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Original poster

Very small baby

26 replies

Taystee · 12/09/2014 19:47

My DS is 12.5 months old and isn't quite double his birth weight. He was born on the 75th centile and after tracking the 25th centile for a while, then the 9th, he has now fallen to the 2nd. He's also 2nd centile for height. Health visitors never seem concerned about it. I'm average sized and DH is taller than average. Would you be worried if this were your baby?

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hollie84 · 12/09/2014 19:50

Has he been referred to a doctor at all? Usually they would if they go down 2+ centiles.

3pigsinblanketsandasausagerole · 12/09/2014 19:50

I think I would be seeking advice?

blueberryboybait · 12/09/2014 19:54

My 7lb 10oz at birth baby didn't double her birth weight until she was nearly 18 months old. She dropped right down the centiles but was happy, active, eating loads and growing so they weren't that worried. She was also very short and in 3-6 month clothing. She is now a healthy happy 5 year old who is as tall as her friends and a healthy weight. She suddenly grew at about 4.5 and we have had to buy her a new wardrobe of clothing after the other stuff lasted nearly 18 months!

CocktailQueen · 12/09/2014 19:58

Yes, definitely seek advice. Is he well, happy, active? Plenty of wet and dirty nappies? Does he eat well?

Original poster
Taystee · 12/09/2014 20:04

He seems very healthy, bright and full of smiles. Not quite walking yet but has been crawling for a long time and is extremely active. I've always heard that about the two centiles so surprised we haven't been referred... Just told to get him weighed again in a couple of months (he has had a bug recently) When he eats well he eats really really well but then has off days where he refuses everything given. Still bf 3x a day too.

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Original poster
Taystee · 12/09/2014 20:06

That's good to hear about your girl blueberry. Maybe there's hope for him yet!

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hollie84 · 12/09/2014 20:07

I'd ask for a paed referral to put your mind at rest if nothing else.

Original poster
Taystee · 12/09/2014 20:13

Do you think it'd be worth giving it a month in light of recent illness? Two months seems a long time to wait. Or should I try to get an appointment ASAP?

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hollie84 · 12/09/2014 20:15

75th to 2nd is a big drop. Personally I'd want him checked out sooner rather than later (and I say that as someone whose 1st born dropped from 75th to 25th and is fine).

tmae · 12/09/2014 23:40

I'm sure he is fine and is growing at his own pace but I would definitely get him checked out to be sure of that.

PickledLilly · 12/09/2014 23:46

Mine dropped from 50th at birth to 0.4th. She was referred to a paediatrician but they concluded that she just had high calorie needs and advised fast tracking weaning and to try to feed high calorie/fat food. She's settled out at 2nd centile now and seems fine, little and skinny but happy and healthy. I am surprised they haven't referred you but perhaps they just want to monitor for a while longer. I had to take DD to be weighed every two weeks for months whilst they checked that her weight was stabilising.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/09/2014 17:12

Yes, if your baby drops 2 centiles, ie from the 50th to the 9th they need investigating. Please see your GP and insist on a referral. Good luck.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/09/2014 17:15

Are you bfing after solids now? Could you add olive oil to his food or things like mascarpone?

Things like salmon and avocado are high in good fats so should help to boost his calorie intake.

plentyofshoes · 13/09/2014 19:49

My ds was always small (prem) and fell off the chart. After much harassment on my part he finally got a referal which found nothing to be wrong.
He is 5 now and is on the 9th centile and average height.
He is just slim Smile

Original poster
Taystee · 13/09/2014 20:16

Thanks for all the advice. Have decided to book an appointment with the GP.

I do try to make sure he is eating high calorie foods so for breakfast he would have eggs, or cashew nut butter on toast and banana, greek yoghurt etc. He has cheese for snacks. I am not into low-fat cooking myself so will use a generous amount of olive oil when roasting veggies etc. Sometimes he absolutely loves his food (though he tends to only like feeding himself with his hands) but since his recent illness he is being very fussy. I made lamb shanks with mash (plenty of butter) and carrots the other evening and he normally likes all of those things but he would only eat the carrots.

I'm back at work now so tend to bf when he wakes up and before bed only with one additional feed overnight so I don't think the milk should be affecting his eating.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/09/2014 20:59

I wouldn't worry about the bfing, its a good way of getting fat and protein into him and bfing is recommended for a minimum of 2 years.

If he's been ill recently, was it a tummy bug? If so, it can sometimes cause temporary CMPI. It might be worth asking the GP to check his ears, throat and urine. I know someone whose DS was in the same situation and it turned out to be a urinary tract infection.

Original poster
Taystee · 13/09/2014 21:44

He had an ear infection followed by a tummy bug. That's interesting about the CMPI... Would there be any symptoms?

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/09/2014 21:51

There's some good info on CMPI here. Mine is delayed. My stomach hurts when I have anything with milk in it, although biscuits and cake are better as the cooking breaks down the protein Grin

Its usually temporary if it is the result of a tummy upset, but certainly worth ruling out.

TheannamoLeelu · 13/09/2014 22:00

Similar experience to yours, I think there are so many overweight babies in comparison that when HV see a baby like yours or mine they don't quite seem to know what to do. Well, that's my experience anyway.

My child sees the paediatricians regularly for other reasons and they've never been concerned. He's in proportion height and weight wise, happy active and alert, he's 1.5 now, started on the 75th and pretty much did as you describe now on the 2nd, he was bf too until a couple of months ago. I agree keep up with the breastfeeds, offer the food you are offering, try not to 'fatten him up' if he's in proportion with weight and height, but do go to GP and get him double checked for reassurance as well as to rule anything out.

blueBerryBoy that's reassuring!

Original poster
Taystee · 14/09/2014 19:50

It's good to hear similar stories from some of you. I feel like I only ever see big babies everywhere I go. Hopefully it won't take too long to get an appointment with the doctor

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BentleyBelly · 14/09/2014 20:22

We have a little baby too, I can empathise with you completely. My dd, 12.5mo, has not put any weight on since April. She was overweight for her height before weaning and now is between the 2nd and 9th percentile for both height and weight. She is a fussy eater and is still bf too. The hv isn't worried about her but I stress constantly and wouldn't be at all surprised if that comes across and contributes to her poor eating. I think as long as they are in proportion, healthy and have lots of energy they are fine but worth a check for your ownreassurance. Let us know how you get on.

ddas · 14/09/2014 21:56

Glad you are seeing gp. That drop warrants referral to paeds

Original poster
Taystee · 25/09/2014 09:18

Saw the gp today who said he looks healthy and in proportion with chubby thighs, belly etc and he said he doesn't think it's anything to worry about but he will speak with a pediatrician just to make sure we shouldn't be doing anything else.

His eating has been much better over the last week so hopefully he'll start gaining again, fingers crossed!

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TheannamoLeelu · 25/09/2014 11:50

Sounds good, bet you are glad you went to see GP , must have set your mind at rest

BentleyBelly · 25/09/2014 13:26

That's good news. We went to the GP about something unrelated and I mentioned her weight and we ended up with a paediatrician referral. The little monkey also chose to refuse to stand up (and doesn't crawl) so we are being monitored on her weight and reluctance to stand up. The earliest appointment we can get with the paed is 5th Dec!