HELP! My 12 week old only weighs 9.5lbs...

[sevenofnine]

12 weeks old and only 9.5lbs. 23 inches long.

We've been weighing her on an accurate shipping scale since I've been a little on edge about her poor weight gain. I think I am going to make a doctor appointment. I don't know what to do... she's exclusively breastfed, eats 6-7 times per day, has 3-4 poopy diapers and 5-6 wet diapers per day.

She's active and happy... I just don't know why she won't gain. She is smaller than any of the babies I've seen people worrying about for weight gain... and so that is worrying me even more!!

I know the only answer they will give is to supplement, and I really don't want to, but I am not sure what else to do seeing as she is not gaining on breastmilk?

I know I'm on here trying to reassure others that their babies weight gain is fine, so I feel like a hypocrite, but I haven't seen a smaller baby then her... like... ever.

She was born at 40+3 weighing 6.6lbs, lowest weight was 5.14lbs.

She is hardly even on the percentile chart...

Here she is newborn vs 8 weeks vs 11.5 weeks:



I guess I am just wondering what your opinions are on my options. I know that the answer they will give me will be to switch to formula. So my options are switch to formula and hope she gains better on it, or stay breastfeeding and risk not providing her with what she needs, seeing as she isn't gaining on it.

I'M SO LOST!

 

[greenbeans12]

First off, is your pediatrician worried? Is she developmentally behind? Does she have gas, acid reflux, or spit up a lot? Does she have diarrhea often or is she ever constipated?

You have to really dissect this to try and find the proper solution. To me it honestly just sounds as if she is small by nature, which is something you can not really change. If she is eating well, pooing/peeing normally, has hit all of her milestones, and is happy then all of it leads me to she is healthy.

I understand your concern though.

 

[Peggy O]

Lily is 15 weeks old and weighs 10.2...no one seems worried in our case.
Edit~ she was born 6.4 and went down to 5.9 by discharge. She is fine and in like the 5th percentile for weight last time we went, (I am not sure of her weight then...just remember the 5%) but very LONG, like 60th for length or something. I am not even sure how the percentiles work though. I know on the preemie chart she does a little better. She was born at 36w.

I see other 3 month+ olds and they seem HUGE! She is just healthy and little.

 

[sevenofnine]

First off, is your pediatrician worried? Is she developmentally behind? Does she have gas, acid reflux, or spit up a lot? Does she have diarrhea often or is she ever constipated?

You have to really dissect this to try and find the proper solution. To me it honestly just sounds as if she is small by nature, which is something you can not really change. If she is eating well, pooing/peeing normally, has hit all of her milestones, and is happy then all of it leads me to she is healthy.

I understand your concern though.

No spit up, reflux, gas, or diarrhea. I doubt she's constipated. I mean sometimes she grunts while going poo but it always comes out, and she goes 3 times a day generally.

I guess I'm not sure if she's behind developmentally? She rolls over, grabs toys, squeals and babbles all day long. She's smiley and happy most of the time. She blows bubbles and holds her head very steady, and when she is on her tummy she can do the little push ups. I honestly don't know what is considered behind and what isn't, so I'm sorry for the laundry list!

Are there other things she should be doing?

Her last appointment was at 8 weeks, and she was 8.7lbs then. Her pediatrician didn't say a word. Her next appointment isn't until 4 months, so I would have to make an appointment if I was concerned.

 

[Hangin_On_AGS]

Oh Hun, I notice a difference between her last two pictures! Remember that EBF babies don't normally put on the same weight that FF babies do. My niece isn't on the charts at all she has her own but it's because my sister is small and she is taking after her mom. Don't worry about where she is on the charts compared to other children! I know it's hard not to compare, but there is no point, and Most charts that doctors use are now for FF not EBF babies. As long as she is making consistent progress I wouldn't worry. I agree with PP as long as she is pooping peeing and hitting milestones I wouldn't worry...

Plus think of it this way She is very close to doubling her lowest weight, I believe your on the right path

Sounds like she's developmentally right on!

 

[Peggy O]

Developmentally she sounds like she is doing great! L doesn't grab toys or roll without GREAT protest yet at 15....corrected age 11.

 

[greenbeans12]

First off, is your pediatrician worried? Is she developmentally behind? Does she have gas, acid reflux, or spit up a lot? Does she have diarrhea often or is she ever constipated?

You have to really dissect this to try and find the proper solution. To me it honestly just sounds as if she is small by nature, which is something you can not really change. If she is eating well, pooing/peeing normally, has hit all of her milestones, and is happy then all of it leads me to she is healthy.

I understand your concern though.

No spit up, reflux, gas, or diarrhea. I doubt she's constipated. I mean sometimes she grunts while going poo but it always comes out, and she goes 3 times a day generally.

