(10 1/2 months)

"Baby has not gained any weight over last month.  Weight 17-4. Baby has had
cold (stuffy nose) past 4-5 days"

Was baby in for sick visit?  Weight maps out between 10th and 25th
percentile [at 9 and 10 months].  Has the child had continual weight
dropping off the chart?  Is the child developmentally normal?

Are both weights correct?  If the child has had a cold her intake would have
dropped off for a few days,  she may have even lost a half pound if she was
eating poorly.  [how much should she gain in a month at this stage? Maybe a
half pound]

Did she just start to walk? [I've seen a slow down in weight gain when kids
suddenly "take off" with physical activity]


"  Does not take bottle or cup."        Doesn't matter.

" Breastfeeds every 2-3 hours for 5 minutes, 1 time at night. "   Sounds
fine. Babies are usually very efficient nursers at this stage - so they can
"go off and explore the world"

" Breastfeeds only one breast."  Doesn't matter - it's "demand brings
supply" - one breast is fine.

" Baby does not like baby food, but will eat  cheerios throughout day,
soups, pudding, yogurts, and finger foods."
Sounds fine, that's what babies are supposed to eat.


" MD  stated Mom should give milk or formula from bottle (that I definitely
don't
 understand) and baby food instead of table food."

Doc probably doesn't realize one breast ok, nursing times ok - - remember
hasn't been trained in lactation.  That's why talking about supplementing.
Baby food is either a "racket" or a "convenience" depending on your
lifestyle or perspective.  Good nutritious food is good nutritious food
regardless of whether it comes out of little glass jars or off your dinner
plate.  Potato chips, soda, etc. is not good nutritious food, but it doesn't
sound like that's what the child's been getting.

"  Mom wondered if giving a meat stick for babies ok. "  This sounds like a
choking hazard [even the ones in the baby food jars that look like tiny hot
dogs need to be cut up in long skinny strips not to be choking hazards].

"Baby eating better now since cold started. "   These things pass.

" My  only advice is to give baby what she wants to eat and drink."  Sounds
good to me.

" How concerned  should we be with stable weight? " Depends on the rest of
the picture.  If the child is meeting milestones and is otherwise happy and
healthy - I'd reassure and reweigh  in one month.

Gail Hertz, MD, IBCLC

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