To think Doctor should be more worried about babies weight loss?

[SmallYetMighty]

Ds 11 months is small and always has been but in the last 4 weeks he has lost what I would consider a large amount of weight.

Naturally I rang the GP and queried this and after waiting all day today for a doctors appointment he was seen tonight at half 5 and they are not even remotely concerned. The GP even said his weight wasn't low for his age.

Last month he was - 17lb 2oz
Yesterday exactly 4 weeks later he is now - 15lb 7oz

He has been cruising for over a month and has been crawling for several months and whilst not noticeably much more active, I'd say he is always on the go.

He eats really well, 3 good meals (mixture of blw and spoon fed) and 2 snacks plus he has 2 bottles a day.

I don't think I'd be as worried if he had lots of weight to lose but he wasn't very heavy before losing the weight.

Am I right to think they should be more concerned or is the GP right to say he's fine and the amount of weight he has lost is nothing to worry about?

If the weight loss coincides with the cruising I would probably put it down to that but just keep an eye

Why did you weight him OP?

@rabbitheadlights

If the weight loss coincides with the cruising I would probably put it down to that but just keep an eye

He's been cruising for about 6-7 weeks. Whilst it is fairly recent, he's also upped how proficient he is at getting food into his mouth rather than on the floor during that time so I wouldn't expect it to have had such a huge impact on his weight.

Why did you weight him OP?

I've been keeping track each month solely to fill in his baby book. Thought I might as well as there's not much else to do in the pandemic.

OP do you chart his weight? Has he gone across more than two centile lines? If not then all is well- it's natural to fluctuate especially when they get on the move. If so then contact your health visitors perhaps?

A child of that age should never LOSE weight. Drop centiles maybe, but not actively get lighter. Please keep a very careful eye on him, and straight back to a different GP if he loses any more.

Has he gone across more than two centile lines?

He was approaching nearly at the 9th centile at 6 months but now hes just above the 0.4th.

A child of that age should never LOSE weight.

That was my understanding which is why I was so baffeld about the GPs lack of concern.

Are your scales accurate?

I'd weigh again, are your scales any good?

How is he in himself? What is your gut instinct other than the weight?

@InTheLongGrass

A child of that age should never LOSE weight. Drop centiles maybe, but not actively get lighter. Please keep a very careful eye on him, and straight back to a different GP if he loses any more.

This is what I thought as well. If you like your Health Visitor I’d speak to them, otherwise I’d ask a different GP for a second opinion.

It might be worth speaking to your health vistor. That is a lot of weight to lose. You would normally expect weight gain to slow when baby starts walking/cruising

@RedHelenB

Are your scales accurate?

Scales are fine, they are digital ones that we've used each month. I tested and weighed a new bag of sugar and it was accurate.

It might be worth speaking to your health vistor

I did try and get in touch twice today but her phone juat rang out.

As another posted I was under the impression a baby shouldn't lose any weight.

I'd keep trying health visitor, if she doesn't answer do you have a number for the team office to speak to the duty worker?

What centile is he for height?
I’m thinking that if it’s more than for weight it adds to your argument.

I’d also push to see someone though, for any weight loss.

Is he following his line in his growth chart in his red book?

How is he in himself? What is your gut instinct other than the weight?

Appologies I missed this comment. He seems fine in himself. No change in temperament and no illness or anything. I wasn't concerned until I weighed him.

if she doesn't answer do you have a number for the team office to speak to the duty worker?

I have no other number unfortunately, just one for the health visitors mobile.

What centile is he for height?

I would have to double check as I've not measured his height in a while but he's quite a long baby.

With a drop from 9th centile to 0.4 you need to see a paediatrician. Insist and if necessary change Gp.

@Waveysnail

Is he following his line in his growth chart in his red book?

He's been flitting between the 2nd and the 9th which seemed fine but now he's just above the 0. 4 line.

With a drop from 9th centile to 0.4 you need to see a paediatrician.

The GP didn't make any suggestion about needing further action or investigation. Like I said in my OP he even commented that his weight was fine for his age.

I think HV appointment initially. How are you weighing him on bathroom scales if he's not yet standing independently? Your method may be adding in discrepancies. Also your scales are going to be less accurate in their readings than regularly calibrated medical scales. My bathroom scales vary depending where in the room they are (so naturally I weigh myself with them on the tile that reads lowest!).

I think HV appointment initially. How are you weighing him on bathroom scales if he's not yet standing independently?

Unfortunately I cant get hold of the health visitor. Her number just rings out and there's no option to leave a message.

The scales are digital baby scales. He was weighed lying down on them and sitting on them and both times the weights were the same.

I think you should make another gp apt for a second opinion.

As far as I know baby's that age should never be losing weight. I'd call HV too.

Yes definitely get a second opinion, that is a huge dip in centiles!

Go back to go or ask to see a different go. If you are concerned then yell at professionals until you get a satisfactory answer.

Dr not go!