poor weight gain

[jacksheretoo]

hi our b/f son who is now just over 4 monthes old has been only putting on between 70-90 grams per week. he is allert content most of the time and developing on time. he is 64 cms long. every one who we see says he is gorgeous and pettite not "boof headed"!our second child also grew at this pace(10 years ago) and cyh nurse said comp feed her..we did and she got quite chubby and developed bad ecxma,she now only drinks goats milk,our first daughter grew well and was on the line with her growth! .is it normal for there to be such a different growth pattern in a family?is it my age? or just the way it should be?thankyou jac

[Pinky McKay]

Dear Jac -After two fat baby boys, I too had a 'poor weight gain' written in one of my babies books. It's very demoralising isnt it?

Sorry, but I can't make a 'diagnosis' regarding your baby's growth sight unseen - there are lots of factors that indicate thriving. You are an experienced mum and you know your baby best - consider though, how big are you and your partner? You dont get rats from mice! Could your leaner babies be following afamily pattern? ( not necessarily the same pattern as your first child) .Ask your parents if they still have your baby books -sometimes this can be enlightening.

How is your baby feeding? Are you following a fairly strict schedule? trying to stretch feeds between sleeps? or are you feeding according to hunger cues? Remember, there are no calories in fingers or dummies, so if your baby is sucking on these it would be sensible to offer the breast instead - a few extra breastfeeds a day would be much wiser than comp feeding which seems to have caused allergies in your other child. Skin to skin contact and extra feeds will boost your breastfeeding hormones within aday or two if low supply seems to be an issue.

Otherwise, if you have "ticked all the boxes" this may just be your baby's natural growth pattern - if he is contented and active, relax and enjoy. If you are worried, see a lactation consultant who can look at your baby, watch him feed and hear your whole story by asking appropriate questions and suggesting relevant solutions if something seems to be amiss - please dont blame your age, that is highly unlikely to affect your breastfeeding ability ( my 'bonus baby' was a fatty - it was my middle child who was petite - she still is, and gorgeous/ bright etc!)

Pinky