Carrie, the tables and charts are a guide for most babies, but there are a
few babies who are thriving and taking plenty of milk, but whose weight
gains are very tiny. You report "a happy infant who is consuming a
sufficient amt of milk" and has good output. If the baby is up on his/her
milestones and is checked for general health, including thyroid issues, and
nothing untoward is found, it may be that this little person is one of those
exceptions.
One of my own babies, the one who had gained the most in the first few
months, gained only 3 oz (90 ml) over several months at the age of this
baby. The child health nurse was happy with her progress as she was healthy
and alert and all her other milestones were good. Several colleagues and
friends have also each had a baby who was a tiny gainer, very skinny, except
that these were in the first half-year and eventually started gaining around
ages 5 or 7 months. All mothers were very experienced breastfeeders and
some were breastfeeding counsellors.
It might be worth looking at these further factors:
- Has the mother been extra busy, with a lifestyle that means she is
constantly on the go and delaying feeds? BUT you have explained that this
Mum is demand feeding day and night. So that rules that one out.
- Has the baby's thyroid been checked?
- Has the mother started taking any medications (pharmaceutical or herbal)?
If this includes the oral contraceptive pill, even low dose, this may be a
factor. Some herbals may be oestrogen sources. Any oestrogen creams?
- Uses of artificial nipples - Not happening with this baby.
Congratulations to the mother.
- Any evidence of tongue tie, or a tight labial frenum preventing the top
lip from being flanged?
- If the baby is fussy after some feedings, if this related to reflux (in
which case, hold the baby for 20-30 mins before putting in the crib) or
hunger (in which case, put back to breast).
It may well be that this is one of those babies who don't fit the mould but
are otherwise healthy and doing well. Mums of babies with very tiny weight
gains need regular check-ups to confirm they are healthy.
Virginia
Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA
Brisbane, Qld, Australia
E: [log in to unmask]
On Sat, 1 Jan 2011 22:34:49 Carrie Wright wrote:
Looking for thoughts on slow infant weight gain, permission to post:
Mother has successfully bf 2 siblings. Oldest sibling suffered from severe
reflux affecting wt gain and hypothyroidism. Mother is currently tandem
nursing infant and toddler.
Infant is 7 months old and has consistently dropped weight percentiles since
birth. Today's wt check reveals an 8 oz wt gain over the past 2 months. Baby
has gone from the 3rd percentile (2 months ago) to off the charts. Baby's
output is great, pre and post weights indicate transfer of 5 oz on day 1, 3
oz on day 2 of assessment. Mom is nursing on demand, day and night. No
artificial nipples. Mom reports fussy infant after some nursings, but not
all. Baby is responsive and active during both days of assessment. Infant is
being treated for reflux. Rarely vomits. At 4 months of age had frenulum
clipped. At 5 months of age, head circumference had risen 20 percentage
points while wt had decreased. Extra fluid felt by dr at fontanel.
Hydrocephalus was suspected by pedi and CT was performed. CT came back
normal.
I see a happy infant who is consuming a sufficient amt of milk and losing
weight. Thoughts on further testing recs...I'm thinking metabolic
disorders/autoimmune issues...? PKUs were normal at birth.
Carrie Wright, IBCLC
Mom's Depot Lactation Resources
www.momsdepotonline.com
936-615 -9304
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