Failure to thrive. What can I do?

[belindarose]

I thought we were doing so well with EBF. No pain, baby settled and sleeping well, alert, smiley etc.

However, he has been dropping through the centile lines and is now around 2nd having been born 95th. He has put on 5oz in the last 25 days (coinciding with when I really thought feeding was going particularly well). HV has declared him 'failing to thrive' and is referring to a paediatrician. Exactly the same happened with DD, now 3. Her chart looked identical.

What can I do? I've posted before about lack of advice and support here and there is nobody I trust at all. Immediately after seeing HV this afternoon, I saw the Breastfeeding support worker from the children's centre. She's given me poor advice before, but I spoke to her anyway. She told me not to switch sides as he was getting too much, to eat more protein and to drink more fluids myself. I know this isn't helpful.

What could be causing 'failure to thrive' in a seemingly well and appropriately developing baby? Even as I was waiting to see HV, people were commenting on how alert he was for his age. I think he's growing in length as I can tell from his clothes.

My confidence is sinking fast. The implication that I'm doing something wrong isn't helping.

Belinda.... It never rains.... I hope your mastitis clears up ASAP.

I don't know how to feel or what to think now.

Have had a visit from lovely lactation consultant today. She felt he had lots of problems with his tongue, but most probably not tongue tie. She recommended an osteopath who we've already been to see today. The osteopath didn't give the impression that she found anything to suggest feeding problems.

Just feeling really down now. I knew there wouldn't be a magic cure. I'm expressing when I can, although DS won't take the EBM from a bottle, and LC advised to top up with this.

DH (a Dr) thinks osteopathy is a load of nonsense and that I wasted time and effort by taking him there.

Just read that and it doesn't make sense. I mean she found his tongue movements to be 'disorganised' and that he has to work too hard to get the milk and stay latched on. This tires him out and he doesn't get the full feed.

I share your DH's scepticism, belinda.

Then we are left with the possibility that your baby is fine and is just growing more slowly, yes?

Would you be ok about accepting that and living with it?

Sorry - X posted. I see the lactation person said he had a disorganised suck.

I know nothing about that sort of thing, sorry.

Yes, I think so tiktok.

I was clutching at straws today. Surprised myself by going to the osteopath.

Sje

Hi belinda, I completely understand , I too felt the same after seeing LC. We went to osteopath too and it has made bugger all difference. We were told the same thing about disorganised suck, did she tell you how to go about solving that other than seeing osteopath? Have you had your app through yet?

My 9 month old little boy is failing to thrive he’s not gaining weight he’s only gained 1lb in 3 months the doctor has just ordered blood test but I’m so worried he’s a fussy eater anyway and I’m giving him all high calorie food he will often refuse some meals and also bottles he probably drinks about 25oz a day and maybe only to meals all together throughout the day and that’s on a good day any advice welcome

My 6/7 month old boy is now failure to thrive. Just looking for a bit of positivity, feeling quite anxious/nervous about all this. Any success stories on here?

Hi my little boy was about the same age when I discovered he was f.t.t although it’s took about 6/7 months he’s finally starting to gain weight slowly some months he dosnt but but he also dosnt lose any weight keep at it you will get there my little boy is now 16months and still small just going into 9-12 months clothes size but he’s happy and healthy