How to get baby to gain weight

sheriwx · #1 July 14th, 2011, 03:37 PM

Any ideas on how to get a baby to gain weight? My little one is genetically predisposed to being tiny (like, under the charts tiny), but she needs to gain some weight. Does anyone have ideas?

#2 July 14th, 2011, 04:18 PM

How much does she weigh?? Have you talked to your pediatrician about her weight? If they pedi isnt concerned I wouldnt be trying to make her gain weight especially if she is genetically small. My pedi got concerned about weight and had me do a high calorie formula, and after a few months if she gained a certain amount he was happy and we could stop it. It was basically to see if she is able to gain since she was at the same weight for a long time. She is now in the 10% which is still little but she is perfectly fine and healthy.

hsmaldo · #3 July 15th, 2011, 10:01 AM

my first dd was always around or below the 3rd percentile for weight, but she was growing on her own curve, so the pedi wasn't concerned.

Like Shannon said, if the pedi isn't concerned, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I would just focus on healthy foods and offer them frequently. Use whole milk products (yogurt, cheese, etc.) Other than that I really don't have any ideas.

sethsmum · #4 July 17th, 2011, 05:59 AM

Caspar has always been tiny, and its not through lack of eating, thats just the way he is. As long as the doctor isn't worried, I wouldn't be worried

Mom-Mom · #5 July 17th, 2011, 09:44 AM

I wouldnt worry about it either. But you obviously are or you wouldnt have asked....so, have you tried Pediasure? I worried too with my first bc she would often sleep through one meal a day, sometimes lunch sometimes dinner. So i gave her pediasure. Then our pedi told me not to bc that is usually recommended by them for under-nourished kids or kids having trouble gaining weight. So i stopped bc she was in the 90th percentile, i just was worried about her skipping meals. Maybe give pediasure a try for a while? See if that helps. The other advice is good too, but be careful with cheese as too much can cause constipation. Also maybe up the protein a little, my cousin up's his protein when he wants to gain weight for wrestling....

sheriwx · #6 July 18th, 2011, 08:18 AM

She was at 16lb 2 oz at 6 months, and at her 12 month visit 16lb 6 oz.

She stayed in the 50th percentile until 6 months when she dropped down off the charts.

Genetically, her father has always been VERY skinny (like, looked malnourished) and my family has always been quite skinny as well. Her older sister followed this same growth pattern, dropping from the 75th percentile in weight down to the 10th at about 6 months old. Then she has maintained the 10th percentile since.

Besides the genetics, she started crawling about that time, and is about to walk, has a very picky appetite, and a will of iron. I've been trying to wean her for about a month and she has refused sippies and bottles for that purpose.

When we went to her visit and found out she was just 16lb6oz last week, I almost completely cut off the breastfeeding and now she seems to be taking the sippy much better. It was almost as though she was holding out for the breastfeeding, even though I wasn't making enough milk, if that makes any sense.

Developmentally she is right on target, she LOOKS healthy, she acts healthy, her blood levels are healthy. I believe if I follow her around constantly offering high protein/fat nutrient rich foods she will gain weight. I just need more ideas, most of mine are milk based products (whole milk, carnation instant breakfast, squeaky cheese, whole milk yogurt) and I want her intake to be more well rounded than that. So if anyone has any ideas, please share!

AmandaEliz · #7 July 18th, 2011, 03:31 PM

I would say healthy fats & healthy carbs. I'm thinking things like as much avacado as your LO can eat, sweet potatoes, yams, beans of all kinds, whole milk yogurt (like Yo Baby) & I would probably keep her on formula a bit longer if she's on that. Maybe just out of a sippy instead of a bottle. Hmm, that's all I can think of right now. I will add if anything comes to me...

ElizabethS · #8 July 18th, 2011, 07:12 PM

My pediatrician suggested a teaspon of vegetable oil on every meal. Helps add fat/calories.

hsmaldo · #9 July 19th, 2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheriwx

She was at 16lb 2 oz at 6 months, and at her 12 month visit 16lb 6 oz.

She stayed in the 50th percentile until 6 months when she dropped down off the charts.

Genetically, her father has always been VERY skinny (like, looked malnourished) and my family has always been quite skinny as well. Her older sister followed this same growth pattern, dropping from the 75th percentile in weight down to the 10th at about 6 months old. Then she has maintained the 10th percentile since.

