underweight 4 month old(growth charts)

[mich80]

I weighed my son bliar who is nearly 4 months old and according to the growth charts he is underweight, quite a bit below the average.
I have tried giving him extra feeds breast and formula milk, he has also dropped a night feed because he sleeps through(12hrs a night). He was 3 weeks early and a little underweight when he was born, he's above the average for height,im not sure if its because he has dropped a night feed , if its the quality of my milk or that hes very long for his age?
does anyone have the same problem or any suggestions to increase weight gain?

[Elfin]

Hi

I have small babies as well, always down the bottom of the chart for weight. I think it probably just comes downs to genetics. If you are concerned see your child health nurse but generally if your bub is growing and gaining weight not going backwards I wouldn't be too concern. I found mine gained a bit more weight when they started solids but weight gain slows down anyway when they are toddlers. So long as your child is growing, alert and generally healthy, I wouldn't be too worried. Babies just like adults come in all different shapes and sizes.

[mamafelix]

It's also worth knowing that those growth charts are quite out of date (1950's I think?) and based on solely formula fed babies. Breast fed babies follow a different curve (if you talk to your child health nurse she'll be able to reassure you on this) and at some points will appear to be below average on the old charts.
If your bub seems healthy, and is gaining weight over time, I probably wouldn't worry too much- they all grow differently.
Of course, if you're worried, have a chat with your health practitioner- but I wouldn't base your fears on the charts, more on your own sense of how your bub is going.

[Graeme]

Hi

Our two girls are way down the bottom of the chart. Jasmine is under the bottom line. We went to see a paediatrician who said that if she basically kept growing and didn't drop off too much more, and she was happy and well, we should just relax. Our second daughter is also pretty light (we meet babies who at 7 months old weigh about as much as she does at 17 months).

The advantage is they are much lighter to carry and we don't do our backs in :)

I agree with the others that if you are worried, have a chat to your child health nurse or doctor.

Good luck.
Graeme

[Baby Girl]

I have never looked at a growth chart yet I know my daughter would be on the low end of the rating for her age. She is half vietnamese (a smaller build of people) and I am sure the growth charts don't take that into account.

However, she eats, she drinks, she plays, she has a never ending energy source coming from somewhere!!

I have gotten comments from people (strangers and friends) about how "small" she is. All I say to them is does her skin look healthy, do her eyes shine and is she responsive and interactive? Most people just look at me like I am crazy but it is true. She has reached all her milestones at the right ages (if not earlier) and has always been happy and full of energy.

As Easterlily said, we all come in different shapes and sizes. If your bub is happy and gaining weight then you have nothing to worry about.

[LoniVV]

Our son is just 6kg at 5+ months, but is a long baby and has been teething since he was 3.5 months. So he has had days where feeding is of little interest or he is in too much pain.

Advice I have received from our GP is that he looks healthy and has been gaining weight gradually since birth, he does not cry after his feeds and generally sleeps well, so he must be receiving adquate nutrition. Although she did say that we could start introducing solids if we were concerned but the charts are out of date and based on solely formula fed babies. Also that breastfed babies are long and lean and gain weight differently to bottlefed babies.

Leonie and Dominic (2-12-2004)

[Milly]

It's also worth knowing that those growth charts are quite out of date (1950's I think?) and based on solely formula fed babies. Breast fed babies follow a different curve (if you talk to your child health nurse she'll be able to reassure you on this) and at some points will appear to be below average on the old charts.
If your bub seems healthy, and is gaining weight over time, I probably wouldn't worry too much- they all grow differently.
Of course, if you're worried, have a chat with your health practitioner- but I wouldn't base your fears on the charts, more on your own sense of how your bub is going.

Yes! I was just about to post this info too and noticed that Mamafelix has already done so. Yes, the charts are quite out of date and are based on predominently formula fed babies. Breastfed babies gain weight differently to formula fed babies. The signs of a baby thriving are really that they are hitting their milestones and are bright and alert. Weight gain is secondary to that. The World Health Organisation have been reviewing the Growth Charts in the US, UK and Australia (and other countries that have the same charts) and will be bringing out the new charts around October 2005. If in doubt contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association or your local ABA Counsellor. The link to the ABA is http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Remember too, that your baby's build is related to their genes too. If you are a slight build and or your husband is, it is more that likely that your baby will be too. Also, in order to get any average, the largest and smallest people of the population are averaged out. My baby sits in the 25th percentile with most things but then again, if my DH and I were put on a chart so would we. The correct terminolgy your Child Health Nurse or GP should be using is "Your baby sits on say the 10th percentile" rather than saying "Your baby sits below the average". The latter is quiet incorrect wording to tell parents and leads to unnessary anxiety.

I would not stress too much. Providing that they are hitting mielstones and are bright and alert and their nappy outputs are good and they are eating well, then that is the important thing.

[shae-matilda'smum]

I wouldn't worry about the growth chart too much. Different babies go through growth rates at different times. When my daughter was born she was off the chart 4.15kg. But she then lost a lot of weight droping to 3.6 kg below average at 5 weeks. The clinic sister was never worried she said all babies grow at a different rate. Some big babies lose weight, some small babies stay small some big babies stay big. Now at 8 months she is average 8kg. Everyone s different just as long as you think they are progressing at a good rate. That is what counts. But if you ever has serious concerns get it checked out mum's know best.

Shae