Weight problem Updated 10-13

Neads · #1 August 18th, 2011, 06:19 AM

I've been MIA for about the past month since we moved into our new house. It's been busy and crazy, but starting to slow down now. Mason had his 9 month checkup last week and the doctor said developmentally and height wise he is above average. But his weight is a concern. He had been gliding in the 25 percentile. Now at 16lbs he has dropped off the chart. The doctor thinks maybe my milk is no longer providing enough calories and wants me to try giving him 8-16oz of formula a day. He ordered a blood test which came back showing his ferrous level is too low so now he is taking an iron supplement. He has to go back in a month for a weight check and another blood test.

I feel terrible. I keep thinking how I should have kept up with my prenatal vitamins. I should have given him the vitamin supplements the doctor recommended when he was newborn. I should have kept pushing for him to eat cereals even though he hated it and made him throw up.

He's not wanting the formula at all. It upsets his belly and makes his reflex a lot worse. I've been trying to feed him more solids. It gets frustrating because he doesn't open his mouth and he spits everything out. He turns his head away and crawls out of his high chair (even when strapped in tight... he's a very strong and determined guy). Bananas and breast milk is the only thing he enjoys. I feel like all I've done for the past week is try to get food in him, but I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

***UPDATE***

Thanks for all the great support and advice! After I posted this Mason continued to struggle with his weight up until about three weeks ago. I decided to cut Gluten out of his diet since FIL and DH both have gluten problems (might be Celiac). He has 1.5 pounds in three weeks! Reflex and throwing up has stopped. He's all around a much happier guy. The doctor said to keep doing what I'm doing and when he's older we will reintroduce gluten and if he has a problem again we'll run tests. He's hoping he will outgrow it.

ASH_M · #2 August 18th, 2011, 07:52 AM

:-( Sorry you're struggling with this momma! Are you mixing the BM with the formula? (I don't know if you can even do that, just a thought I had to get him weaned onto the formula....) Maybe a bit of formula mixed in with the banana mash?

I wouldn't beat yourself up about not giving him vitamins or not force feeding him when you knew it would make him throw up. You couldn't have predicted this would happen. Hang in there. I hope he gets the hang of his new diet soon. KUP!

ashleykathleen · #3 August 18th, 2011, 10:53 AM

When Kiefer was switching from BM to formula, I mixed it and he took to it much better...maybe try that? I also agree with Ashley. Just try to mix BM into the solids so you can slowly get him used to them.

As far as the curve, I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. Kiefer started out in the 25th percentile and when he reflux got really bad he dropped down to the 5th percentile. He is now gaining slowly but steadily but has remained on the 5th percentile curve ever since. Chin up mama! The good thing is you caught it before it causes him any other problems!

Ava Black · #4 August 18th, 2011, 11:41 AM

I think you might want to do some research. When babies become more active they often don't gain as well. My oldest and Jace each had a period they didn't gain at all. With Jace they wanted us to supplement with formula and I did a few times but it was not what I wanted for him and I kept at the nursing and he is still little (3rd percentile) but fine.

Doctors are not educated enough about breastfeeding and they look to a quick fix to answer for kids that don't follow the norm. Well not every baby grows the same way. I would say as long as he is growing and gaining (at his own rate) and meeting milestones he is FINE!

I did a lot of reading and talking to other moms with these problems when jace was first born because I was so devastated. I basically got from the doc that breastfeeding was hurting my baby and we had to stop. Of course I decided that wasn't the way things were going to go. We went for weekly, then monthly weigh ins to make sure he was still growing. (I actually skipped the last monthly weigh in because I'm truly over it!) I even rented a scale to weigh Jace before and after a feeding and mark down how much milk he was taking.... which was plenty ~ go figure.

Like I said if he is healthy, growing and meeting milestones I wouldn't stress too much. Feed him what he likes (baby food, puffs, breastmilk) and let his body do its thing.

Now for the vitamin I would totally give that if he is deficient.

LOL

Did I rant enough?

pfmommy07 · #5 August 18th, 2011, 12:50 PM

Honestly I don't think formula is the answer. Even formula fed babies don't gain weight. As long as he is still growing, has enough wet/poopy diapers. You are feeding him. Some babies are just small. Do you know which chart they are using? There is a bf and ff growth chart. Keep feeding him on demand. And always nurse before solids, and if he wants to nurse after that is great, too.

Ava Black · #6 August 18th, 2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfmommy07

Honestly I don't think formula is the answer. Even formula fed babies don't gain weight. As long as he is still growing, has enough wet/poopy diapers. You are feeding him. Some babies are just small. Do you know which chart they are using? There is a bf and ff growth chart. Keep feeding him on demand. And always nurse before solids, and if he wants to nurse after that is great, too.

Yes that is great advice!!!

pfmommy07 · #7 August 18th, 2011, 04:17 PM

If the formula is making his reflux worse, I don't see how that is HELPING him at all. I see it as only making him suffer when he doesn't need to. ((hugs)) I would contact a LC to see if they can give you good advice.

Neads · #8 August 19th, 2011, 05:55 AM

I've decided to stop trying the formula because like you all said it doesn't seem to be the answer. He is more cooperative with eating his solids when the reflex is not as bad. It just makes sense to encourage the solids instead of the formula which makes him so miserable.

Compared to Natalie he is the exact height and weight she was at her 6 month appointment. She was up to 18lbs at 9 months and then she stalled out and the doctor was concerned at 12 months when she hadn't gained anything. We still have to work at it to make sure she eats enough. At 2.5 years old she is only 25lbs and fits very nicely into Mason's 3-6month size shorts. They are like their dad... tall, skinny, and super active.

Ava Black · #9 August 19th, 2011, 07:18 AM

See that is another thing. Long and thin.... thats how my oldest is. He can fit into size 7 shorts but they are SHORT on him. He is 11. Whereas my 9 year old can't button the same short but he is average height/weight. Neither are fat by anymeans. I'd just keep an eye on it ~ give solids and offer the boob when he wants it!!

keep us posted!

ASH_M · #10 August 19th, 2011, 09:39 AM

I must have missed the part where formula gives him reflux. You made the right decision then - no sense in making him suffer like that. Good luck, let us know how it goes.