Baby needs to gain weight.

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

I took our baby to the pediatrician today and she is below the percentile for weight. She is 9 months and weighs 14.8 lbs. We were told that we need to give her pancakes, waffles, mashed potatoes, and fatty foods to fatten her up. She is breastfed and I was told if she doesn't gain weight when we recheck in 2 weeks I have to start giving her formula, which I know is not the end of the world but I want to avoid it if I can. Any suggestions on how to fatten my baby up?

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

She is also just 15.75 inches, I dunno if that matters. DD is extremely happy and active and reaching all of her milestones too.

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

She also told me that breastfed babies are typically chunkier then ff babies, but I always heard it was opposite.

martha919 · October 2013

Yeah, BF babies are chunkier at the beginning, but I've heard that most thin out after 4-6 months or so, so...yeah. I mean, fatten her up with calories galore, but the formula thing sounds weird to me.

SPK926 · October 2013

Hmmm

At our 9 month appt. DD was 15 pounds and the doctors didn't say a peep. I was worried but they aren't. They aren't worried because although DD is small, she has followed a curve and has gained. Did your daughter fall off the curve or drop dramatically in percentile? THAT might be what they are worried about, not so much her weight per se. Also, at around 9 months babies are much more active so you don't see that large weight gain like you might in earlier months.

SPK926 · October 2013

Jbosarge85 said:

She is also just 15.75 inches, I dunno if that matters. DD is extremely happy and active and reaching all of her milestones too.

You sure???? Most babies are 19-22" when born!

loreeann86 · October 2013

SPK926 said:

Jbosarge85 said:

She is also just 15.75 inches, I dunno if that matters. DD is extremely happy and active and reaching all of her milestones too.

You sure???? Most babies are 19-22" when born!

I was wondering this as well.

Giving her formula to fatten her up sounds weird to me too. I can see trying to fatten her up with foods. My DD is very chunky and BF. Maybe your DD is just petite.

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

SPK926 said:

Jbosarge85 said:

She is also just 15.75 inches, I dunno if that matters. DD is extremely happy and active and reaching all of her milestones too.

You sure???? Most babies are 19-22" when born!

Whoops, you are so right, I meant 25.75 inches....

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

She was at 10% at 6 months, and now is below the scale. She said that my milk supply must be low. But I pumped on friday on one side and within 15/20 min got 4 oz and it was the yellowy whitish color which is supposed to be the hindmilk. Is that not a good amount for that amount of time?

SPK926 · October 2013

Jbosarge85 said:

SPK926 said:

Jbosarge85 said:

She is also just 15.75 inches, I dunno if that matters. DD is extremely happy and active and reaching all of her milestones too.

You sure???? Most babies are 19-22" when born!

Whoops, you are so right, I meant 25.75 inches....

Okay that sounds right.

That is exactly how tall my DD is too. Sounds like our daughters are almost the exact same size. My daughter is still in 3-6 month clothes!

Are YOU worried? Your milk is made for her and what her body needs. If she is nursing often (or taking pumped bottles) and eating a healthy diet of table foods and you aren't worried then I say it's fine. You can always go to another doctor and see what they think.

this decaf life · October 2013

All of the BF babies I know are smaller than the FF babies I know. Every single one I know IRL.

I would make sure what you're feeding her has value, pancakes sounds like a ridiculous suggestion and I would eye roll my doctor if he suggested I give my 9 month old pancakes. I would add coconut oil to her food, eggs if there is no history of allergy, DD loves lentils.

Allycat11 · October 2013

This is the only place I have ever heard people insist that BF babies are bigger than FF babies. DD was 8lbs3oz at birth and slowly dropped in terms of percentile. She spent several months in the 3-5 percentile and just dropped again. As of Saturday she weighs 14lbs1oz and her pedi isn't concerned. She said that she would rather have her in the 3rd but because she is reaching milestones on time there is no immediate reason to worry.

