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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

4 month old dropped 2 percentiles

6 replies

HiMum2boys · 31/10/2024 15:00

My son was born on the 75th percentile and had been tracking this until at least 8 weeks old. He wasn't weighed again until his 16 week jabs and then he had dropped a percentile and was tracking on the 50th. The following week I got him weighed again and he had dropped further meaning he sat somewhere between the 9th-25th percentile. This was quite unexpected as nothing had seemed to change feeding wise and we'd even started discussing moving up to 6-9 month clothing as he was outgrowing his sleepsuits/ trousers (height is on 91st percentile).

He's been weighed weekly since and although he put on 300g the first week his weight gain subsequent has only been 170g 2nd week and 90g 3rd week - although he is at least steadily tracking on the 20th percentile. Up until now I'd been told I needed to start supplementing his breastfeeding with formula if he didn't start to put on more weight, but the most recent health visitor we've seen has told us not to do that but to keep breastfeeding as we're doing and if he's still tracking 25th by next week (22 weeks old) then to consider starting weaning at 24 weeks - but still not to worry about supplementing feeds as this might just be him finding his own natural rhythm. He's been seen by the GP and no physical health concerns.

I don't necessarily want to supplement feeds and thought breastfeeding was going fine up until these issues, but I also want to make sure I do everything I can to help him regain his weight.

He's been exclusively breastfed since birth but has never been a baby that will just feed whenever (unlike my 1st!) and very much has to be ready for it. For example I may try to feed him and he will turn away and sometimes get upset, only to have a full feed 5 minutes later.

As I'm writing this I'm not sure what the point is, other then to maybe get a bit of reassurance from other parents whose babies have had this weight loss? Has anyone else had similar? What worked for your baby? Were there any other health issues that needed to be explored?

OP posts:
Superscientist · 31/10/2024 15:31

Any signs of silent reflux?
The turning away and getting upset but feeding soon after was a bit reminiscent of my daughter. She would sometimes time take 3 or 4 attempts to have a feed and it was due to silent reflux and she fed a lot better on high dose reflux. She has particularly stubborn reflux and allergies too. She fed much better lying down and at night

teatoast8 · 31/10/2024 15:32

Any sign reflux or allergies? My daughter dropped 2 percentile and has allergies

HiMum2boys · 31/10/2024 16:01

The GP prescribed gaviscon just incase there was silent reflux but it was absolutely awful trying to get it in him/ making it up to coincide with a feed. We tried it for a few days but it didn't seem to make much difference. It's another thing the health visitor told us to stop but I wonder if it is worth starting again. He does at times seem to open his mouth like he wants a feed and then immediately becomes upset at the breast so perhaps that is reflux?

OP posts:
Superscientist · 31/10/2024 16:14

We had that issue as it would take a few attempts to feed so I gave it as soon as she finished a feed. I had a little dish, a jar of cooled boiled water, the sachets and a syringe next to me so I could prepare it during the feed.

I would ask about trialling omperazole too. It reduces the acid that the stomach produces but can make it worse for the first couple of weeks as the body produces more acid after disputing the demand to produce less

HiMum2boys · 31/10/2024 22:46

Superscientist · 31/10/2024 16:14

We had that issue as it would take a few attempts to feed so I gave it as soon as she finished a feed. I had a little dish, a jar of cooled boiled water, the sachets and a syringe next to me so I could prepare it during the feed.

I would ask about trialling omperazole too. It reduces the acid that the stomach produces but can make it worse for the first couple of weeks as the body produces more acid after disputing the demand to produce less

Thank you! I think we'll go back to the GP for a chat, it's sounding more and more like reflux so wish I'd kept the gaviscon up - the HV just seemed so dismissive of it.

OP posts:
PolaroidPrincess · 02/11/2024 08:19

DF's DS was just like this. He's an adult now and still talk and slim. He was FF though and it didn't seem to make any difference to the situation, just stayed around the same centiles as your DS Wink

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