And here we go again... now DD isn't following the centiles line

6 replies

CorrieDale · 04/10/2007 19:16

I had all this with DS (now 2.3 and active, healthy and slim). It seems that history is going to repeat itself.

DD is 3 months and has reflux, which Gaviscon seems to be controlling She's a placid, happy, sweet baby - smiling, laughing, gurgling, and meeting all her gross motor milestones. But she's not gaining weight according to the HV's chart. Or indeed (for I checked this morning) according to the WHO breastfeeding charts. In fact, she's fallen out of the WHO one altogether (mostly because her weight gain from weeks 2 to 7 was terrible owing to the reflux (a mere 3 oz)).

To me, she appears to be thriving. And the HV only looks worried about her once the scales have been wielded. The HV will be back in 4 weeks - I am trying to up DD's feeds in the meantime and drink more fluids - and if DD still isn't gaining fast enough there'll be a referral to the GP, who will no doubt pass the buck to a paed, and I have no idea how to stop all this. Last time, I just stopped going to clinic but DS was 6 months by then, and this time the HVs actually make an appt with you at your own house so it's a bit tricky to just say 'I'm not coming anymore'. And I'm also concerned that they'll mark me down as a crappy mother (who makes crappy milk, obviously) and pester me even more. And I'm just pissed off with the whole thing. Aaargh.

OP posts:

ib · 04/10/2007 19:29

Beware paying too much attention to the WHO charts on the basis that they are for bf babies, there are very serious questions about the methodology used.

However, if the reflux is causing ftt there are much better meds than Gaviscon that can be used. Ds had bad reflux and ftt, within a week of going on omeprazole and metoclopramide he started gaining 2-300g per week. He has now caught up and surpassed his birth percentile and is really thriving.

So it may be worth seeing if the paed thinks it's worth trying something a bit better than Gaviscon?

Sorry about the disjointed post, bfing so have the use of one hand only!

moondog · 04/10/2007 20:21

Bumping for yuo Corrie.
No expert but if there is an issue it is obviously with the reflux and not with the b/feeding.
Keep a hold of that.

hickorydickory · 04/10/2007 21:21

Hi Corrie

My ds also has reflux, diagnosed at 3 months and was putting on a measly 2 oz per week until then before he started gaviscon and ranitidine.

He's now 7.5 months, was last weighed at 6 months and had just doubled his birthweight to 16lb 7. People keep commenting that he is tiny, but I think he is just going to be long and lean like his dad as opposed to chubby.

I'm ff and he's been cutting his milk down dramatically, he's never really liked it (or the bf!) so I'm beside myself at the thought of weight loss. But he seems happy enough with loads of energy and I just make sure I offer him plenty of milk / food. H/V has never really worried about his weight, says he'l make it up later and as long as he seems bright / plenty of energy / sleeping ok not to worry too much

not sure if this will really help, but just wanted you to know I understand your worries

hickorydickory · 04/10/2007 21:21

Hi Corrie

My ds also has reflux, diagnosed at 3 months and was putting on a measly 2 oz per week until then before he started gaviscon and ranitidine.

not sure if this will really help, but just wanted you to know I understand your worries

hickorydickory · 04/10/2007 21:22

whoops!

Gingerbear · 04/10/2007 21:28

No answers corriedale, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone. DS is 4.5 months and has reflux, BF and on gaviscon. He has dropped from 25th to 9th centile, but has steadied out on 9th. HV not concerned and told me to carry on BF and with gaviscon. BUT - no home visits unlike yours.

I thought you could refuse home visits from HV?

Anyway - search for NBG's posts on reflux - some useful advice she had IIRC.

Flip