Formula fed baby dropping centiles

[BQ91]

Hi,
my LO is 7 weeks old. When she was born she was on the 50th centile and then dropped to 25th at 2 weeks and now is in between the 25th and the 9th. I know it isn’t that significant but it’s just stressing me out because I am doing everything I can to get enough formula down her. She had a tongue tie divided a few weeks ago but hasn’t made any difference. She will take little feeds little and often. Health visitor said to weigh her again in a month. Have tried to look online on what the causes could be but looks like it’s only EBF babies who drop centiles. Has anyone got any experience of this? Feel like I’m failing her.

Has she regained birth weight? What sort of build are you and baby's dad?

It can be that some babies are born bigger than they 'should' be because the placenta does such a good job. They then settle on a lower percentile once out.

Feeding little and often is fine and normal newborn behaviour. Feed on demand and don't worry about a feed schedule just yet.

See what happens at the next weigh in. It might be that she will settle on the 25th. They can dip below lines if they've just done a huge poo or are going through a growth spurt at the time.

Try not to worry just yet.

She regained her birth weight at 2 weeks. I’m 5ft 5 and size 8/10 and dad is 5ft 11 and medium build. Our eldest who is 18 months is on the 75th centile so we were expecting the same with her! I had gestational diabetes during pregnancy so not sure if that’s why she was bigger? Thank you for replying!

That could explain it too if you had GD, she might have been born bigger than her genetics would suggest.

Siblings can be so different as well. My eldest is the definition of lanky but my youngest is more in proportion.

Thank you I will try not to worry just yet then!

@BQ91 the same thing happened with my little girl, she was born on the 26th centile, dropped to the 25th and then dropped to the tenth, she has now steadily stayed at the 10th centile. My health visitor said this sometimes happens but everything is fine as long as they then stay steadily going along the same centile x

That’s so reassuring to hear thank you x

My nephew was born at quite a heavy weight and similarly dropped centiles. He is now 12 and on the smaller, slimmer side. He was 'bigger' than he was meant to be at birth.

I had GD and baby was born on 91st Centile. Dropped to 50th and then dropped further to 9th. But that was because of a tongue tie - I think they would have naturally settled on the 50th if TT hadn't been an issue.

Their sibling was born on the 95th and is now on the 91st at 2. For both height and weight.

Only other reason I could think of dropping weight on formula is an allergy to cows milk - any signs to suggest that?

Happened to me too

first was born at 90th and remains so at 4. I didn’t have GD when tested at 28 weeks but I think they may have missed it later although I wasn’t tested

second - I did have GD which I managed. Born at 25-50 (40th) then dropped down to 9-25 (13th). Health visitor said that this is likely her natural weight because she was born too heavy for her. She is now settling into about 22-23.

I was worried as so different to my first but that’s not a good enough reason really - they are just different.

First js almost 4. But point is she is still 90 for height and weight - so different to her younger sister

If you had GD it could sell be that. My DD went down a couple of centiles but had stated there for the last few years. If she's found a curve and is now sticking to it, I'd bright and alert at times and meeting her milestones, I wouldn't worry.

My DD was born on the 91st centile but dropped to the 50th.

It stressed me out so much, more so as my HV was terrible and had me at alder hey thinking there was a problem with her.

The consultant I saw at Alder Hey took one look at her and said "this baby is fine and healthy, I'm not sure why you're here. It's simple logic, she was feed too much in pregnancy by your amazing placenta, however birth weight and genetic weights are often very different. She's just finding her natural centile".

She was bang on, now a 9 year old and definitely not a 91st centile child.

Hope this helps lessen your worries.

Thank you all so much for replying. You have all really lessened my worries and will go back to enjoying her and all the cuddles she gives me! Thank you x