8 months/underweight (Full Version)

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April75 -> 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 11:14:34 AM)

Have you ever been told this?

Should I be alarmed?

I was told by the pediatrician that my baby was underweight. She is 14.13 lbs. 8 months.

She has a pretty good appetite. When she's hungry she wants it right away, eats it all and often wants more. She's eating between 2 and 3 meals a day. And is having 4 to 5, 4 oz. bottles a day.

On one hand I'm thinking every baby differs. She doesn't have much baby fat, just on her thighs and cheeks. Also she's taller than the average baby the doctor says. On the other hand I feel really bad as a mother thinking I did something to cause this.



garsyt -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 11:31:53 AM)

Yes and stop worrying so much!

AS long as she is making adequete progress and EATING her meals and getting good calories from GOOD healthy food and snacks. Now if she were to start LOSING weight then there would be cause for concern.

My youngest ds was considered underweight at about 6 months of age and continued on the underweight spectrum until he hit about a year old. Now nearly 9 years later he is on the heavier end of a normal weight for a child his age and height. For some reason, some children gain more slowly then others and catch up later in life.

Blessings,

Garsy



BlessedMamaofmany -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 11:36:50 AM)

I would say trust your instincts. If she's eating well, and is active and happy, she's probably fine.
Lots of moms here (myself included) can tell you that they've had 'too small' babies that are normal.
That sounds a lot like what my oldest weighed at that age. My fourth is 8 months and he's about that same size as yours. He's fine.
A better indicator is consistency...has she grown consistently through her life?
If she's small, but been consistently growing, then that's good.
Did she recently start crawling? If she's more mobile now, than she's burning more calories and could very likely slow down in growth a bit
To sum it up...don't worry. Your girl sounds like she's healthy and happy, and that's good
Sandy



Memaw. -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:09:33 PM)

If you think she needs more calories, Pediasure is a good source.

But trust your instincts, not all kids fit into the "typical" growth charts.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:16:50 PM)

Pediasure is not for babies--formula is.

HeisallIneed, do you only offer four ounce bottles? I would give her an eight ounce bottle each time--at this age, most of her calories and nutrition should still be coming from formula, not solid food. And I have never seen an eight month old who only too four ounce bottles. So, I would offer eight ouncers and see what she does with them.

Does she wake up hungry at night?



April75 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:20:11 PM)

Ok, I feel better now. Thanks. I'm trying not to worry.

I see where she was gaining weight fine but I think when she went to food she started dropping off maybe. The Dr. said she seems to be dropping off from where she should be but she's taller than most children. My husband, his mother and siblings are all mostly tall and lean so this could be it.

Yes she just started crawling about 3 weeks ago. Also she's in the walker some, during the day moving around.

Actually she was growing just fine when she was just on milk. She drinks less milk now that she eats solids. I know this is normal but I'm thinking and the dr also said to make sure she's getting her milk first before she eats. I started increasing her milk yesterday and also told the sitter to give her all the milk I send for her. I was sending 4 bottles and enough food for her to eat 3 times. But she mostly ate twice and only had 2 to 3 bottles.



Memaw. -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:36:23 PM)

Jenny, I didn't mean Pediasure as a replacement for formula, I meant it as a supplement to add calories.

My granddaughters' doctor added it to her diet at about 9 months of age, as a supplement.



April75 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:36:46 PM)

Jenny-Fair
I also have 8 ounce bottles. I decided on not using the 4 oz anymore yesterday. I thought it was strange she never increased from 4 oz. But I was told or that's because she's eating. I agree about most of the calories should come from her milk and so does her pediatrician.

She normally doesn't wake during the night.

I'm trying to keep track of her eating habits and keep her on a schedule.

This is my first time being a mom and I do rely on being told some things by my mother and mother in law. Mostly when they say this or that I don't know if it's wrong since they've had children. When the sitter is family and they feel like they know already, it's hard to make them do things. I don't want to nitpick. I did have a talk with her and told her to make sure she's giving her , her milk during the day. I told my husband to help reinforce and so he did. She seemed to understand and is going to do this. I did tell her this at 4 months when I started feeding her. Maybe the way I said it she didn't understand. She thinks something is wrong with me because I don't feed her table food. I'm not letting off that and have to keep reminding her. She been making little comments for months now.



peculiar_lady2 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:37:41 PM)

quote:

Lots of moms here (myself included) can tell you that they've had 'too small' babies that are normal.

