Fattening up my baby?

Question

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions... My 9 month old is 19 lbs and according to the doc. should weigh more. I've tried feeding him more and adding in a bedtime snack in addition to his 3 meals ( and formula) but it doesn't seem to be working. He was born small 5.11 and was never a really good eater from birth and lets you know when he's full or just not hungry. He's healthy, happy and very active...when people look at him they can't believe the doc thinks he needs to weigh more ( my cuz girl is 20m and weighs 23 lbs their doc isn't conserned)
does anyone else have this problem..or have suggestions on what I can do ?

Answer 1

I have a great suggestion for you - CHANGE YOUR PEDIATRICIAN!! We changed ours after we got some kooky advice, and we were never happier. Found a super nice man who actually cares about babies, takes the time to check and make sure your child is healthy by means other than the scale, he's great! Wow, 19lbs at 9mths is not enough for a baby who was tiny at birth? Ridiculous!!! Please dont add more food to your child's menu. You could set him up to have problems over-eating when he's older. You said all the important things: he's healthy, happy and active....

The article below talks of 'over-estimated' weight gain in babies... go ahead and read that to ease your mind.

I went and got my girl's medical book as I was still thinking about this and I see according to the weight curve in the back that a baby weighing 6lbs at birth 'should' be around 17lbs at 9mths. Your son is even more than that! Seriously, change your pediatrician. I wouldnt trust him after this. Did he really not even explain what the deal was, why he was concerned?? Just because all his other 'patients' are rolly polly and 20lbs at 6mths doesnt mean your son should be.

Answer 2

He sounds more than fine. The general rule is that a baby should triple their birthweight by 12 months...your baby has already done that at 9 months. If your son has consistently remained in the same percentile range (say, he's always been in the 10-25th percentile for weight), don't worry about it. The only time to worry is if he went from, say, the 75th to the 10th all of a sudden. Some babies are just thinner...my baby is very long...90th percentile, but 50th for weight, so she looks skinny, but she's always been this way, and is perfectly happy, healthy, and normal. My doctor says as long as she KEEPS growing, she's fine. Your doctor sounds like an idiot. I would say try to get a second opinion at least. With the obesity rate skyrocketing, I don't know WHY the doctor would try to get you to force feed your son when he seems well within the normal range.

Answer 3

My pediatrician had the same concern at my son's 9 month appointment. In my son's case it wasn't his weight per se but that his weight percentile had gone from 75th to 25th (and he had actually lost a few ounces). He had grown lengthwise appropriately, however. I know my son's weight loss was because he is the most active baby ever (at 9 months NEVER stopped crawling, pulling up, moving any way he could) but the doctor was still concerned.

I breastfeed, so I started giving him a sippy cup of formula with his meals and amazingly he liked it and drank it. I think that did the trick, because when we went in for a weight check a month later he had gained 8 ounces and the doctor said all was well.

Since you're already formula feeding you could ask your doctor about high calorie formula -- I know there is a way to enrich for babies who are having issues with weight gain. Did your doctor give you any suggestions, or just say "he's too skinny" and nothing else? How are you supposed to help a problem if the doctor doesn't give you any direction?

Answer 4

I guess the solution would be to offer him as many calorie-rich foods as possible? But that doesn't seem like it would be setting him up for healthy eating habits in the future...

Is he very tall and very thin, or just small all around?

I think if he's happy and healthy and active and seems to be eating a well-rounded diet, even if he's not eating huge amounts, I'd seek a second opinion. And I'd ask for some specific suggestions about what you should be feeding him, if they concur with the first doctor.

My 15 month old is 24 pounds, and she's in the 90th percentile for weight, so I'm surprised your doctor thinks this is a problem. Unless perhaps your baby was gaining steadily and has stopped?

Answer 5

My son was the same way. Not a big eater, very active and chicken legs. He has a sister a year older who was a total rollie pollie. Don't worry about it. Active babies burn up the calories faster and babies, like all people, come in all shapes and sizes. If you're confident that he's eating properly, as it sounds like he is, there's no cause for concern. Not all babies have squishy legs and chubby tummies. Offer the foods, if he's hungry he'll eat. My son's 11 now and still long and lanky. There's nothing wrong with that! (He was 5.l2 and 20 1/2" at birth)

Answer 6

I have a 9 month old baby an he weighs 18 lbs 8 oz., his doctor isn't concern about the weight, nor me, he eats well and is happy. Mine too was born small,, 5lbs 15oz., and had acid reflux.
May be if you try to put some cereal in his formula.

Answer 7

Weight alone is not the only determinant of health. If your child is playing, active, alert, eating when hungry, and having regular bowel movements - what more do you want?

Ask your doctor WHY he's concerned about your child's weight - is he prone to health problems that extra weight would help him with? Is he unusually tall, and the doc is concerned about a lack of "baby fat?"

Has he gained weight rather steadily ( 14 pounds in 9 months sounds just fine to me) since birth?

Unless he's failing to "thrive," it sounds like you have an alarmist doc.

Answer 8

I dont think I would worry about it very much. My son was born 8 lbs 1 ounce and 22 inches tall and at 9 months was 19 lbs 8 ounces and 29 inches tall and his doctor never once acted concerned. But, if you are concerned why not consult a growth chart and check his percentiles.

Answer 9

Your baby is just fine!!!
there are alot of supersize babies out there.......which could be a risk factor for obesity when the baby grows up!
what is your doctor talking about?!!

This is the guidelin for a healthy growing baby,


Weight gain of 4-7 ounces (112-200 grams) a week during the first month
An average of 1-2 pounds (1/2 to 1 kilogram) per month for the first six months
An average of one pound (1/2 kilogram) per month from six months to one year
Babies usually grow in length by about an inch a month (2.5c.m.) during the first six months, and around one-half inch a month from six months to one year.

Answer 10

Don't worry about it. My baby girl didn't hit 20 pounds until she was about 14 months old. By "fattening up" your baby, you're doing him more harm than good, by teaching him to overeat. I'm surprised that a medical professional would tell you to do something like this. 19 pounds at 9 months old isn't outside the realm of normal. I think in this situation, it is best to ignore the advice of your doctor.