Poor weight gain

[catclarks]

My DD2 is now 20 weeks. She was weighed 3 weeks ago and hadn't put on any weight in 5 weeks (she was 5.24kg. Brain's too puggled to work it out in lbs.) She was weighed again today (on the same scales and without a nappy) and is only 5.26kg which is a bit of a surprise given that she seems to be guzzling for Britain. I am breastfeeding and through the day she feeds every 2-3 hours, down to bed at 6.30 -7, up at 11 for a feed, and then sleeps until 6. There are no obvious signs that there is anything wrong - she's happy between feeds, sleeps well and is generally very content (has to be with her big brother and sister around!). Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts/suggestions

Thanks

Mmm is she now rolling over and becoming more mobile? My ds went for a few weeks without putting on weight at about 16-22 weeks due to him rolling and trying to crawl. At this age they tend to be over the growth spurts and burning loads of calories impressing you with all their new skills!

Do the HV seem concerned? Mine weren't bothered at all as ds was always a guzzler and always a BIG baby anyway.

How much was she at birth? And has her weight gain previously been consistant? If so and she seems happy then I wouldn't worry, they all slow down at some point.

If you know she is feeding fine and she is pooing/ weeing regularly and seems happy then I'm sure she's fine!

Thanks Meandmyjoe. Given that she is a happy and content baby, I wouldn't have worried about a thing had I not put her on the scales. A nurse from the practice came out to weigh her this morning and told me not to worry too much about it and she would speak to the HV next Tuesday when HV is back from her holiday. However, when I got back in this afternoon there was a message to call her back, but I was home to late to call her. I'm not a worrier and I wouldn't have thought too much about it, but obviously the nurse has been concerned enough about it to speak to someone else.

DD2 was average size when born (7lb 10) but slow to get started, as was DD1. She's gradually been dropping down from the 50th centile and is now at the lower end of the 2nd. She's not rolling over but does seem to be a very wriggly girl (she's going to be trouble once she's up on her feet!). My gut feeling is that she is fine, but I now have a niggling thought that something might be up.

Ahhh the niggling feeling?! I know exactly what you mean, all part of being a mummy I suppose! It's natural to worry but if she seems content then she is obviously feeding enough and she won't waste away!

I'd deffinitely talk to your health visitor and voice your 'niggling feelings' as it's better to be on the safe side. I don't want to trivialise these things but I do think that far too much emphasis is put on weight gain and not the overall well being of a baby. Some babies are just smaller than others, or late bloomers! As long as she's not losing weight and is steadily growing and getting stronger then this is all that matters.

For what it's worth, my ds has always been a whinge bag, very grouchy and grunts a lot, but because he has always been big and looks chubby and healthy, the doctors refused to look into anything medical such as reflux/ allergies. I ended up having to change doctors and the new one immediately prescribed Gaviscon infant to settle his tummy and sooth any acid.

What I mean is, the slow weight gain is not necessarilly a sign of anything being 'wrong', especially since you say she is a 'wriggler' so has bags of energy and is happy. Don't worry!