My 6mth baby weighs less than when he was 4mths. Concerned?

[TMJM]

Hi everyone,
I'm very concerned about my sons weight and growth. I took him for his 6mth check-up and weigh in today and found out that he only weighs 6.4kg. At 4mths he weighed 6.450kg so he has lost 50g in 2mths. I'm quite concerned. I'm currently breastfeeding him and he just started solids two days ago. The health nurse said to breastfeed him more often during the next week. I have an app. to see her next week to see if he has put on weight.
His height is 64.2cm and head circum. is 42.2cm.
He was born at 8Ib 11oz and at 4mths was right on average with all his measurments, now he is in the 10 percent range.
Can this be normal?
Has anyone else gone through this problem?
Do you think I should wait untill next week to see health nurse or should I go to doctor before.
Thankyou so much for your help.
Concerned
Tina

[madvoice]

If it were my child I'd be straight in to see the GP or Paediatrician to find out if there is any underlying problem with lack of weight gain. I haven't been there myself. Your 6mo son is actually smaller than my 4mo daughter. Raleigh was born 8lb 4oz. At her 4 month checkup (needles) she weighed 7.089kg and was 66.5cm long with a 42.5cm head. I know all babies develop differently but lack of weight gain would have me concerned. I can see you're concerned and rightly so. I hope it is nothing serious. Have there been any problems with breastmilk supply? I completely dried up when Raleigh was 3 1/2 months old. It broke my heart but she is still a very happy and healthy baby on formula which I'm greatful for. Please keep us informed on how you go.

[drewid]

Hi

I would definitely be concerned with no weight gain over a 2 month period - especially at such a young age - this is when they are usually thriving!

Having said that, at least he hasn't lost a significant amount of weight - that is good! If he had dropped weight I would be HUGELY concerned. At least he is maintaining.

I would definitely go see your doctor to put your mind at ease at least. You dont' want to spend the next week worrying and scaring yourself and stressing out wondering. I would go and sort it out as soon as! Better to know for sure whether to be worried than to worry unnecessarily!

Good luck, take care

[TMJM]

Hi guys,
thank you for replies. Yea you're both right, I will see GP and get a refferal to see a pediatrition. I hope is just my milk supply or lack of it and not any problem that he might have. I'm quiet happy to put him on formula. The only problem will be that he doesn't take the bottle. Oh well, I will worry about that later.
Thanks again for advice

[madvoice]

I never took a bottle as an infant. The only way my mother could get me to drink water around the 6 month mark was through one of those sippy cups. It may be an option for you. Your GP/Paediatrician will put you in the right direction. I'm praying that all is ok.

[Chickadee]

Yes, I agree, go see your GP or a paed since you're concerned. Weight gain does slow down as babies get older, but any loss is worth following up.

I'd also suggest reweighing him. Were the scales used at his 6 month check the same ones used at his 4 month weighing? Sometimes there are differences between scales. Also, sometimes the scale doesn't zero itself properly before a weighing so it then gives a wrong result - there was another thread recently where a mum figured this must have happened.

Good luck.

[TMJM]

Hi guys,
i took my son back to the health nurse a week later after breast feeding him 2 hourly (nearly killed me!) and found that he had put on 100grams. I was rapt!
I also went to the doctor and she said the weight loss could have been from teething or from when he had a cold.
I'm going back to the health nurse in 2 weeks just to make sure he continues to put on weight.
Thanks
Tina

[TwoBlue]

Thats great news Tina

Hope to see you tommorrow at Melb mums meet and chat about it some more

[madvoice]

Its good to hear that he has put on some weight. There are many reasons why babies can lose it and I'm releived for you that things are looking up. Let us know how it goes on your next checkup :)

[Merlion]

Just a piece of advise. As long as he's healthy and happy and has heaps of wet and pooey nappies you don't have to worry. Jessica lost 100gm in two weeks but she's healthy and happy and has heaps of wet and pooey nappies. She's really long for her age. My health nurse told me to come back in a month. If you keep on going you will make yourself more worried. If he seems okay and happy don't worry too much. If you are too worried go and see his paed the health nurse can really worry ppl. My friends HN said her daughter was not gaining weight and was losing weight but was happy and had alot of wet and pooey nappies and made her have blood tests etc and the poor baby was okay and there was absolutely nothing wrong with her.

[TMJM]

Hey guys,
just to keep u updated on JM progress. We went to Health nurse today and he has put on 230grms in 2 weeks. So things are looking good. I'm so relieved that he continues to put on weight.
However, he is in the 10 percentile on the growth chart which is a little worrying. But as long as he keeps on putting on weight I should be happy hey!

[Chickadee]

That's excellent Tina! All those 2 hourly feedings must have done the trick.

Isn't it funny that as mums we worry so much and most of the time things turn out just fine. If only bub could tell us to stop being so silly :)

[lucyp]

A little while back - I posted a thread regarding my bubs head circumference and the fact it was on the low side of the "blue book chart" However thats not the point BUT ........A member called Millie wrote to me with some of the best advice regarding those charts and it has since come out that it is true! This advice could also be helpful to your situation :)



Remember that those books are only an average and to get an average of the population you have to have the biggest and smallest of the population. Additionally, they are now regarded as outdated and based on predominently formula fed babies who gain weight differently to breastfed babies and given that babies feeding is much more diverse that it was when the charts were done, the World Health Organisation is issuing new ones due out soon that reflect the current diversity of babies. People have to fit elsewhere on those charts and not on the average line. Additionally, if my husband and I were put on such chart we would not be on the average anyway. People have to sit somewhere so do not be too alarmed. As long as they are following a curve (does not have to be on the average line) of growth then that is all you need to worry about.

Try not to stress. Those charts (and some medical practioners interpretation of those charts) can put unnecessary worry on new parents. Get a double check with the paediatrician as suggested and have a good chat to him. Hopefully all will be well.

Hope everything works out :)