HELP - 4 month old EBF lost 2 lbs in just a few weeks

[neveryoumindthere]

Why might this be? I am having a hard time finding info for a friend of mine whose 4 month old is losing weight. He's slightly fussier, didn't poop for 13 days, but generally a happy baby. They've had a lot going on with her dad visiting from out of town for a week, then they went out of town for almost a week so baby's routine was all over the place.

I still think losing 2lbs is A LOT but can't find any reasons why an EBF baby would lose so much weight. He sleeps through the night (7+ hours) but he always has since birth..

any ideas? what medical conditions might cause weight loss? or is this still in the range of 'normal'?

side note: I advised her to check with the midwife/LLL and she plans on doing so today.

[USAmma]

There are some medical conditions that can cause weight loss including metabolic disorders and heart problems. In both cases the body is using more energy than it can get back in through feeding. Also malabsorbsion issues where the body doesn't absorb what is being taken in. Didn't poop for 13 days?! That would really concern me. I can see going a week but 13 days is not normal.

If she can rent a baby scale or stand with baby on a bathroom scale that is very sensitive, she should weight the baby before and after every feeding (even at night which I know is a pain). See if she can tell how much the baby is taking in vs. how much it hsould be taking in. If the baby is getting enough milk I would start looking for hidden medical issues.

[PatioGardener]

If it is real it is not normal at all - but are they sure it is real? Was it the same scale as before? Was the scale accurate?

If it is a real weight loss then USAmma has some good ideas.

[guestmama9920]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

If it is real it is not normal at all - but are they sure it is real? Was it the same scale as before? Was the scale accurate?

we weighed DD recently alot while she was ill and not nursing much, if you do one weigh after a good feed before pooing, then do one on an empty tummy after 2 poos there is a decent weight loss.

Just something to keep in mind