We were told to add calories where we can. She said at this point any food except honey is okay. so we are slowly adding in some higher calorie options. Some suggestions were to feed her whole milk dairy products, eggs, add butter or healthy oils to vegetables and we even got the go ahead to give her PB so I put some on whole grain toast with breakfast today. This week I plan to try adding beans to her diet.

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

@SPK926

I was not worried before the appointment, she is a happy baby. She is active and hitting milestones, and she looks healthy. But then at the appointment the pediatrician was saying things about how she needs fat to help her brain grow and she could end up being mentally slow.

@this decaf life

I've tried feeding her eggs, tried scrambled and hard boiled and she instantly spits it out. We did mashed potatoes and baked chicken tonight and she loved it.

Jbosarge85 · October 2013

@Allycat11
Yeah I always heard that FF babies are bigger. On Saturday, we went to a party and their was a 5 month old there that was FF and weighed 16 lbs. I haven't given her peanut butter yet, but there are no food allergies on DH or my side, so I should try.

Allycat11 · October 2013

Jbosarge85 said:

@SPK926

I was not worried before the appointment, she is a happy baby. She is active and hitting milestones, and she looks healthy. But then at the appointment the pediatrician was saying things about how she needs fat to help her brain grow and she could end up being mentally slow.

@this decaf life

I've tried feeding her eggs, tried scrambled and hard boiled and she instantly spits it out. We did mashed potatoes and baked chicken tonight and she loved it.

It sounds to me like your pedi is over reacting and I would get a second opinion. Here are red flags IMO.

1. It doesn't make sense for her to jump to the conclusion your milk is low without having more information, unless we are missing something.

2. There are way better ways to add calories to your child's diet other than pancakes, waffles, and mashed potatoes.

3. Adding formula after only 2 weeks of this change is completely ridiculous especially at 9 months. Even when DD was quickly falling off the charts as a newborn, we discussed many options before even considering adding formula. In the end, with our pedi, we agreed to keep EBFing.

4. Unless we are missing something here your Pedi is completely over reacting by telling you your kid could be mentally slow.

Personally I prefer to work with a pedi who has an understanding of healthy nutrition for children, understands and supports BFing and doesn't jump to conclusions.

Allycat11 · October 2013

Jbosarge85 said:

@Allycat11
Yeah I always heard that FF babies are bigger. On Saturday, we went to a party and their was a 5 month old there that was FF and weighed 16 lbs. I haven't given her peanut butter yet, but there are no food allergies on DH or my side, so I should try.

I was really skeptical of PB this young but I did my research and consulted DD's pedi and I was comfortable with introducing it today. In moderation, a natural PB is a good way to add healthy fats and calories.

gagirl2004 · October 2013

My DD has been ff since day 1 and has always been in the 3-5 percentile for weight. She is also short like your DD I think she's probably only about 25 1/2 inches and 16.5 pounds. We do feed her a good amount of fat though, but even with formula she only takes un about 20 ounces in 24 hours. As long as she is healthy I personally wouldn't worry.

ohiodoxiemama08 · October 2013

I agree with everyone else that you should absolutely not let the doc talk you into switching to formula if you don't feel comfortable with it. If need be find a new doc!

As for FF/BF for weight it depends. My DD is EBF (plus solids) and off the charts for weight in the opposite direction (nearly 25 lbs.) so breast milk can provide lots of calories.

I agree with others that if she's happy and healthy and meeting milestones I wouldn't stress. Find good high fat foods like avocado and use good oils and listen to your gut. From what I haven't experienced the doctors don't know best all the time.

==N== · October 2013

My dd is ebf and I also have always been told bf babies are bigger in the beginning then even out. This is exactly the case for my dd. she was always 75th-90th % then at 9 months dropped to 50th for weight and 25th for height. Our pedi wasn't concerned at all. Unless you have other reasons to be concerned about low milk supply I'd double check to be sure you understood her correctly, and if so, maybe look into other pedis.

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