Slow weight gain at 1 year - dr. freaking out

[lessmith23]

So DD had her 1 year check-up today and has dropped to the 13% for weight. She has gained but not much. She continues to grow in height and head circumference and is meeting milestones in addition to be happy and healthy. Plus, now at 12 months, is on the move constantly.

I am still nursing her at least 4 times a day (sometimes more, still nursing on demand) and throughout the night and offer her solids such as full-fat yogurt with fruit, cheese, etc. She pretty much eats whatever we eat and has as much or as little as she wants.

I'm not concerned about her weight gain (or lack there of). I'm tall and thin and I think DD is going be of a similar build. What I am concerned about is the dr.'s response. He said he doesn't like to see kids fall off the curve and that if she has a similar weight gain when she goes back in 3 months (15 month check-up) he wants to do something (didn't say what).

I'm just wondering if other moms have had a similar experience with their LO's? Wondering what the best way to handle things with the dr. is.

If anyone has advice I'd love to hear it as I'm not comfortable with "fattening" up DD if she's exactly the size and shape she's supposed to be.

TIA.

[PatioGardener]

have you plotted her on the gold standard WHO chart?

try it and see if that fixes the problem if she is still on her curve then you know the problem rests with the ped and the chart!

http://www.who.int/childgrowth/stand...irls_p_0_2.pdf

[Ruthla]

Where was she on the chart before? Did she drop from the 15% to the 13%, or did she drop from 50% to 13%? Either way could still be healthy for her, but if it was a more dramatic decrease, I can understand the doctor's response a little better.

You might want to find another pediatrician before her next checkup, BEFORE this doctor has a chance to say "Oh, no! She's now 12% on the charts and if you don't give her pediasure I'll call CPS!"

[annettemarie]

Moved to LWAB since it's more of an all around growth/nutrition issue than a specific breastfeeding challenge.

[Skrimpy]

I would also ask how far she's fallen - but if you're not too concerned, I think she's probably OK. Some babies do just thin out once they're on the move all the time, and they're still nice and healthy. Is she eating well? You said she's on the go... is she happy? Cheerful? Mostly content? (I know all little ones are going to get grumpy when they're overly tired and things aren't going their way but in general...)

I would look at these for signs that things are going well. In the meantime you can always offer higher calorie foods like full-fat grass-fed dairy, high quality butter, avocados, etc. Fruits cooked gently in butter or served in quality cream are great - butter/cream for energy and the sugar/carbs in the fruit to help pack on a little weight.

[cdmommie]

we are dealing with the exact same thing. DH and I are/were as kids tall and thin. My dd has gained about 1 pound between ages 9 months and 16 months but she's grown about 4 inches taller. She's doing fine otherwise, but the doctor is freaking out. In fact, they blame it on her nursing I looked at the WHO charts and she is perfectly fine by those standards, so I am not worried.

However, if you have 3 weight-loss or low/no weight gain visits, they can call CPS, so I would recommend finding a new doc if it gets close to that point.

Hope it all turns out okay for you!

[MammaG]

Huh, my LO was 9lbs2oz at birth (so big) but weighed about 13lbs at 6 mos (3rd%ile). His height is more in the 50% and his head is 97th%. Like an upsidedown weeble, LOL.

Our pedi wasn't concerned about the weight by itself, but did order a celiac test because he had 3 indicators; low weight, skinny extremities and very smelly and, um, frequent gas. He's fine. Just little, skinny and stinky!

Like pps have asked, where was she at 6 mos and how does she fall on the WHO chart?

[lessmith23]

Thanks all for the responses! She was 6lbs 13oz at birth and is approx. 18lbs now at 1 year. Her weight slowed at 6 months and there was quite a significant change in percentiles between her 6 month check-up and 9 months check up but less of a change between her 9 month and 1 year appointments. Her weight is not dropping just where she falls on the curve they are using.

I have plotted her weights from birth to 1 year and according to the WHO graph, it looks like she's been riding the 50th percentile curve fairly consistently.

Thanks for the info, I feel much better knowing there doesn't appear to be an issue.

[Pandme]

Originally Posted by lessmith23

Thanks all for the responses! She was 6lbs 13oz at birth and is approx. 18lbs now at 1 year. Her weight slowed at 6 months and there was quite a significant change in percentiles between her 6 month check-up and 9 months check up but less of a change between her 9 month and 1 year appointments. Her weight is not dropping just where she falls on the curve they are using.

I have plotted her weights from birth to 1 year and according to the WHO graph, it looks like she's been riding the 50th percentile curve fairly consistently.

Thanks for the info, I feel much better knowing there doesn't appear to be an issue.