Besides the genetics, she started crawling about that time, and is about to walk, has a very picky appetite, and a will of iron. I've been trying to wean her for about a month and she has refused sippies and bottles for that purpose.

When we went to her visit and found out she was just 16lb6oz last week, I almost completely cut off the breastfeeding and now she seems to be taking the sippy much better. It was almost as though she was holding out for the breastfeeding, even though I wasn't making enough milk, if that makes any sense.

Developmentally she is right on target, she LOOKS healthy, she acts healthy, her blood levels are healthy. I believe if I follow her around constantly offering high protein/fat nutrient rich foods she will gain weight. I just need more ideas, most of mine are milk based products (whole milk, carnation instant breakfast, squeaky cheese, whole milk yogurt) and I want her intake to be more well rounded than that. So if anyone has any ideas, please share!

So if the pedi isn't concerned and this growth behavior is similar to others in the family and she looks healthy and everything seems to check out, then I guess I'm confused on why you still want to push her to gain weight.

She DID gain, though not much. But she's becoming much more active during that time as well, so it's normal for weight gain to level out. If you're concerned, I would talk again to the pedi...

sheriwx · #10 July 19th, 2011, 10:43 AM

The pedi IS concerned. He says it's "critical" that we get her to gain weight.

#11 July 19th, 2011, 10:50 AM

Seems like if the pedi was concerned he would tell you what to do to increase calories. I know mine sure did. Kaileigh was on a strict high calorie formula mix. She was in the 5% and has remained in the 10%, she was only on the high calorie for 2 months to see if she gains. 10% is actually normal. It's less then 3% that is considered FTT (failure to thrive). I would call your pedi because if he is concerned it's HIS job to assist you with it.

I personally would not be concerned and would not be trying to make her gain with out a doctors order ( which he would suggest what to use, or feed her, how much and how often). #1, because she is staying on her own curve, #2, she is gaining some, not a lot, but some, and #3, she is reaching milestones.

Let us know what your pedi says.

sheriwx · #12 July 19th, 2011, 12:05 PM

His instructions were, "Give her high calorie foods, like tofu smashed up in a smoothie." Mostly he said he'd refer me to a gastroenterologist because her weight was critical and we need her to gain, then backed out of the conversation. Frankly, we can't afford a gastroenterologist, and I really think he isn't taking into account family history.

Health care is notoriously bad out here, calling the pedi isn't an option. When you call, you get a message that a nurse will call you back within 24 hours, and then the next day or two when they DO call you back, they refuse to give you any answers and just tell you you'll have to make another appointment and come in. (Believe me, I've gone through it MANY times.)

I'm not crazy worried about her not being super heavy, but I do want her to gain more weight. That's why I asked for ideas here.

Hollybear · #13 July 19th, 2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheriwx

His instructions were, "Give her high calorie foods, like tofu smashed up in a smoothie." Mostly he said he'd refer me to a gastroenterologist because her weight was critical and we need her to gain, then backed out of the conversation. Frankly, we can't afford a gastroenterologist, and I really think he isn't taking into account family history.

Health care is notoriously bad out here, calling the pedi isn't an option. When you call, you get a message that a nurse will call you back within 24 hours, and then the next day or two when they DO call you back, they refuse to give you any answers and just tell you you'll have to make another appointment and come in. (Believe me, I've gone through it MANY times.)

I'm not crazy worried about her not being super heavy, but I do want her to gain more weight. That's why I asked for ideas here.

How much does she weigh again and what exactly does the pedi think is critical if genetics plays a part? (Only asking b/c you said the healthcare was notoriously bad) Is a 2nd opinion an option or do you just want her heavier as well?

SarahBethsMommy · #14 July 20th, 2011, 05:38 AM

Sounds like what you are doing is fine. My 4 year old son is FTT. We add butter and avacado and oils to everything. He is growing now, but stays around the 3-5%. He may never get higher, but he looks healthy and is acting much more healthy so the pedi isn't as concerned anymore. I wouldn't be overly concerned at this point. Sometimes kids who are getting really active and such drop their weight gain because they are putting a lot of energy into learning their new activities. If, in another 6months to a year she is still below the 3rd%, go to the GI. Or if she isn't acting right, go to the GI. Otherwise, live your life and don't worry about it.