YUP...count me in that one. Our first was off the charts at the top....growing out of things before he was even to the age that was on them....our second is the total opposite....she stays in the lower part of the percentile charts. Right now she is about 3% for height and weight....she gets up to about 7% sometimes...and once she was at 11%, but that was very short lived and only once. With babies the best thing to look at is her development....is she doing the things an average 8 month old would be doing? If so then she is right on time for her!!!

quote:

Pediasure is not for babies--formula is.

exactly!!!! Formula or breastmilk is all a baby needs before they are a year old. As far as padiesure goes, do you know what is in that stuff? SHEESH!!!! It's a whole list of things I wouldn't dare give to a baby with a system that is still not developed!!!! Babies don't *NEED* anything except formula or breastmilk until they are a year though....check out what Dr Sears says about starting solids and how to tell when, what, and how much on average....HERE. Remember though that until a year old most babies do not actually NEED food...they should be getting all they need from breastmilk or formula.

as far as you causing this for her....well, sure you did...cause you caused her to have the genetic make-up she has!!!! LOL....ok...seriously, you can't MAKE a baby gain weight. If her metabolism works that way for her body then that's just how it works. I have gone through the ringer many times over our daughter and her size (esp when they start comparing her to her older brother who is opposite of her)....I have even had people say that if she didn't gain weight by a certain time they were going to call CPS on us. WHAT!!!! It's INSANE!!!! Just let her be who and what God created her body to be!!!!



Memaw. -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:41:18 PM)

quote:

As far as padiesure goes, do you know what is in that stuff? SHEESH!!!! It's a whole list of things I wouldn't dare give to a baby with a system that is still not developed!!!!


WOW!

Ok, so forget I mentioned Pediasure.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 12:42:54 PM)

quote:

I also have 8 ounce bottles. I decided on not using the 4 oz anymore yesterday. I thought it was strange she never increased from 4 oz. But I was told or that's because she's eating. I agree about most of the calories should come from her milk and so does her pediatrician.

Sounds like you are doing great! I wouldn't try to force a baby to eat, of course, but it could be that when the bottle is empty she figures she's done and has had enough to take the edge off so she doesn't complain. But if she quits at four ounces, and that's her normal hunger level, then I totally agree with what Sarah said--she's just a naturally small baby.



ladyingrace1979 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 1:07:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Memaw.

quote:

As far as padiesure goes, do you know what is in that stuff? SHEESH!!!! It's a whole list of things I wouldn't dare give to a baby with a system that is still not developed!!!!


WOW!

Ok, so forget I mentioned Pediasure.

Oh please, do you really think a product aimed at children would be unsafe! My girls were premies, and they didn't grow well. At a year old we switched to pediassure. It helped them alot.

To the original poster. If your baby is on powdered formula you can make it a little thicker and that will give extra calories. We were doing 5 scoops of powder instead of 4 for an 8 oz. bottle. I think that made it 30 cal. per oz rather than 20, but that was 9 years ago so I'm not sure. Also use whole milk products, more calories. We also made the baby food extra thick with rice cereal or oatmeal.



Memaw. -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 1:15:15 PM)

quote:

My girls were premies, and they didn't grow well. At a year old we switched to pediassure. It helped them alot.

My granddaughter was preemie and has Downs' Syndrome. Her doctor added it to her diet before a year.



manda59 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 1:16:09 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair
HeisallIneed, do you only offer four ounce bottles? I would give her an eight ounce bottle each time--at this age, most of her calories and nutrition should still be coming from formula, not solid food. And I have never seen an eight month old who only too four ounce bottles. So, I would offer eight ouncers and see what she does with them.



My two *never* took 8oz bottles. The most either of them ever wanted was 6oz.*
By 7 months, they were having 4 bottles a day.



(*UK fl oz - which I now find are different from US fl oz[8|] - so that 6 is actually more like nearly 7.5)



manda59 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 1:19:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HesallIneed
Have you ever been told this?

Should I be alarmed?

I was told by the pediatrician that my baby was underweight. She is 14.13 lbs. 8 months.

She has a pretty good appetite. When she's hungry she wants it right away, eats it all and often wants more. She's eating between 2 and 3 meals a day. And is having 4 to 5, 4 oz. bottles a day.

On one hand I'm thinking every baby differs. She doesn't have much baby fat, just on her thighs and cheeks. Also she's taller than the average baby the doctor says. On the other hand I feel really bad as a mother thinking I did something to cause this.




HesallIneed,

My ds was always (on the percentile charts), taller than most babies, with a smaller head than most babies, and underweight compared to most babies. Thankfully, my doc was sensible, looked at his overall health, behaviour and build, and concluded that he would likely always be tall, slim and "wiry".

My ds is now 18, almost 6ft tall, very slim (150 pounds) and *very* strong.

The doc was right.

