4 month old not gaining weight

[jadorecakesnbiscuits]

My daughter used to be on the top end of the 25th centile and she is now on the bottom end of the 9th.

I was EBF her for about 12 and a half weeks but was concerned about the quality of my milk because she always seemed starving, would constantly feed and then vomit like no matter how much she took in she would never be full, she rarely slept unless on the breast but I had to stop because I have a stomach problem that's causing me to not be able to eat for days sometimes.

She's now on formula and seems as happy as Larry, playing, plenty of wet nappies and is even sleeping through but she only takes 22-24 oz a day which is slightly forced! She's never hungry and only takes about 2-4 oz a time. I've tried changing her teats and formula brand from aptamil to SMA but still the same. What am I doing wrong? I'm so worried about her.

[SevenSeconds]

My DS1 dropped from 75th percentile at birth to 25th percentile at 3 months. He was EBF so not quite the same, but maybe still helpful for you to hear. He was perfectly healthy and is now a tall strong active 10yo! He's still skinny though. I think some babies are born on a percentile that is "too high" for where they are meant to be, and take a little while to settle on to the right line.

[tiktok]

Most cases that fit your description are just normal babies who naturally gain more slowly, jade :)

In healthy babies, developing normally and happy and active (as your dd is!), falling down the centiles like this is not a cause for concern....I don't know what 'top end' of 25th and 'bottom end' of 9th means, to be honest, as these are points with no bottom or top :). but falling within two centile spaces (which is what this is) is within normal limits, anyway.

What does the HV say?

[BumWad]

Just a point with the 22-24oz a day. My 23 week old DS (16 weeks corrected) takes about 20oz of formula and bm a day. I think the 'recommended' amount on the formula tubs are a load of rubbish. My DS will just not drink any more and there is no coaxing or feeding him. He is also putting on weight albeit slowly.

[BumWad]

Or FORCING

[jadorecakesnbiscuits]

The health visitor has said its a cause for concern, she's visiting weekly and we are seeing a pediatrician on Monday.

[SevenSeconds]

I know it's stressful but try not to worry. Lots of babies don't stick rigidly to their percentile. Your DD sounds perfectly healthy from your description. You might find she gains a bit of weight after starting solids, maybe she's just not that interested in milk (again, this is like my DS1, whereas some babies love their milk).

[tiktok]

It's good you're seeing the paed. I think this is likely to reassure your Hv and you. The paed will ask questions to tease out any poor parenting ( eg mother with mh issues not feeding the baby) but mainly will be looking at your dd to see she seems healthy and well and developing normally. Paed will prob do basic checks on heart and tummy as well. Might even recommend some calorie dense solids. I really hope it goes well and you can relax

[tiktok]

Correction: your dd has fallen one centile space, not two (25th to 9th is one)....so she is well within normal limits