My baby is underweight?

Question

I am worried so I am wondering if this has happened to anyone.My daughter was 8,2 when she was born and at her 2 week check up she was under her birth weight.The doctor said it could be because she sucks so hard she is burning more calories than she is getting,my daughter would take 10 min to drink half an ounce and my doctor said she should be drinking 2 ounces in 10 min.She said for me to try a stage 2 nipple so the flow would be faster.I have my appointment on Tuesday to weigh her again to see if she has gained any weight.She has been drinking better since I changed the nipple,but I am still worried.How much should she be drinking,she is 3 weeks today.She drinks 3 ounces sometimes 2 at other times.Any thoughts would be great as I am a wreck

Answer 1

Hi Sweetie,
I am a mom of three and have similar experiences with all three of my boys. Currently I have a 14 month old fellow who weighs 18.5 pounds and his doctors are all over me about his being "underweght". He has consistanly been lighter than average (according to those buggary charts anyway). Both of my older boys were the same way. Right from the start they dropped weight and then gained slowly. Every appointment I went to was the same. "underweight" and every where I go I hear "oh, he is such a little peanut"!!!! My older boys are now 10 and 7 years and are as hearty and healthy as can be and are healthy weights for their ages. Because of this I am not worried about my 1 year old. Babies all grow at their own pace, no matter what we try. You are on the right track with the easier flow nipple. Please dont worry yourself into a state unless the doctor says there is a serious problem. Chances are your wee lass will grow hearty and healthy in no time, even if she remains a "peanut" Love to you

Answer 2

Babies will lose weight the first week, but after that, they need to gain 1/2 an ounce a day. I had to use size 2 nipples for my baby from the beginning. It sounds like she is drinking about the right amount, but every baby is different. As long as you changed the nipple size and feed her everytime she is hungry, she should be fine.

Best of luck

Answer 3

As long as you are feeding her when she is hungry that is good.

Usually infants drink a lot of milk and she will put on the weight, because you changed the nipple your baby should do well.

To test the nipple of the bottle, squeeze it to see how much milk is coming out of the nipple, it should be a steady stream. You do no want the milk gushing out nor do you want to have to squeeze it just to get a few drops.

How many times within a 24 hour period does she drink 3 or 2 ounces.

You should keep a log of when she drinks and how much. This way the next time you see your pediatrician, you will be able to show your log.

Answer 4

8,2 is quite a big birth weight so it is difficult to stay at that weight.
My first daughter was 8,14 at birth which is about the 90th percentile. By the time she was 6 months her weight was only at the 45th percentile. The child health nurse tried to get me all worried about it and said I needed to see a specialist BUT my daughter is now 7 and perfectly healthy. The fact is, she was born a big baby but she is meant to be tall and thin so couldn't keep her weight on 90th percentile. She looks perfect. The child health nurse was only looking at the chart without taking into consideration that particular baby.
Don't worry yet - every baby is different . Does she look healthy to you?

Answer 5

Every baby loses some weight at their two week check-up. It's normal. They will gain it back in a matter of days. Don't worry.