My DS has lost weight :(

[PeanutButter99]

DS is 22 weeks. He was weighed when I took him to get his 16 week injections and he was over the 50th centile. I only took him to get weighed today as it was so long ago. I wasn't worried or felt I needed to see the health visitor.
But he is lighter now than he was then . He is now between the 9th and 25th centile. He seems happier and alert and he is already in 6-9 month clothes.
I introduced solids 2 weeks ago as he was always hungry and had been waking in the night for feeds when he hadn't before.
He is bf but also receives formula when I'm at work.
He'll have 3 8oz bottles during the day and porridge with fruit (a decent helping!) and then I'll feed him maybe 3 or 4 times aswell.
He seems hungry all the time! He loves his porridge and grabs boob or milk with both hands when he sees he's about to be fed. If I gave him a steak dinner I'm sure he's eat that too . He also loves sweet potato and I'm going to try carrots soon.
Anyway, should I be worried? What can I do to increase his weight?
He's fed on demand btw.
Thanks

Peanut, just wanted to say that I haven't got any experience of this but hopefully someone will be along soon to help you

What advice were you given? A baby losing weight should always be looked at to rule out lots of the reasons why this could happen.

If a baby is hungry they need milk, milk and more milk. Waking for night feeds at this age is normal. It's a time of a big growth/development spurt.

I think a baby losing weight is something you need professional advice about. But personally, I'd be relying more on milk than solids to provide the calories at this time.

I have no quals or experience but is it possible he is filling up on solids when he needs the more calorie rich milk?

My first move would be to cut the solids and increase milk intake. Nothing that you are giving him - sweet potato or fruit - has got anything like the calories of milk, so he is filling up on the wrong things.

My second move would be to make an appointment to take him to the GP asap and get him properly looked at. It is common for BF babies to plateau weight-wise at around this age, but actually losing weight is a concern that needs addressing.

Agree with AliBell.

The porridge is in addition to the milk. He has it after his milk feeds and wants another milk feed 2 hours later.
The health visitor didn't seem too worried. She just said to come back and get him weighed next month.
Should I be worried?
I've been back at work now for 6 weeks and am expressing at lunch time. Maybe my milk supply isn't giving him enough? But then he's fed bottles 4 times a week and he's with me 3 times a week. I even give him a bottle of formula.

But if he didn't have the porridge/fruit etc then he would have more milk, which if his weight is struggling is what you want him to be having.

It is v.normal for them to want to feed more regularly again at this age, I know that DS did - we were back to almost newborn regularity until he hit 6 months and he was weaned onto proper food - carbs, protein etc that are calorie dense. We were several weeks into weaning before he really decreased the amount of milk he was taking at all.

In your position I would be going to the GP, if only for reassurance, because if there is something wrong then waiting another month is not ideal.

I think the simple answer is to put him to the breast more often in place of solidssolids, and this will give him the calories he needs plus enhance your milk supply. But the advice to see your GP is sound.

:(
my dd's weight plateaud at this age too. In terms of density of calories - bm is the best then formula then solids (at least any solids you can give pre 6 months especially fruit or veg which although fun and nice are mostly water). So increase milk intake whether breast or formula. If hv not too concerned then I'd try not to panic as they have seen ds and think he looks healthy. No gp worth their salt would mind checking him too.

Thanks everyone. I'll keep my eye on him and increase his milk intake. I don't think I'll take him to the GP yet. I popped in to see mine when I was seeing the health visitor and she commented on how well and happy he looked.
My DH told me not to worry. He says DS is pefectly well and he says he seems heavier. It's getting harder to carry him in his car seat! Maybe the last result was off?
By the way, at what age do they move to the next stage car seat?

Peanut, don't think the carseat is an age thing as they all differ in size. Moved mine on when couldn't fit in the old one anymore