I guess I'm not sure if she's behind developmentally? She rolls over, grabs toys, squeals and babbles all day long. She's smiley and happy most of the time. She blows bubbles and holds her head very steady, and when she is on her tummy she can do the little push ups. I honestly don't know what is considered behind and what isn't, so I'm sorry for the laundry list!

Are there other things she should be doing?

Her last appointment was at 8 weeks, and she was 8.7lbs then. Her pediatrician didn't say a word. Her next appointment isn't until 4 months, so I would have to make an appointment if I was concerned.

She is right on track! Call her pediatrician and book an appointment to discuss options and to speak about her weight. See what the pediatrician has to say and if she is concerned at all.

To me it sounds like your LO is just small.

 

[Amy_T]

My middle daughter was just like that, don't worry! My youngest (who is 5 weeks) is bigger than my middle one was at 3 months! They're all different and as long as she isn't losing weight, is doing plenty of wet and dirty nappies I'm sure she's fine. Make the most of these tiny baby days

 

[randomrach]

Oh, she is adorable.

Babies come in all shapes and sizes - mine weighed that at 1 week your doctor/HV probably knows your LO by now and I'm sure would have said something at weigh in if they were really worried but if you want some advise you can always go and talk to them, that's what they're there for

ETA it may be worth talking to your pediatrician about combi feeding but maybe not give up completely, I actually missed it when I stopped and would really like to try a bit harder if I have another LO.

 

[Stelly]

Mines 17 weeks and just hit 9lb 1oz! I think you commented on my thread about weight gain . Don't stress too much. I'm trying to squeeze in one more feed a day for my LO to get his weight gain 'acceptable' for his doctor. If you are worried may be worth a shot for you to try? She sounds like she is doing wonderfully though!

 

[Twister]

Honestly it doesn't seem like there's much cause for concern imo. I mean she's peeing and pooping so she's obviously getting enough. And it doesn't look like she's behind developmentally. Sounds like she's just small and her weight gain is evening off.

No harm in booking an appointment though

 

[aliss]

She's adorable! My good friend (in real life), her daughter was the same as yours, she is such a petitite thing and at 18 months, her and Philippe (6 months) are the same size (P is exceptionally large). They are both perfectly happy and healthy, nature just makes them in different sizes that's all.

Believe me, there are advantages, particularly when it comes to carseats, you can keep her safer for longer. Try to look at the positives, because we can't change their size, only appreciate the good parts right?

 

[sevenofnine]

First off, is your pediatrician worried? Is she developmentally behind? Does she have gas, acid reflux, or spit up a lot? Does she have diarrhea often or is she ever constipated?

You have to really dissect this to try and find the proper solution. To me it honestly just sounds as if she is small by nature, which is something you can not really change. If she is eating well, pooing/peeing normally, has hit all of her milestones, and is happy then all of it leads me to she is healthy.

I understand your concern though.

No spit up, reflux, gas, or diarrhea. I doubt she's constipated. I mean sometimes she grunts while going poo but it always comes out, and she goes 3 times a day generally.

I guess I'm not sure if she's behind developmentally? She rolls over, grabs toys, squeals and babbles all day long. She's smiley and happy most of the time. She blows bubbles and holds her head very steady, and when she is on her tummy she can do the little push ups. I honestly don't know what is considered behind and what isn't, so I'm sorry for the laundry list!

Are there other things she should be doing?

Her last appointment was at 8 weeks, and she was 8.7lbs then. Her pediatrician didn't say a word. Her next appointment isn't until 4 months, so I would have to make an appointment if I was concerned.

She is right on track! Call her pediatrician and book an appointment to discuss options and to speak about her weight. See what the pediatrician has to say and if she is concerned at all.

To me it sounds like your LO is just small.

I am going to call and speak to a nurse to see what they say! If they're worried, I'll have them book me an appointment. I'd rather be safe than sorry, but at least I'm sure it's nothing serious since she's on track with everything else.

My middle daughter was just like that, don't worry! My youngest (who is 5 weeks) is bigger than my middle one was at 3 months! They're all different and as long as she isn't losing weight, is doing plenty of wet and dirty nappies I'm sure she's fine. Make the most of these tiny baby days

It doesn't help that I haven't been around babies too much in my life, and so the two other babies in my family (my niece and nephew) were HUGE! She's ALMOST as big as my nephew was when he was born!

Oh, she is adorable.

Babies come in all shapes and sizes - mine weighed that at 1 week your doctor/HV probably knows your LO by now and I'm sure would have said something at weigh in if they were really worried but if you want some advise you can always go and talk to them, that's what they're there for

ETA it may be worth talking to your pediatrician about combi feeding but maybe not give up completely, I actually missed it when I stopped and would really like to try a bit harder if I have another LO.

