My 9 month baby boy isn't gaining enough weight. What can I do?

Question

He born with 8 pounds and he was gaining enough weight each month, but since he was 6 months he isn't gaining weight like the others months. Now he weights 21 pounds. He doesn't look thin, but he doesn't look like other babies...

Answer 1

Most babies triple their birth weight by about a year. Further, your son started out just below the 75th percentile and is now *still* just below the 75th percentile (see sources section below). So he is growing at precisely an average rate.

By the way, the growth charts below are the newest, most accurate ones ever made. They are the first ones ever based on a population of children who are *known* to have been well-nourished (earlier ones were based on large populations without investigating whether they were being force-fed--a common practice at the time).

Answer 2

If your health professional is not bothered about his weight then you shouldn't really be. If there was a problem they would have told you. Please don't compare your son to other children as they are all different.
My now 10 month old daughter did not put any weight on for the first 3 months and was checked at hospital but she was fine. she has been on solids since 6 months and now eats what we eat near enough and is a very healthy bonny little girl and if anything a bit larger than others her age.
At the end of the day all children develop at different rates and as long as he is happy and doctors are not concerned you should not really worry. Just have fun enjoying your son.

Answer 3

As a mother of a 14 month old who only weighs 21 pounds I'm not sure you have a single thing to worry about. Babies do become more active at this age and their weights tend to level off. Think about how much easier it is on your back to be picking up a lighter kid! If your child's doctor has raised his weight as a concern then I would ask him what he suggests. You don't want to overfeed or give your baby empty calories...

Answer 4

If you're concerned that he's not gaining weight becuase he doesn't look like other babies, don't be. Has your pediatrician actually told you that your son isn't thriving and is underweight? You can't compare him to other babies you see...all of them are different. As long as he's healthy and eating and gaining weight, don't worry. If your pediatrician has told you he's worried about your son, then you should worry. If that's the case, he should have told you what to do about it.

Answer 5

if your baby is staying in the same percentile he is fine

babys do not grow as rapidly as they get older

9 months and 21 lbs is actually over weight, you should check with the pediatrition befor trying to make your baby gain more at this point

Answer 6

he's just more active now have you been told by your doctor that he's not gaining enough weight of just you thinking he isn't? If he's eating enough and drinking enough you shouldn't worry but if you are that concerned take him to the doctor

Answer 7

Dont compair him to other babies.My son was VERY slow gaining weight.Dont worry alot of of it is genitics (not really sure how to spell it) As long as he is eating and drinking he will gain weight in his own time.

Answer 8

You need to speak with your pediatrician, NOT yahoo answers, on matters concerning the health of your child.

Answer 9

oh dear, my daughter was 9 months and weighed 18 lbs! my ped said she was healthy, at 50 percentile. He is healthy, don't worry, just love him up!

Answer 10

take that baby to the peditrician