worried

[Meli]

Hi girls,

My son is 6 weeks and has been gaining weight ok so far (7 pounds 4 ounces at birth and 9 pounds 10 ounces now). He is exclusively breastfed. We bought a scale and have measured him daily, always around the same time of the day, before is bath. He has not gained one ounce for 4 days -- he has been "stuck" at 9 pounds 10 ounces for these 4 days. Should I be worried?? He has been nursing as usual... I don't know what is going on.

Thank you!!!

 

[LogansMama]

I would give it a few more days before you worry. Is he still wetting diapers like normal? Thats an important way to see if he's getting enough. If he is still wetting often then I wouldn't worry until a doctor tells you to! He may not gain at all for a bit, then suddenly gain a couple ounces.

Also - it could really vary if your scale is not very accurate. Put 6 nickels on top of the baby when he is on the scale and see if it goes up 1 ounce. (6 nickels weigh just over 1 ounce). If it doesn't, your scale is not sensitive enough to really tell if baby has only gained an ounce or so.

I think at that age, babies are supposed to gain about 1/2 an ounce a day. But like I said before, they may not gain at all for a couple days, then suddenly gain a couple at once.

 

[pianobex]

I have to say that weighing your baby every day is not the best idea (IMO), new mums (myself included) get far too hung up on weight gain! If your baby is happy and doing wet and dirty nappies then I wouldn't worry. To make yourself feel better i would take LO to the health visitor to get weighed. He may have a big growth spurt in a few days and put on loads! You are really just making a rod for your own back by weighing him every day! Its like if you are doing weight watchers as an adult, if you weigh yourself every day it makes you completely paranoid, you might not lose any for 4 days and then it all comes off in the next 2 days.

Please try not to worry, you will just make yourself stressed, if he is happy and content most of the time then thats great.

 

[Meli]

Thanks so much for the replies!! He is wetting diapers as normal, so that's a good sign. My scale is supposed to to be accurate to the 1/2 ounce, but I will try the nickel test just in case. Anyway, I think if he was hungry he would be crying more often, no?

I agree, weighing the baby everyday is a bad idea...