Concerned about weight

[Kutie.Pie]

At DS's 6 month check up his weight was in the 14th percentile, but we put that to the fact that he's more active and such. He's going to be 8 mo in a week. He's not scrawny, doesn't look skinny or anything. He has pudgy wrists and has a belly and there's no problems with anything gi or anything like that (I had a nephew who did have problems, so I know to look for it). He never had colic either. DS had also put himself onto a 3 times a day eating schedule around 4-5 months. I follow his cues to eat, it's not like I've ever hindered him from eating, ever. He's been that way since he was born though. He used to go 3-4 hours since he was newborn. My midwife simply said I had rich milk that he was able to go that long.

Anyways, I'm a feed on demand mother. DS feels so light when I pick him up. He's super active and going all over the place now. Is he just a lighter weight child. He still has pudge. I feed him food once a day (we are taking solids slow), and I BF him about 3-4 times a day, depending on how the day goes with naps and such. He takes 2 really good naps and sleeps through the night. He's happy and babbles and does everything normally.

I guess I'm just hoping I'm not the only mother out there who has a baby that's lighter than average. One of my sisters has huge children and my other sister has tiny children. My son seems to fit right in between. I'm also no where near finished with BF, and when I feed him I've been trying to pick fattier things (like avocado and banana). Is anyone else's baby like this?

[Kelly1101]

My baby is skinnier than average (and taller than average). Part of it is that she has always been super super active. Plus breastfed babies can be lankier than formula fed. As long as you are offering food/nursing (and he seems happy and nothing wrong mood-wise), he won't starve himself.

[BalconyBirdie]

DD has remained steadfastly in the 4th percentile on weight. Like you, I have had a hard time not worrying about this (especially since she has breastfed every 2 hours or so during awake time since the beginning and still gains very slowly). Fortunately our pediatrician has been very supportive and has said repeatedly that as long as she is developing normally, not lethargic, reasonably happy, making lots of wet diapers (especially in the early months) etc., then she is fine. There are always babies near the top of the population and someone's also gotta be at the low end.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry too much about just the weight number unless you see reasons to worry in behavior, development, etc.

[tessie]

I was advised that if they're following their curve (on the breastfed baby charts) then there isn't usually anything to worry about. If he's dropping points then that would warrant keeping an eye on but if he's otherwise healthy and meeting his milestones age appropriately there isn't likely to be cause for concern.

And some babies will be on the heavier or lighter side of average because they can't all be on the 50th centile.

[PatioGardener]

Here's the WHO growth chart the PP was mentioning: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/stand...boys_p_0_2.pdf

On the old CDC charts breastfed babies often 'dropped off the curve' after 4-6 months because, well, because the charts were not based on normally fed babies.

[candelaria80]

My DD is the same way. She is in the 15% and actually lost .04oz at her 6 month visit! I was pretty upset, but the doctor wasn't worried. She is sooo active and healthy. She doesn't look skinny, she has chubby little legs and arms, but she is not a super chubby LO either.

We BF on demand as well, but I think I have skim milk She still eats every 2 hours or so and is still waking through the night to eat. We play with solids, but she seems to be getting a lot more down these days.

I don't really worry about it. People come in all shapes and sizes and she has hit all of her milestones super early.

[Kutie.Pie]

Thank you ladies so much. I went to a mommy/baby group today and they have a scale there. DS is 15.13 lbs. So he's at least gained a little (.5 lbs lol), but it's better than losing weight. It's just comforting to hear from other mamas that their babies are similar.

[leigh09]

both my boys are in the 5th percentile - my oldest is 4 and has been there all his life, my youngest is 6 mo and also been there all his life. (my daughter is in the 50th percentile and thus, the biggest child in the family!)
my doctor says it's no big deal, some kids are meant to be small just as some are meant to be big. also neither me nor dh are big people. as long as they are gaining and growing, stay on their curve and develop normally, all is well.

[MsVyky]

I wouldn't be worried unless he's not wetting his diapers. Is he tall?

My daughter is the same, suuuper skinny, and she'll barely hit double birth weight by 6 months, but she is long. She has a strange feeding pattern, but it's normal for her, and she has lots of wet/dirty diapers, so nobody is worried