Those are GREAT numbers. I really cannot believe how misinformed some pediatricians are. They are creating problems where there aren't any.

My child was 6 pounds 15 ounces at birth and I'm hoping we make it to 18 pounds at 1 year.

[Tway]

DD was 8 lbs 3 oz at birth, and at 10 months she's only about 15 lbs (the same as her 3-month-old cousin!). She's always been at the bottom of her weight chart, but her pediatrician told us not to worry about it, as she's maintaiing her curve and is doing completely fine. He also said the WHO chart was a little wonky!

ETA: DD also moves constantly--even in her sleep! I think she just burns her calories all the time, hence the slow weight gain.

[mi.birthdoula]

wow OP I really could have wrote your initial post word for word. Our family doc said almost the exact same thing. I have to take ds back in next week since his weight had evened him out on the chart when we took him in for his 1yr last friday. Doc said he prob lost some weight because he was sick, but honestly ds has been eating just as he always has. I'm really not looking forward to the visit next week.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by lessmith23

I have plotted her weights from birth to 1 year and according to the WHO graph, it looks like she's been riding the 50th percentile curve fairly consistently.

Great news!

That's why the WHO charts are so important! I just wish all the pediatricians would get on board with the latest evidence!

[AislinCarys]

Plot his chart on the who chart and bring that on your next doctor visit.

For what it is worth, DD suddenly lost weight around 19 months, and I freaked, the doctor and a nurse where both perfectly calm, said that is very common in the second year that weight stalls as babies get more mobile, and asked if she had been sick recently (she had just had a cold, and not eaten very well in a week or so).

[nmelanson]

DS1 was 17lbs at 16 months. A new GP at our Dr's office freaked out, assumed he was failing to thrive and also thought he might have some other developmental disorder because he has big ears. She sent us to a pediatrician who laughed at her and said she was crazy because it is plain to see that he was happy, energetic and very intelligent.

At birth he was 2-3 weeks early and almost 8 lbs - so in about the 90th pecentile. Before a year old he had dropped right off the chart all together. Some babies just don't fit on the charts. You know your baby best and don't let a DR freak you out about the whole weight thing if you know your baby is just fine - and thriving!!!

[octobermoon]

according to kellymom a BF baby should about triple their weight at 1 year which your DD has. sounds like she's doing great. she's happy, meeting her milestones and is gaining.

my DS is the same way, he's 11 mos tomorrow he started out at 7.4oz and is now nearly 20 lbs. he's very tall. my dr. sears book says he's only in the 25th% for weight while the WHO puts him at 50th percentile. why are the charts so different?? the dr. sears one uses the CDC chart. what gives?

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by octobermoon

why are the charts so different??

check out my rant (in a good way) about the WHO charts here: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...t#post15583291

it explains the difference

[octobermoon]

Originally Posted by patiogardener

check out my rant (in a good way) about the who charts here: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...t#post15583291

it explains the difference

thank you!!!

[Pandme]

Originally Posted by octobermoon

according to kellymom a BF baby should about triple their weight at 1 year which your DD has. sounds like she's doing great. she's happy, meeting her milestones and is gaining.

my DS is the same way, he's 11 mos tomorrow he started out at 7.4oz and is now nearly 20 lbs. he's very tall. my dr. sears book says he's only in the 25th% for weight while the WHO puts him at 50th percentile. why are the charts so different?? the dr. sears one uses the CDC chart. what gives?

Actually, with a birthweight of 6 pounds, 13 ounces, triple would be about 20.5 pounds. However, Kellymom says a BF baby is usually 2.5-3X birthweight by a year. The OP's child is definitely 2.5X birthweight.

[mamadelbosque]

It must be the weather. DS2's ped was freaking out on me yesterday for his weight (6# 9.40oz at birth, 19.1#s at 1 yr and 10 days...), how hes 'suddenly int he 5th percentile!!' - but of course when plotted on the WHO charts, hes at like the 15th percentile. Which I spose is still kinda low, but seriously? DS1 did the same exact freaking thing - 50th through 9 months then down to the 5-15th ever since. So I"m *SO* not worrying. And was pretty annoyed with her the whole frigging time we were there, since the first words out of her mouth was "So, I'm kinda worried cause' he's really dropped. Hows he eating?' - me "GREAT! More than DS1 half the time" "well, cause I'm just worried and blah blah blah blah blah..." UGH. I now remmeber why we generally avoid them like the frigging plague.

[CherryBomb]

Yeah, it doesn't sound like something I'd be concerned about. Dd3 was 8.6 at birth but I think she was maybe 13 or 14 pounds at a year. She's 2.5 and still only about 26 pounds. Other than at birth, she was consistently in the 2-5th percentiles. Our doctor was never concerned.