Baby feeding problems...

daphne_descends

gt568 you've been asked a few questions on this thread so that people might help you, have you the time to answer them?

also what was her birth weight and what is she now?

gt568

daphne_descends wrote: »

IME health visitors are too quick too panic and often fail to look at the bigger picture.

2 oz at 8 months does not sound like a big loss. And how accurate is that anyway? Was she weighed on the same scales, at the same time of day, and were the scales static ones i.e. not moved around? Why is she being weighed monthly anyway?

It is very old-fashioned to look at weight solely as a measure of good health.

Has your daughter recently learned to roll, crawl, sit up, or even stand/cruise on the furniture? Is she teething? Has she been poorly with a cold or ear infection?

I can't comment on the scales, I wasn't there..

She is getting slightly more mobile...could be teething, not sure..she hasn't been unwell..

gt568

aligerdie wrote: »

Have you considered finger foods?

Yup, she gets finger foods...broc, carrots, cucumber ect, ect..

aligerdie

gt568 wrote: »

She's been slow to put on weight her whole life...and now she's going down over a 4 week period..thats wh yI'm worried again.

Yes, but babies are far more active at this age.

My DD2 has had problems with weight all her life, yes she was referred for tests as she put on only 7lb in 12 months, but they found nothing wrong. My health visitor was fantastic and gave me all sorts of advice to try and get her to eat. (Iwas trying to build her up for an operation)

All kids are different, but in the meantime now just make sure she's getting plenty of fluids, and if she wants to breastfeed, let her!
Whilst I know its not nice to be referred, its only a precaution, I know if I was in the same situation again, I would be happy to get my little one referred. The help and support I've had for DD2 is phenomenal, and she's coming on leaps and bounds now.

Main thing is, don't worry. If you're in the system and they're keeping an eye on her, then thats the best place to be.

aligerdie

gt568 wrote: »

Yup, she gets finger foods...broc, carrots, cucumber ect, ect..

try a few things smeared on bread or toast (full fat of course). Butter, jam, marmite, sandwich spread. Anything that can't be picked off is good.

rchddap1

My monster would always go off pretty much all food just before a tooth popped through.

Please try not to worry. Babies don't starve themselves...they want food and let us know when they do. Try not to make food stressful...its bad for you and they pick up on that also. Relax, take things as they go and if there is a referral then don't worry. They're just checking that everything is okay.

daphne_descends

It may be her increase mobility, and growth really does slow at this stage as you'll clearly see on the charts. What centile is she on - has she followed the same line from birth?

Are you or your partner on the small side?

I just don't want anyone to worry over such a small loss that may or may not be accurate in the first place.

WestonDave

One thing not to do is make a big deal of it in front of her at mealtimes - the one thing kids love is attention and if not eating means mum and dad hanging on her every mouthful stressing and fussing over her, she will quickly think this is a great wheeze and keep playing the game.

Without wishing to be too crude - 2oz is probably not far off the difference having poo'd before the weighing as opposed to after it would make so maybe that adds some perspective. OK clearly she hasn't gained any weight over a 4 week period, but our experience of our two was that they gained in fits and starts - some days you'd frantically shovel down 2 weetabix in the morning, get demands for more and even after polishing off a third there was still interest in more - a week later they'd barely finish one!

Medics love those charts - to be fair it gives them something to work on - but they are only "norms" and I've yet to meet anyone with a fully normal kid! Look on their interest as help - it can't hurt to have things checked out even though the chances are by the time you actually get to see the expert she'll be sitting in the waiting room eating her way through half of Tescos.

I can fully understand how you feel having had the sharp intake of breath from the HV when our eldest wasn't gaining enough weight - he's still a skinny little thing but that's mainly because he is on the go from the minute he wakes up until bed time. We know in our hearts that he is happy and healthy - the medics have the medical knowledge but your input as 24/7 carers also has a bearing so if your daughter is happy, healthy, alert and active don't worry too much.

gt568

daphne_descends wrote: »

It may be her increase mobility, and growth really does slow at this stage as you'll clearly see on the charts. What centile is she on - has she followed the same line from birth? Bottom centile or below since birth
Are you or your partner on the small side? No

I just don't want anyone to worry over such a small loss that may or may not be accurate in the first place.

.................

gt568

aligerdie wrote: »

try a few things smeared on bread or toast (full fat of course). Butter, jam, marmite, sandwich spread. Anything that can't be picked off is good.

tried that too, she just seems to be stopping eating..