nice and chubby. Maybe I should get proactive and take your pedi's advice. I didn't even think of giving a 7 month old cottage cheese. I guess I need to refresh myself on when you can give dairy. I thought it was later than 7 months with my first son. Anyway, good luck chubbing up your little fellow. Just remember that BFing is still best for him and even if it comes to having to supplement, you're still doing a great job! I totally understand taking it personally.

Blondangel · August 2011

Def try avocado. Since LO has been getting 1/2 an avocado a day, he is putting on 1lb every 2 weeks. It's extremely high in fat and calories and is full of potassium and heart healthy oils.

Angeldcf · August 2011

IF he's close to/meeting all his milestones, don't get distracted by the average height/weight charts.

They are averages. Half will be above; half below. I was always a very tall & super skinny baby, kid, teen. Mom says I was 95% height & usually 5% weight or less. I'm fine. I loved having a ridiculously high metabolism (until college life caught up with me and it slowed down to normal).

Of course, if his development is somewhat behind, it's good to offer more solids or formula to bulk up the weight to ensure proper nutrition. It's awesome that you're still EBF. I wanted to EBF for 12mo, but my supply tanked with the stress from work & going back to school. Now he's BF 1x/day.

katie978 · August 2011

He sure looks happy & healthy in his picture!! My little one fell down to the 4th percentile and the doctors panicked. Sent us to a pediatric gastroenterologist, did tons of tests. So far they can't find a thing wrong. She is incredibly active and often not interested in food (and I was in the 10th % as a baby myself) so I really think nothing is wrong. At a recent pediatrician visit (after we switched to a new dr) I asked if this could just be normal for her and not mean that anything is wrong, the dr said that is almost certainly the case. I bet the same is the for your little guy!!! They can't keep up the rates of growth they have as newborns forever and it seems that some change sooner. I started giving her high fat/high calorie food, but I refused to supplement her bottles with formula. Whole milk yogurt, avocado, and cooking everything in olive oil/canola oil/etc has seemed to help. Bottom line in my opinion, you're his mommy and you know if something is wrong! If he's malnourished, I can't imagine that's an easy thing to miss!! If his eyes are shining, his hair is normal, he's sleeping fairly normally, and he has his usual energy, I'm betting he's just fine! Good luck & hang in there!!! This caused me so much stress & anxiety & I hope you can find a way to be at peace with it and trust your fabulous mommy skills!!

violaplayer · August 2011

We ended up having to put one of our guys on Neosure to be sure he was getting the calories he needed. He is a very active baby!

Don't beat yourself up momma. You've done a great job getthing far, not a lot do. So you need a little help, that's okay! You've done an amazing thing for him already.

sugarmag6 · August 2011

My little guy was 11lb 8oz at 6 months. He is now 10 months and is around 16 lb. I should also mention he is nearly 30 inches long. All babies grow at different rates. My mother-in-law has always been concerned that he doesn't weigh much (she didn't nurse her children and my husband is 6' and 210 lb) but I'm 5' 5" and only 105 lb, and have been the same size for about 15 years (except when preggers). My little guy eats 3 solid meals a day of fresh fruits and veggies, yogurt, baby cereal and iron, meats and peanut butter for protein. He also nurses between meals (about 5-6 times per day). My doc isn't worried about his low weight because he is continually gaining.

akeredun · August 2011

Breastfed babies grow at different rates than others. From 6-9 months they grow more slowly. There are specific charts for us that give us proper growth and development ranges. https://kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/growthcharts.html

My daughter was exclusively breastfed on demand for a year. I was worried about her height until she had a 2 inch spurt last week! So use OUR charts and relax. Your child will grow according to HIS needs. Sadly, most doctors do not know or care about the growth differences between formula and breast fed children, and most are so comfortable in ignorance or anti-woman that they will not learn. Furthermore, relatively few Americans breastfeed and most people are used to seeing these massive (pre-obese pre-diabetes) formulaic children and consider them to be healthy. Relax and follow your intuition and your child's cues.

Tips to consider:

Feed on demand if you are on a schedule.

If you want him to have more fat in his diet, express and dump the watery foremilk from your breast (foremilk is the first available milk stored in the breast. It quenches the thirst) and let him enjoy the rich hindmilk (the hindmilk is creamy yellow/white and high fat).

You are giving your son the best nourishment in the world and it is tailor-made for him! Don't ever feel embarrassed. This is not the most woman-friendly or mother-friendly nation.

Cheers!

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