Can I say anything else?

[Latte Mama]

We were visiting DH's family yesterday and one of his cousin's has a 7 month old. Apparently, the baby hasn't been eating well lately (formula fed). I was talking to the wife and she told me the baby is only taking 2- 7 oz bottles a day and this has been going on for several weeks! The baby was seen at the pedi for the 6 month WBV and the doctor said as long as the baby isn't losing weight it's ok. Whaaattt? The baby is NOT gaining either.

The baby also isn't eating any solids, refuses it. The thing that really concerns me is that the pedi is not having the baby come in for weight checks but will not see her until 9 months. I was just about to voice my concerns when the husband (DH's cousin) said "can we stop talking about babies and formula now". So I did. I wasn't sure if he was sensitive about the topic or not. I couldn't get the wife alone to chat further. I'm not super close with her, we're friendly enough though. I'll probably see her in 2 weeks at another family get together.

I have never heard of a baby who is having eating issues not being seen frequently for weight checks. Seriously, 14 oz of formula a day is about 1/2 of what an infant needs for healthy growth. Why the heck would any doctor wait 3 months to see this baby????

So, should I casually bring this up to the wife when I see her again? I am really worried about this little one .

[CarrieMF]

The only thing I"d do is ask if the baby's feeling better when you see them again. There are different reasons why a baby would suddenly drop their food intake that are not urgent. In 2 weeks time the baby could be back to how they were eating before. Now if the baby looks sick or visibly looks like it's lost weight then say something more, but it's not any of your business.

Not all babies will eat/gain the same way. My youngest(bf'd) gained 2 oz a WEEK on a good week. She had monthly weight checks at public health. Her growth chart was slow but still rising on her own individual curve. SHe was not on the charts until she was 3.

[sapphire_chan]

And how much was the baby eating at the time of the 6month WBV? Has the baby even been checked since the pattern of not eating started?

My only thought is maybe the baby has a stuffed nose and is finding it hard to breath and eat?

Not growing doesn't worry me quite as much because growth isn't a smooth curve regardless of feeding method and I could see there being a lull around 7 months as the baby is more efficient with sitting up and thus uses less energy. Not checking until 9 months is scary. And the fact the doctor didn't talk to them about how long the baby'd been eating so little and when to call if things kept on the same way is also perplexing.

Oh, right you wanted what to say to them, I think Carrie has the right idea.

[Latte Mama]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

And how much was the baby eating at the time of the 6month WBV? Has the baby even been checked since the pattern of not eating started?

My only thought is maybe the baby has a stuffed nose and is finding it hard to breath and eat?

.

The baby was eating like this at the time of the 6 month appt. No the baby has not been checked since. At the time of the appt, the baby had not gained weight since the previous month's visit. It's been going on for almost 2 months now. The mom did say the baby was teething for a bit but not sick with a cold or anything like that.

I'm not trying to get in anyone's business. However, knowing this family, I can see them taking the pedi's word and just waiting until the 9 month visit. Some people have a hard time advocating for themselves when it comes to healthcare and talking to doctors and such. I just wanted to perhaps gently suggest that if the baby continues with this eating pattern, maybe calling and asking for a weight check before the 9 month visit.

ETA: This is a pretty big change from how the baby normally ate FWIW. It's not like the baby was always a small eater.