Not growing enough :(

[bluebell]

I got Jay weighed at clinic and he's only 12pounds 2oz at 15 weeks. I've been exclusively breastfeeding him since day one. It took quite a while and a lot of determination for the breastfeeding to be successful (or so I thought) but now I'm worried that it's not enough to satisfy him

Jay's always been on the smaller side - was 7pounds 15oz when he was born and up until Xmas was following the 25th centile, but he's now down to 9 But he never seems to be overly hungry and seems happy most of the time.

Anyone had a similar experience and have any advice?

I'm not sure whether to start feeding him formula as well as bf as I'm planning on stopping breastfeeding at 6 months or so. I'll get him weighed again in a week and if there's no improvement I'll have to re-think the bf

xx

 

[Poloma]

Aww dont worry
You have said he is happy, content and not loosing weight which is a good thing.
My Daughter was 7lb 2oz at birth and gained weight slowly (also bf) she always seemed so tiny compared to others, esp her big bro who was 9lb 8oz at birth! and always followed the 98th cantile
She followed the 25th centile for a while then slowed down to the 9th. But tbh she (like your lo) fed well and was active and happy so I tried to relax and not focus too much on the whole weight thing.
I just had a look at her red book and at 13 weeks she was 12lb 4oz, so similar to your lo.
She will be turning 2 on the 26th of this month and is a little monster now!

All children are different hun, dont feel pressured into giving up bf (would be such a shame as you have done so well)

 

[Serene123]

Aslong as your LO is happy and content don't worry x

 

[bex]

I've had no experience of this, i'm the opposite end of the scale, Niamh is tube fed and i feel like i'm force feeding her as she is unable to tell me when she's full! I'm so worried about her getting too big.

But my advice would be to get jay weighed weekly for a few weeks so that you get a good idea of his weight gain, i wouldn't switch to formula just yet. Can you talk to your health visitor about it?

 

[bluebell]

But my advice would be to get jay weighed weekly for a few weeks so that you get a good idea of his weight gain, i wouldn't switch to formula just yet. Can you talk to your health visitor about it?

I'm going in to clinic again this week and will ask the HV for her advice - I was in a rush when I went last week so didn't get a chance to talk through the options with her.



xx

 

[Shifter]

It sounds like your LO is happy and healthy. If the HV hasn't expressed concern yet then you should try to relax and enjoy bfing. All babies are different and these charts are not really that great a reflection on how an individual baby is doing.

 

[PeanutBean]

Like the others have said, I wouldn't worry about it. Byron's weight is fluctuating around the 9th and 25th. But the charts aren't great, they are based on formula fed babies for a start and BF babies don't gain weight the same way. Maybe next time there will have been a big growth spurt and you'll find your baby is back up to the 25th or higher.

 

[Jemima]

Aww dont worry
You have said he is happy, content and not loosing weight which is a good thing.
My Daughter was 7lb 2oz at birth and gained weight slowly (also bf) she always seemed so tiny compared to others, esp her big bro who was 9lb 8oz at birth! and always followed the 98th cantile
She followed the 25th centile for a while then slowed down to the 9th. But tbh she (like your lo) fed well and was active and happy so I tried to relax and not focus too much on the whole weight thing.
I just had a look at her red book and at 13 weeks she was 12lb 4oz, so similar to your lo.
She will be turning 2 on the 26th of this month and is a little monster now!

All children are different hun, dont feel pressured into giving up bf (would be such a shame as you have done so well)

Hi Bluebell. I think what Poloma has said is right. If he seems happy and is not loosing massive amounts then you are obviously doing something right. And breastfed babies do not follow the same trends as FF ones. x x