Not to be feeding my baby enough?

[MD1803]

I’m not really asking if I’m being unreasonable, but thought posting it here my question might get more views and hopefully people who have experience. My DD is 14 weeks old. She is mixed fed (breast and formula as I don’t have enough milk). In last two or three if not four weeks she is averaging some 400 - 500ml formula and expressed milk combined a day, plus what ever she get’s directly from the breast.

Up until she was 8 weeks old she was in the 50th percentile but now she slipped to between 50th and 25th. My health worker unfortunately didn’t seem to share my concern. I’m planning to make an appointment with the GP.

However, you mum’s out there what is your experience. Did anyone have their baby not eating much?

My baby was on the 50th percentile at birth. 25th percentile at 16 weeks and is now on 10th at 8 months (has been since 6 months) I have spoken to the consultant pediatrician and they are happy, everything else (hight, weight, head circumference etc are 50th percentile). I think some babies just take a bit of time to find their natural place. As long as they are eating, putting on weight, have wet/dirty nappies and are happy all should be ok. But obviously - if you are worried - ask your GP/health visitor for a check.

Thanks. Not sure if I’m reading the comment incorrectly. For what measure was your baby below the 50th percentile? Am I reading it correctly that height, weight and head circumference were all constant on the 50th percentile.

My baby’s weight slipped to the half way line between the 50th and 25th. Funny enough the head circumference at the last visit was less than at the visit before, so not sure where that actually is. I did measure it at home but I’m not a professional. But as said - the heath visitor was not filling me with confidence (someone else stepped in for the visit before as she didn’t turn up)

are you & your DH under or over the 50th centile for adults? if you are both under, it could well be that your baby is meant to be under too and she is just slipping to her natural weight.

Has she just slipped one centile line?

My baby was born just above the 50th and then fell dramatically. He now tracks the 2nd percentile line fine. I was told by everyone - GPs, midwives, health visitor - that if they fall more than two lines, that’s the cause for concern; and at that point they expect you to do anything you can to boost weight. I was asked to supplement with formula and wake him up every three hours to feed; at a maximum.We had to go to be weighed twice a week; then weekly, and finally we’re now on monthly.

If that doesn’t help to put weight on, they may prescribe a formula that helps boost weight gain, or do further investigations, and there’s a chance you’ll be asked to wean early, although that comes with it’s own issues that shouldn’t be ignored just because it used to be commonplace.

That said, do bear in mind that if you have no concerns, most babies aren’t weighed very frequently, so some slowing/loss can be absolutely normal if she gets back on track.

So long as baby is continuing to gain some weight I don’t think the GP or health visitor will be concerned about dropping one centipede line. Babies very rarely follow a line perfectly and going up or down one (then back again) is really normal.

I never really looked my weight up that way. Just did a quick google search and found a calculator (although for the US). I’m according to that on 35th and my DH on 50th. I used to be very thin (too thin really) when I was younger (38y now)

Does your baby eat? Does your baby have wet and dirty nappies regularly? Do they generally look well and seem happy? Then I wouldn't worry personally. Babies are like adults, some don't eat as much as they 'should', some eat more than they 'should'.

It isn't concerning to have 'slipped' from 50th to 25th that's why they aren't concerned.

I didn't even bother weighing DC2 beyond the first few weeks as I was happy she was drinking, weeing and pooing as expected.

The GP probably won't be concerned either.

My 15 month old was on the 98th percentile when she was born. She quickly dropped to the 50th (lost 12% of her weight in the first 10 days) and then dropped to the 25th percentile by a few months old. The thing is, she's tracked that curve ever since and is just quite petite now (just transitioning out of 9-12 month clothes). I agree with PP, sometimes babies just take a while to find their place on the curve. For whatever reason, My daughter grew really well in utero and came out big but she clearly isn't destined to be a big child - she's obviously weaned now and eats tons but has tracked the 25th percentile consistently.

Mixed feeding will deplete your supply unless you are pumping every missed feed. Boobs work on a supply and demand basis- the more you feed, the more they produce.