Under the Curve

firsttimemom143 · May 2014

So DD hasnt had a bowel movement in over a week. She is breastfed only. We just started oatmeal 2 days ago. She isnt fussy and her stomach is soft. Called pediatrician and brought her in to see him today. He said she is probably just using up all the nutrients and she should have one soon since she is eating oatmeal. He also said she is 11 ibs 8oz up from 9 Ibs 11 oz from 2 months ago. She is underweight according to the growth chart.

I feel horrible like I am starving my daughter or something. So now he wants us to give her the breastmilk, followed by formula and then oatmeal. I was hoping not to use formula but I need her to gain weight. The funny thing is, I think she looks fine...both my husband and I are petite and my mother said I looked just as scrawny when I was a baby lol.

Dont know if there is really a point to this post...just been thinking about it a lot..anyone else have "starving" babies

worleygirl · May 2014

DS was always tiny. At 2 we had to start buttering his food for extra calories and giving carnation instant breakfast with meals. Try not to stress. Some kids are just smaller.

SandFHasse · May 2014

My DD is 19 months and has ALWAYS been under weight according to the growth chart. Her doctor has never been worried about it because she sees DH and I. I was always under weight according to the chart.

km_md · May 2014

My DD gained less than a pound in about a month so we are keeping an eye on her. The doctor said that she is still within her growth trajectory but she has fallen within it. So we just need to watch her and make sure that she doesn't fall anymore. I know what you mean about starving your baby though, I feel bad even though she eats every 2 hours (or less than 2 hours).

karah4816 · May 2014

Mine were preemies but my son has caught up to his peers and my daughter is still far behind. She weighed 9lbs 5oz at 2 months and only 11lbs 2oz at 4 months. I always feel bad because not only is she so tiny but they're both in the skinny side. Their doctor is not concerned though

sarahlisa00 · May 2014

We are under the curve too but I don't think he looks it at all! He's 11.8 at 4 months born at 4.15lb. He hasn't been gaining and I'm meeting with a lactation consultant tomorrow for help because I don't get it. He's ebf and doubled his weight before 2 months but then slowed drastically after. I don't want to start formula either. Hoping it's not a supply issue.

cnctf · May 2014

today is dAy 4 that DD hasn't had a bowel movement either. I know they say it's normal, but I just want her to go!

are u planning to do anything or give her anything to "help" her along?

Roses87 · May 2014

I think I would get a second opinion before introducing formula (not that its a bad thing). Some people are naturally skinnier than others. If you want to EBF and your baby is still gaining weight and stays consistent, it seems like you should be able to. My Niece has always been at the 10th percentile for her weight, but she has consistently stayed there and has always gained weight. She is 3 and healthy. She was EBF till a year. My sil said that the doctor said he would only be concerned if she went a lower percentage than where she started.

What percentile is she at?

Carmlvsjose · May 2014

I think some doctors put too much emphasis on weight gain and are so quick to push formula. As long as she is consistently gaining weight, I wouldn't be too concerned. Just remember that babies won't starve themselves. I'm sure she is fine.

karah4816 · May 2014

sarahlisa00 said:
We are under the curve too but I don't think he looks it at all! He's 11.8 at 4 months born at 4.15lb. He hasn't been gaining and I'm meeting with a lactation consultant tomorrow for help because I don't get it. He's ebf and doubled his weight before 2 months but then slowed drastically after. I don't want to start formula either. Hoping it's not a supply issue.

That's almost exactly what's going on with my daughter, she was 4lbs 8 oz at birth. I know it's not a supply issue for her though because I'm bf her and her brother and he's gaining fine and they switch sides every time they eat so it's not like he has the good side.

MissSusieQ · May 2014

DD was born at 7lb 14 oz and dropped To 7lbs 1oz. She is 16 weeks today and weighed in at the nutrition clinic at 10lb 4.2oz. It has been a long hard road for us to gain weight. Our pediatrician was pushing formula forever and i pushed back. I was making plenty of milk too. She finally referred me to the children's hospital nutrition clinic. I love it. Delaney is in the 1% curve but us happy and healthy. About a month ago I did start fortifying the supplanted breast milk with formula. The nutrition physician gave me the option to fortify my supplemented breast milk to up the calories I'm some. It's a very small amount of formula and mixed with my milk. It was easier to fortify then supplement completely with formula. If your interested it's one teaspoon of gerber gental to 75mls breast milk. It has to be used within 24hrs of mixing though.

SarahA918 · May 2014

You should probably speak to your own doctor or your own nutritionist before fortifying your baby's milk!!

MrsGraham06 · May 2014

I would maybe get a 2nd opinion. My DD1 was under the US growth curve forever, but was on the World Health Organization's chart on the very low end. Since her growth followed the shape of the curve, we just kept an eye on things. After her 1st birthday, we started adding cheese to everything and giving her pediasure every day. We got to quit monthly visits and pediasure at 2.

firsttimemom143 · May 2014

Thanks everyone! I feel a bit better. As far as her pooping...we tried everything and guess what..she JUST went! HUGE amount! I feel better lol!

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