Just can't gain enough weight.

Callan had his 8 week check up and injections today. He screamed bloody murder bless him. He gained weight but not as much as he should, so now at 8 weeks he is 9lbs 6oz. When he was born he was above the 50%tile, two weeks ago he was at the 9th now he is below the 9th. I am so frustrated he eats all day seriously if he is awake he eats every 45mins to an hour. During the day if he is asleep, which is only if we go out and he falls asleep in his car seat, then I wake him at 3 hours. I know he sleeps at night but if he was hungry surely he would wake up. I was really hoping after this appt we could start cutting down his 2 formula top ups but instead have been told to increase them. Starting to think I was just not meant to breastfeed. Everyone also commenting on how tiny he is doesn't help either.

:openarms: I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I know you were really hoping that clipping his tounge tie would help him gain weight faster. You've being doing a great job with him, and just ignore the people commenting on his size - thats what I do all the time.

I'm so sorry!! How much weight did he gain? I know you mentioned percentages, but I think if they are gaining 4-5 ounces a week at this point that is still considered ok... especially if he is sleeping well and seems mostly content. And it is normal to feed that much during the day. My first dd who gained weight FAST ate constantly for the first 6 months.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pollo_la

I'm so sorry!! How much weight did he gain? I know you mentioned percentages, but I think if they are gaining 4-5 ounces a week at this point that is still considered ok... especially if he is sleeping well and seems mostly content. And it is normal to feed that much during the day. My first dd who gained weight FAST ate constantly for the first 6 months.

---

THIS!!! Maybe he's just going to be a smaller baby. Heck Alli already weighs just 4 lbs less than my 3rd DS and 1st DD did at ONE YR OLD.......With Cheyann I had to deal with WIC threatening to "diagnose" her "failure to Thrive"......truth is she was just a smaller baby/ toddler now at 8 yrs old she is average. And Cole went from being OVER 75% from birth through a yr to now at 4 yrs old being below the 25th% But he's a healthy growing boy as well

I think some Drs put to much emphasis on percentages and averages. Not all babies/children are the same.

:bigarmhug:

I know how frustrating weight gain can be. I had an awful time with my DD gaining weight. She fell to 23% weight loss from birth weight and we struggled from there to gain. At 3.5, she's very petite.. she's just a small girl. Don't feel that you're doing anything wrong. Just remember that it's okay to supplement, and that formula is healthy. But don't stop breastfeeding if you don't want to!

Also, I have heard of people who have supplemented and their child continued to be small... just because that's the way God made them, petite! And of course, the more you supplement the more your supply will go down. SO... just use your mommy instinct on this one. If you feel that he is still hungry then go ahead and supplement, but if you feel that he is fine, just not a fast one to gain, then continue on with what you are doing.

Thanks guys.
Weight wise he was 8lb 10oz at birth
Dropped to 7lb 13oz at 4 days
at 3 1/2 weeks finally got back to 8lb 10 1/2oz
then at 5weeks back down to 8lb 9 1/2oz
6 weeks 8lb 15 1/2oz
then today at 8weeks 9lb 6oz
So he only gained 7 1/2oz in two weeks

I feed him whenever he seems hungry and sometimes even when he doesn't. If he cries and I know it is not a diaper issue then I feed him, pretty much. When he has his supplement bottles he always cries when they are done, regardless of if it is breast milk or formula and of how much is in it. I have been feeding from one side, then giving him the bottle then the other side. Today his afternoon bottle doubled in size from what he usually has and he still cried when it was gone.

Other than that he is a pretty content baby, has lots of periods of playing, smiling and talking during the day. I just had it in my head that when I went in today we would be good and within a week or two we would be breastfeeding exclusively, so be told that will probably never happen now. Well it didn't make for a good afternoon :(

My Abby Kate only gained 1lb or less every month the entire first year of her life. She had us worried, but I knew she was getting enough b/c I was pumping exclusively. He may just be a little guy. Hang in there!!!!!

I'm so sorry, it must be hard to have a slow gainer. But it sounds like he's pretty content and to me that says it's not that he's not getting enough breast milk, but that is just the way he is. Heck Caleb never seems satisfied and he's a chunk! Don't be so sure you wont ever BF exclusively. It could definitely still happen!

*lurker*

I'm a November girl, but I wanted to offer encouragement.

I've got physiological issues that prevent exclusive breastfeeding. Its been really, really difficult. However, just because our every feeding session ends with a bottle doesn't mean I'm not a breastfeeding Mom. Every drop of milk you give your little guy is tailor-made for his body.

Also, I'm convinced that a baby's size before 6-8 months has no bearing on their adult size. One of my brother's didn't regain his birth weight of 6 lbs, 9 oz until he was 9 weeks old. He's now 6'3'' with a size 15 shoe - at age 13.

Good luck and hugs!