Can being an active 12 week old slow down growth?

[Morgie87]

My 12 week old boy was weighed this morning and after going to the HV 2 weeks ago he only gained 6oz. He is now on the lower part of the 25th centile which he dropped into about 2/3 weeks ago after dropping a feed thru the night. He is extremely active, waving arms and legs etc and is very alert. Is this anything to be concerned about or can all the wriggling around burn up energy hence the slow weight gain? Look forward to your thoughts.

My DS was on the 25th centile at birth, but quickly dropped to 9th and stayed there ever since. There’s nothing wrong with being on a lower centile. However, if he dropped two or more, or drops further, this would be looked at. What was he at birth and 6weeks? Which centile is he for height?

Moving lots and being active is very, very good! It's him doing exactly what he should to strengthen those muscles. Trust his development, and don't restrict or stop him from doing that!

It's normal to move to a different centile in the first few months. From what I understand, birth weight is determined at least in part from how effectively the placenta was working, but then once out they move to their genetically determined centile.

As a pp said you only need to worry if they drop 2 or more lines, since that might indicate that there's something stopping them from developing the way they should.

And to set your mind further at rest, the very fact that he's so active is reassuring!

Thanks so much for your reply’s it’s really reassuring. He originally in the 25th but now on the 9th but in the last week he gained weight by 7oz which is great. Appears to be going through a growth spurt and the early stages of teething. It is very reassuring as he so happy all the time and looks super excited and wriggly most of the day!

He sounds perfect OP