In a message dated 10/1/2004 3:01:13 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


>
> It has been my own observation through belonging to a few playgroups with
> my own son, as well as through consulting with lactating mothers in
> nutrition, that it is very common for a child (at least a breastfed child)
> to go through a period of several weeks where they do not gain weight, or
> gain only ounces, (later catching-up again).

Linda,
       Our pediatrician has been adamant that our baby gain 1 pound per
month. Having my handy Medela Baby Weigh scale at home I decided to see what was
happening over the course of a month. As suspected there was a 2 week period
where she would gain afew ounces, lose a few ounces, or stay the same. By the end
of the month she had gained over a pound, making up for everything towards
the end of the month. Had I taken her in for a weight check during those first 2
weeks, our doctor would have been throwing formula at me.
       My daughter (our 4th) is eight months old now. On average she has
gained 1 pound per month since she was about 2 months old. However, this gain does
not seem to be steady gain over a month's time but instead no gain, low gain,
or loss and than a big gaining spurt. This has been the pattern all along. It
was also the pattern of my other children. There has also been the common dip
on the charts between 4-6 months. I have argued that this is normal every
time but still there was great concern that baby "catch up." They always do and I
have never changed anything...breastfeeding on cue, sleeping with baby,
wearing baby, starting solids around 6 months and feeding as much as baby wants or
doesn't want.
       Sorry to be long winded but this issue has come up so much in my
personal and professional life that I have a lot to say on the matter. Heather

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