Health visitor issues

[KK0201]

I am so stressed.

I am based in the UK so have had the standard visits from the health visitor.

My little boy was born early, via induction turned into a c section. He definitely wasn't ready to come out in my opinion but he was a lovely and healthy 6lb 3

We had some feeding issues at first, but with help and guidance from the infant feeding team we made a plan and he finally reached his birth weight again after 4 weeks.

The health visitor weighed him a fortnight ago and he was just over 6lb 3. This week she weighed him again and he had put on 12oz! I was so pleased with this! And she seemed fine, and upon seeing him didn't seem concerned until she plotted his new weight on her centile chart.

I want to note that his height, head circumference and weight are all below the centile apparently. He is a very alert, bright eyed and active baby and seems to be hitting all of his markers - he just had a bit of a slow start and needs some time to catch up. Every other professional we have seen has just said he is a small baby but she completely freaked out! Telling us that we had to call and get an urgent drs appointment there and then or take him to A&E! She made me phone them in front of her and demanded that my partner make up a bottle there and then as if we were starving our child! She just kept repeating over and over that his weight 'is going downhill', which I'm confused about as it has gone up?

We are obviously really panicked and upset. I want to note that she has no children and really doesn't seem to have any interest in them either. We called 111 as we thought that A&E was a bit drastic and we didn't want to take our six week unvaccinated child there if it wasn't warranted. 111 asked for symptoms, of which there aren't any and did not seem concerned at all, and neither did the GP.

I have written an email to express my upset at the situation and have requested another health visitor.

Has anyone here ever experienced anything like this before? I'd love any advice. We just feel like terrible parents and are questioning everything now.

Haven't experienced this but it sounds bananas. My baby was late but small (they pushed for sweep/induction - I still she think she needed longer in the oven) and took a few weeks to regain birth weight, and my HV has said that weight gain is good but head needs to catch up. She hasn't recommended me to A&E.

I think I would ask for a second opinion, ask her to explain her concerns in writing (she may be able to clarify/come to her senses) or see if you can get a new health visitor tbh - it's one thing to be cautious, but if your baby is otherwise fine, taking food and thriving, then it doesn't sound like an accident or an emergency.

Are you BFing @KK0201? Is the 12 oz weight gain after 2 weeks? If so, it’s at the lower end but still within the normal range.

Formula should also be the final option for topping up a BF baby, not the first.

She should suggest that you fit in an additional feed, top up with EBM and only if those dont work should formula be tried.

Has LO been assessed for Tongue Tie and have you had a BFC observe a full feed? Both of these might help, if nothing else she should reassure you.

I would also read How might I increase my baby’s weight gain? and Look at the baby, not the scales.