EBF 5 month old labelled failure to thrive

[Littlesushirolls]

This is my first time posting after spending months reading through other people's threads. Finally feeling so stressed have decided to reach out for advice. My 21 week old has been slow to gain weight from around 3 weeks, with an average gain of 4 oz per week. He's gradually been slipping down the charts ( he only started on the 2nd centile - 5lb14 born) & after a month where he gained nothing at all he's right off the bottom of the chart & has been labelled failure to thrive (horrible term). He is under paediatrics for other issues with his spine so they have called in a community nurse who has advised early, high calorie weaning. I'm very reluctant to start weaning before 6 months, especially as I did BLW with dd1. Has anyone else got any advice/ experiences of this at all? He's a fairly smiley, happy little boy & so far meeting milestones. He's also off the bottom of the chart for his length so kind of in proportion. He just looks little not scrawny. Any ideas/ thoughts welcome. Thanks

:( :( - I agree about the horrible term, sushi, and it's out of date anyway. Current phrase is 'faltering growth' and this is what should have been used (been current for many years now). You could point this out next time you see the HCPs and explain how crap the old phrase is, and its effects on parents.

It sounds like (apart from this) that you are having individualised and attentive care....your baby is not 'too young' for solids, because provision is made in research-based guidance for earlier weaning when health-related issues seem to require it. A calorie-dense, carefully-controlled weaning diet may well be what he needs, alongside continued and frequent breastfeeding - he may not need huge amounts and it need not interfere with his bf.

I am not a doctor or nutrition expert at all, but I do know about breastfeeding, and weaning :)

It sounds as if all he needs is a few extra calories every day, and honestly, there is very little evidence that a few weeks under 6 mths will make any health difference at all. The real concern about weaning is when babies go onto solids when they show no signs of actually needing them - and from what you say, I don't think this applies to your ds.

Thankyou so much for this. I was just worried that he would be filling up on less nutritious & lower calorie food eg: baby rice, purée apple & then not want so much breast milk. I know it was suggested to add cream & butter to everything but a bit worried about allergies as he already has eczma & at one point thought it may have been due to my dairy intake (although not so sure now). I had hoped to do (high calorie) BLW with him but obviously don't want to put his health at risk for the sake of my principles & dislike of mush!

Whilst there is evidence that early weaning can increase allergies, there is insufficient evidence to say that late weaning (ie 26 weeks) will reduce these.

How about healthy high calorie weaning a little bit earlier than 26 weeks eg avocado, banana, roasted butternut squash/veggies?

You also might want to ask for a referral to a dietitian for advice re: weight gain.

Well, I have tried a bit of spoon feeding which really does feel odd & not quite right and I'm really not sure how half a teaspoon of sweet potato is going to fatten littl one up but I am trying. He seems fairly indifferent to it - not

Oops- pressed the wrong button then! He doesnt seem particularly inspired or excited by food so far but hasn't been traumatised either which I guess is a step on from the bottle which seriously distresses him. I just don't feel that he's really ready as he is gagging on purée and at one point vomited which included most of his milk feed (which if I had stuck with my instincts would be still inside his belly!) will persevere though. He was weighed today and has gained 3oz per week so at least things are no longer static.

Hi. I am feeling seriously stressed since my last post. He is just not interested in eating and will only really take a tiny amount from my fingers but that's about it. HAve tried finger foods too but not really grasping that either (so far).

Had another plateau with his weight (he does have a cough snd cold) and the CN started mentioning hospital admissions if things don't improve. Just spoken to my HV who started talking about chronic illnesses and brain development & said he shld be showing interest in food by now. Although my rational head knows loads of little ones who didn't get into food until they were 9 months - a year. My HV is usually very supportive and did say it wouldnt matter if he was "thriving". So all in all feeling a bit rubbish and hating the way that bringing up my baby has become so medicalised and everybody elses business.

Have been referred to dietician who I'm due to see next week but not sure what they can do if he just isn't interested in eating. Any ideas/ experiences would be great to hear right now.

Sorry I can't add anything but I am bumping this for you

@Littlesushirolls I know this is so old but I was wondering what happened with your child in the end as I'm going through a very similar thing and it's scaring me so much :( thanks xx