What is combi feeding?

Mines 17 weeks and just hit 9lb 1oz! I think you commented on my thread about weight gain . Don't stress too much. I'm trying to squeeze in one more feed a day for my LO to get his weight gain 'acceptable' for his doctor. If you are worried may be worth a shot for you to try? She sounds like she is doing wonderfully though!

I feel like a hypocrite for making this thread...

I'm a bit calmer today, and good idea! I'm sure she won't mind me having her eat more often, seeing as I'm her human pacifier if I let her...

Honestly it doesn't seem like there's much cause for concern imo. I mean she's peeing and pooping so she's obviously getting enough. And it doesn't look like she's behind developmentally. Sounds like she's just small and her weight gain is evening off.

No harm in booking an appointment though

That's what I keep trying to tell myself. I actually talked to a woman whose son was always in the 2nd percentile. They tried formula but he gained the same, so she went right back to BF'ing. He's 5 now and is still tall and slim, even though he eats like a horse.

She's adorable! My good friend (in real life), her daughter was the same as yours, she is such a petitite thing and at 18 months, her and Philippe (6 months) are the same size (P is exceptionally large). They are both perfectly happy and healthy, nature just makes them in different sizes that's all.

Believe me, there are advantages, particularly when it comes to carseats, you can keep her safer for longer. Try to look at the positives, because we can't change their size, only appreciate the good parts right?

True... gotta look at the positives!

 

[sevenofnine]

I called and talked to a nurse. She said based on all the info, she just sounds like a tiny girl. She is going to talk to a doctor to get his opinion, and then call me back.

Thank you everyone for your help! I know I'm probably worrying over nothing, but that's part of my job, right???

 

[Monalissa]

My DD is a slow gainer even now that she's getting mostly formula (today was her last bottle of BM ). I remember when we went to have her tongue/lip ties clipped at 7 weeks. The Pediatric ENT said she was very tiny for her age and that she was working very hard for very little milk. At that time we were supplementing 3-4 ounces per day due to my low supply. I felt horrible - but now looking back I know this is normal for my DD. She's tall and slim like her mama once was. LOL Formula is definitely not the answer!

 

[sevenofnine]

The nurse finally called me back and said after talking with her pediatrician, he thinks she's doing just fine. She has her next appointment in the beginning of June, so we can see how she's doing then.

But until then, since she's happy and content, they think she's doing great. Just tiny! The nurse told me that I shouldn't compare her to other babies. I know this, it's just hard not to!

I told the nurse how I tried to add in an extra feeding the past couple days, and she just laid there smiling at me and wouldn't latch on. So I'm pretty sure she's not hungry...

 

[cococobain]

I guess I'm not sure if she's behind developmentally? She rolls over, grabs toys, squeals and babbles all day long. She's smiley and happy most of the time. She blows bubbles and holds her head very steady, and when she is on her tummy she can do the little push ups. I honestly don't know what is considered behind and what isn't, so I'm sorry for the laundry list!

My LO only just started doing this at 4 months, so your LO definitely isn't behind!

My LO is a little baby too in comparison to other babies her age, the doctors have never had anything to say about it. A week or so ago she hit a monster growth spurt and there is a noticeable difference, but she still fits in some of her 0-3 months so... I wouldn't worry!

PS- Your baby is a cutie. I AWW'd at her newborn picture - so squishy !

 

[Seity]

She sounds perfect to me. Nothing to be concerned about.
As a contrast:
Gabriel was diagnosed with failure to thrive because I wasn't producing enough breast milk. He was only 8lb9oz at 3months old! He was eating all the time, fussy at the breast, never slept well, and was getting green stool because he wasn't getting enough milk. You can tell when a baby isn't gaining. I started supplementing with formula and he was happier instantly and gained 1lb in a week. He had no fat rolls or creases and you could see his ribs.

 

[Warby]

I am glad that you were able to get some reassurance from your nurse. It does just sound like she is a petite, healthy and happy girl.

Babies sometimes focus growth one way. My newest little guy, for instance, is a glutton and has packed on the pounds but hasn't grown much longer. At his 3 month appointment he was at the 50th percentile for weight and the 5th for length. My teapot baby- short and stout.

Your sweet girl is going to be just fine!

 

[sevenofnine]

I am glad that you were able to get some reassurance from your nurse. It does just sound like she is a petite, healthy and happy girl.

Babies sometimes focus growth one way. My newest little guy, for instance, is a glutton and has packed on the pounds but hasn't grown much longer. At his 3 month appointment he was at the 50th percentile for weight and the 5th for length. My teapot baby- short and stout.

Your sweet girl is going to be just fine!

Awwww teapot baby, that's so cute!!