14 week old gaining weight very slowly. Won't take bottle. Not sure what to do?

[Elsy]

My 14 week old DD has always been slow to gain weight (no more than 6 oz a week and has only put on 3lb since birth) but has slowed down to just 3-4 oz a week for the past 3 to 4 weeks. She totally refuses to take a bottle (have tried every teat/position/time of day)so can't top her up with formula. Have now resorted to waking her for a dream feed at 10ish. This is particularly galling as she had recently started to sleep 6.30pm until 3ish, allowing me to get some much needed sleep. Has anyone else with exclusively BF baby had problems with weight gain? I'm worried putting on so little weight will affect her physical development.

[Twinklemegan]

I'm sure other people who know much more than me will be along soon, but I understand the usual advice is that any weight gain, even if it's slow, is a good thing. Your daughter is probably just always going to gain less weight less quickly than some other babies. I'm sure it won't affect her development - I presume she seems fine in every other way?

[MrsBadger]

is she chirpy and happy with plenty of wet and dirty nappies?

[moondog]

6 oz a week sounds bloody great!
Why are youy worried?
If she needs to put on weight (aLTHOUGH DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT) YOU JUST NEED TO FEED HER MORE-FROM THE BREAST.

[Clayhead]

Yes, my exclusively BF baby struggled with weight gain.

She is now a big lump of a 5 year old

She crawled along the lower centiles for ages (I had the usual comments from HVs about how small she was and how I should top up etc.), was a small toddler and then just started to grow and grow when she was about 4. She is now a very average size when compared to the rest of her class.

Hope this is in some way reassuring.

[RachL]

My dd is 15 wks and gaining even more slowly - only 1lb 8oz since birth (but she did start out big ). I'm exclusively bf and she is refusing bottles (have a drawful!). Fortunately the HVs have been reasonably laid back as she looks healthy and happy and is doing all the right things developmentally. Still stressing me out though - plan to start weaning at 4mths (HV agrees) and will be trying to get her on to a cup instead of bottle. I think she is just not a hungry baby...

[BizzyDint]

offer bf more often. no need for top ups, that's very old fashioned. if she's always been a slow gainer then that's just how she is. it doesn't matter as along as she's ok generally. you don't actually have to have her weighed at all you know. would you still be worried if you didn't know her weight?

[pinkdolly]

Hiya, My dd is 8 months old and excl b/f since birth. Her weight gain has always been slow and she has now dropped completly off the charts. Last weight 3 weeks ago at 12lbs 15 oz. She tends to put on about 7oz a month.
But she is happy and active and I am sure she will catch up. I agree with Bizzy, try to offer the breast more if you can.

And dont worry am sure your lo is fine, just small and perfectly formed