I wouldn't worry if I were you.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 2:08:54 PM)

quote:

To the original poster. If your baby is on powdered formula you can make it a little thicker and that will give extra calories. We were doing 5 scoops of powder instead of 4 for an 8 oz. bottle. I think that made it 30 cal. per oz rather than 20, but that was 9 years ago so I'm not sure. Also use whole milk products, more calories. We also made the baby food extra thick with rice cereal or oatmeal.

NEVER NEVER NEVER change the concentration of formula without a doctor's order. Babies have DIED from that.



isaacsmom -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 2:16:49 PM)

quote:

NEVER NEVER NEVER change the concentration of formula without a doctor's order. Babies have DIED from that.


How? I'm just curious.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 2:19:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair
HeisallIneed, do you only offer four ounce bottles? I would give her an eight ounce bottle each time--at this age, most of her calories and nutrition should still be coming from formula, not solid food. And I have never seen an eight month old who only too four ounce bottles. So, I would offer eight ouncers and see what she does with them.



My two *never* took 8oz bottles. The most either of them ever wanted was 6oz.
By 7 months, they were having 4 bottles a day.


Gabby only takes 4-6oz at a time, but she is having 6-8 bottles a day. 4oz 5x a day is NOT enough calories, it's just not. Especially since solids and cereal tend to be lower calorically unless you are feeding things like Avocados.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 2:22:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: isaacsmom

quote:

NEVER NEVER NEVER change the concentration of formula without a doctor's order. Babies have DIED from that.


How? I'm just curious.

You can google it for more info, but basically you are tricking the body, and when you increase the powder to water concentration you risk dehydration and other issues. It really isn't something a parent should ever do on their own, IMO. I know of at least one baby that died because her mom lost the measuring scoop--so in the length of time it took to use ONE CAN of formula, that baby was so malnourished in some way that she could not continue living.



April75 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 2:46:00 PM)

Thanks Manda, this is encouraging. My husband is 5'11 & 1/2 and I believe he was 140 at 18.

My baby is so precious. She is very strong physically(just like her father). She is very, very busy and crawls over the entire house. I can see already she has the same body type as my inlaws.

Everyone lately has been telling me that she's so little. At the church's nursery there are several children there that are 8 months or around that and they are a lot thicker than my baby but she's just as tall as them.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 2:48:55 PM)

It is possible that she is eating too much solid food and it isn't giving her the fat and calories that she needs. What does she usually eat for meals?



April75 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 3:07:51 PM)

I don't plan on doing anything different from what it says on the label for formula.

I did start to give her snack in the last couple of weeks also.

My husband doesn't have a big appetite. When he eats he eats otherwise he can go all day without eating. Not that my baby doesn't have an appetite but mostly she will only drink the 4 oz. the she throws the bottle down or start to just play with it. When she's really hungry in the morning or dinnertime she will probably drink more.



April75 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 3:17:17 PM)

JennyFair,

She had a bottle at 6:30 am. She eats between 9 & 11am, stage 2 fruit and bowl or rice cereal made with formula. Sometimes fruit in between lunch and dinner. Then a vegetable and fruit for Dinner.

I'm thinking little things(table foods) she's getting maybe playing a hand in her not wanting the milk as much? Could that be it? The sitter says she wants other foods like table food because when someone goes to the table with a plate she comes really fast in the walker to the table as if she's going to get some. I don't give her table food but my sitter lets her try tasting an orange or sweet potatoe. Things like this.



NotDoneYet -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 3:20:51 PM)

My 2 sons were both peanuts until they were about 6 years old. The older one was maybe 20lbs at 2...the younger one was 15 lbs at a year.
The older one is now 6'1" tall, 170 lbs, with almost NO body fat...he's in the Army, can carry a rucksack that weighs 120 lbs on a 15K hike without breaking a sweat. The younger one is almost 18, 5'7" tall and maybe 125lbs on a good day after a big meal.

If the baby is active, growing on her own curve and is hitting all her developmental milestones, I wouldn't worry too much...offer her an 8 oz bottle of formula at each feeding, if she drinks it, great, if not, don't sweat it...

NDY



manda59 -> RE: 8 months/underweight (4/25/2008 3:22:26 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HesallIneed
Thanks Manda, this is encouraging. My husband is 5'11 & 1/2 and I believe he was 140 at 18.

My baby is so precious. She is very strong physically(just like her father). She is very, very busy and crawls over the entire house. I can see already she has the same body type as my inlaws.

Everyone lately has been telling me that she's so little. At the church's nursery there are several children there that are 8 months or around that and they are a lot thicker than my baby but she's just as tall as them.


What I did with my two when they were on 4 bottles a day was make the first bottle of the day 6oz, the middle two 4oz, and the last one 6oz. I found they drank more at the beginning and end of the day.



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