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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

BF baby, 12lbs at 16 weeks is this ok?

12 replies

beetlemum · 11/02/2009 20:08

Went to have DS2s 3rd jabs today and had him weighed out of interest, HV (not the usual one I have seen ) says he looks like he is not putting on as much weight as he has been and I need to go back in 2 weeks and they will keep an eye on it etc. Now I am against giving formula atm, will only consider it after he has been weaned, e.g.when he goes to nursery on my return to work if i cant express enough. But for the first 6 m he is only having breast milk. Asked her if I could have a BF chart but she was a bit dismissive, about it basically said no in a nice way, she said there is lots of controversy about them, but couldn't really explain why. DS2 was 6 lb 10 at birth and is lively looking no worries on that front. The HV has just fucked me off and am inclined not to go and have him weighed ever again.I know they can't make me, can they?
I am quite small and DS1 was always v small.

OP posts:
charitygirl · 11/02/2009 20:10

I thought babies were (generally) supposed to double their birth weight by 6 months. In which case, it sounds like yours is right on track.

They can't make you - my DS is 21 weeks and hasn't been weighed since he was 6 weeks.

thisisyesterday · 11/02/2009 20:10

lol I would disregard whatever the HV told you. which it sounds as though you are inclined to do anyway

I didn't have ds2 weighed after about 6 weeks. he hasn't died or anything, it's amazing

breastfed babies do tend to gain quite quickly and then plateau, so it may be that your ds is doing that.
if he is happy and healthy in all other ways I would just go with the flow

hannahlouhoo · 11/02/2009 20:13

HV talk shite, sorry someone with alot more knowleage than me will be along shortly.

But if you are small and your first child was small. Then he is more likely to be small no?

Is he following the line on the centile chart?

I wouldnt worry! well done on bf!

charitygirl · 11/02/2009 20:13

I sometimes think this 'come back in two weeks'/'we'll keep an eye on it' etc is just to give HVs something to do.

Which is bitterly ironic given that they could actually be supporting parents who need it and who tend not to turn up to weigh-ins, ever.

SlightlyMadScotland · 11/02/2009 20:16

If she is not the usual HV then she doesn't have a clue about whether he is putting on enough weight...weight gain should be just that weight gain....she needs to take into account the last few weeks - and if she hasn't seen him over hte last few weeks she can't judge.

And yes a baby should double there birth weight in the first 4-6m....he is well on target to do that as he isn't even 14m and he is not far of double...

pudding25 · 11/02/2009 20:40

I just checked the red book. My dd at 16 weeks was 12lb 10 oz and was 7lb 11oz when she was born. She was also on about the 81st percentile for height.She was on 1 bottle formula and the rest bf at that time. My HV was never worried (well until a daft one told me to wean her at 16 weeks which I ignored).

She's now 9mths, very healthy, still tall and probably weighs about 18.5lbs.

pudding25 · 11/02/2009 20:42

Actually, i tell a lie. A daft HV did tell me to wean her at 17 wks to help her put on weight but I luckily ignored her as I knew DD wasn't ready and waited until 25wks. She loves her food and has taken to solids really well which I very much doubt she would have done if I had listened to the HV.

pudding25 · 11/02/2009 20:43

Just realised I had already written that. Sorry, going mad

Academicmum · 11/02/2009 20:43

You can download some excellent software from the WHO website with their charts from www.who.int/childgrowth/software/en/ we have done this (along with get our own scales so we can skip baby clinic which was getting me down, but that's something else).

Original poster
beetlemum · 11/02/2009 21:40

Thanks everyone! I know she is talking shite really. You lot just confirmed it. i will not be darkening the clinic door until his 12m jabs now. I looked at his book and he seems to be on the same line as he was born on but he did skip up to the next centile line for a short while, which I know is normal for bf baby. I have downloaded the Who charts and will have a go at plotting him on that tommorow. Also thanks to Slightly mad re the doubling the birthweight thing , I had it in my head he should have done this by 3 months not 4-6 lol. I've been having a funny (peculiar .. not ha ha) week re the bf, might post about it later lol.

OP posts:
madmouse · 11/02/2009 21:40

and even if she does not stick to the chart.

my ds was born 7lb4 and at the grand age of one year weighs all of 15lb5. His consultant paed says he is fine, just doing his own thing. He is tiny, beautiful and lively

And i rarely get him weighed, as i never worry about him, just about the numbers on the scale!

Original poster
beetlemum · 11/02/2009 21:41

also wanted to say to charity girl, you make an excellent point, I have also wondered about this!

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