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October 2013 Moms
PixiesDust
member
Feeling down after 6 month appt
PixiesDust
member
I've been debating whether to post this or not, but I've been feeling pretty crummy all morning and could really use some encouragement and/or advice.
As I've mentioned previously, it's recently become very apparent to me that DD is small. I haven't been too worried because she is meeting and exceeding milestones, is probably the happiest and easiest baby in the world, and has always seemed satisfied food-wise.
Today was her 6 month appointment and I knew going in that her growth *might* be an issue. I expected that she had probably gained 2-2.5 lbs since her 4 month check-up and would weigh around 15 or so lbs. When they weighed her she was only 13lbs 12 oz -- she had only gained 1 lb (actually, not even, 12oz) in 2 months. She had dropped from the 50% to around the 10% percentile. Her length and head circumference also dropped from 50% to around 10%. The pedi wasn't overly concerned because she is proportional and clearly not malnourished and doing well developmentally. He was surprised, however, that she still ate every 2.5 hrs (although she does sleep 10-12 hrs through the night), and that she should be able to go longer between feedings. He also suggested we try giving her 1-2 more oz per feeding to try and help her gain more. I EP, and right now she takes 4-4.5 oz 6-7 times a day which has seemed to satisfy her. I'm fine with that and more than willing to increase her oz per feed as long as it doesnt decrease her overall intake (she tends to hit a limit and be sort of done for the day -- or she'll just throw everything up -- that's happened too). He also side-eyed me when I said we were letting her feed herself non-pureed food (he's one of the old-school docs at the practice and I didn't even want to get into BLW with him).
I guess there's no real point to this post. I'm just feeling defeated -- like I'm the worst mom in the world. I'm also feeling judged (i think this is mostly in my head), and that it's my fault she isn't gaining weight as rapidly as she should. Here's hoping that she'll successfully increase her intake, and along with some solids, get back on track.
As I've mentioned previously, it's recently become very apparent to me that DD is small. I haven't been too worried because she is meeting and exceeding milestones, is probably the happiest and easiest baby in the world, and has always seemed satisfied food-wise.
Today was her 6 month appointment and I knew going in that her growth *might* be an issue. I expected that she had probably gained 2-2.5 lbs since her 4 month check-up and would weigh around 15 or so lbs. When they weighed her she was only 13lbs 12 oz -- she had only gained 1 lb (actually, not even, 12oz) in 2 months. She had dropped from the 50% to around the 10% percentile. Her length and head circumference also dropped from 50% to around 10%. The pedi wasn't overly concerned because she is proportional and clearly not malnourished and doing well developmentally. He was surprised, however, that she still ate every 2.5 hrs (although she does sleep 10-12 hrs through the night), and that she should be able to go longer between feedings. He also suggested we try giving her 1-2 more oz per feeding to try and help her gain more. I EP, and right now she takes 4-4.5 oz 6-7 times a day which has seemed to satisfy her. I'm fine with that and more than willing to increase her oz per feed as long as it doesnt decrease her overall intake (she tends to hit a limit and be sort of done for the day -- or she'll just throw everything up -- that's happened too). He also side-eyed me when I said we were letting her feed herself non-pureed food (he's one of the old-school docs at the practice and I didn't even want to get into BLW with him).
I guess there's no real point to this post. I'm just feeling defeated -- like I'm the worst mom in the world. I'm also feeling judged (i think this is mostly in my head), and that it's my fault she isn't gaining weight as rapidly as she should. Here's hoping that she'll successfully increase her intake, and along with some solids, get back on track.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Feeling down after 6 month appt
10th%ile is not bad, it's just on the "smaller" side. If she drops off the chart, then you may need to be concerned, but you are doing all the right things! And who cares what your pedi thinks of BLW! Try to let it go... You don't have to please the doctors, you have to be confident in your choices and have a healthy baby.
Good luck with feeding her a little more. Be patient as she adjusts, keep an eye on her growth, and try not to let the mommy guilt get to you. Just like us mommas come in all shapes and sizes, babies do too!
May Siggy: Baby in disguise
Eta- corrections. Cracked screen is a pita.
My DS is over 20 lbs and he still eats every 2.5 hours (4-5 ozs per feeding); which is very similar to your LO. So I wouldn't worry about your feedings. Every baby just grows differently.
I understand why the Pedi's want to track babies growth, but I almost wish the whole numbers/percentile thing would go away. I have a baby on the opposite side of the spectrum and I feel like I get strange looks/judgments from others because he is so big and they think I am making him that way. The fact is, he is just a big baby and is healthy and happy.
If our babies are growing, reaching their milestones, and generally content, then who cares what their number is. You are a good mom!
BFP #2 - 2/13/13 - EDD 10/24/13 - born 10/29/13 - Kian Edward
BFP #3 - 7/16/15 - EDD 3/27/16 - born 3/23/16 - Liam James
Some babies are just little and slow gainers/growers. You are an awesome mother.
Trust your gut; you know your baby the best. Your baby is doing well, is meeting her milestones, and um...is as cute as can be. You're doing a great job.
Did they mention fortifying your milk at all? We have Elliott on 27cal formula and she's still small, but the dr wants her on the higher calories to keep growing how she has been. We were on 24cal until we took her off the oxygen. She had a period of time with no gain. I, of course, freaked out, but we upped her caloric intake and she's moving again. I guess if the dr isn't concerned they probably didn't, but just curious...
But if your doctor is using the CDC hart, it may have shown your baby at a higher percentage initially (because bf babies gain faster) and now may show your baby at a lower percentile (because bf babies slow down around now), so her true curve may just be somewhere in the middle.
All that is a long way of saying that 10th percentile alone wouldn't worry me at all. But I would probably ask for a weight check and growth check before the 9 month visit, just to assess at the midpoint, since the percentile fell so drastically in the last two months. That way, I would be able to see whether she stabilized at 10 percentile, or continued to decline (which would only then potentially be cause for concern).
This kinda reminds me of my guy. My little man didnt even go up a pound between 4mos and 6mos checkup and eats more often but as long as his growth is following the curve on the graphs, despite percentile, they're not worried.
As another mom of a tiny baby, I understand how you feel. It's hard not to worry about our LO's. My LO dropped off the chart completely, and we ran a slew of tests, but she's perfectly healthy and happy, and is gaining weight again, just slowly. As long as your LO is meeting milestones within the appropriate timeframe, and is happy and active, she's probably just a tiny baby. Try not to stress too much about it, but it's completely normal to be concerned.
Franco Paul born 6/4/15 at 39 weeks. Mila Francesca born 10/19/13 at 37 weeks. Both born via C-Section after 6 years of fertility treatments, disappointments and losses. Love them!!
If it makes you feel any better I have an awesome pedi and LO's weight has moved around a little, with 10th% at the 4 month appt and he's never been concerned at all. Always reminds me that she's happy, healthy, thriving and perfect - and just happens to be a tiny baby. Try to think of it that way and don't ever forget what a great job you're doing!
You're doing fantastic!
Which was to change nothing. She is tiny-oh well. Some babies are tiny. She doesnt look malnourished. She is reaching milestones. She never wakes up at night to eat and if she is hungry, she lets me know.
Dont worry, it's ok. And it sounds like she is GREAT. Do what you feel is necessary, if anything. She is YOUR child. The DR can saywwhatever he wants. At the end of the day its your choice as to what you will do.