HV suggested that slow weight gain is due to a urine infection. Is she talking out of her bottom, or is this remotely feasible?

[Hopefully]

DS is 21 weeks, and has been sloooowly slipping down the percentiles since birth (98th at birth, now somewhere just below the 25th).

He has never failed to gain at weigh ins, but, for instance, at last weigh in had only gained 5oz in 2.5 weeks.

He is mostly BF, with one bottle in the night (he is only having that about 1 night in 3 at the moment, as he has started sleeping through).

He is noticeably lean compared to many other babies, especially if he's undressed, but is very happy and active. He's always had a crap gut (poos every few days, and perpetually constipated), but is producing plenty of wet nappies - very occasionally (usually just before he poos) his wee is a bit smelly, like it's concentrated, but is never strong coloured or leaving crystals in his nappy.

HV suggested at last weigh in that his slow weight gain may be due to a urine infection, and that I should get it checked at the doc's. I have absolutely no objection to going to the doc's, but I seriously cannot work out why a urine infection would cause slow weight gain, and I'm wondering whether she just said it for something to say when I said 'no' to her suggestion that i wean him soon.

Anyone heard of anything like this?

yes, I have actually. a friend whose baby was losing weight found out it was becuase of a UTI.

so def worth getting checked out just to put your mind at rest
would you be worried if you didn;t know how much he weighed??

My ds2 was also checked for a urinary tract infection when his weight gain slowed at 16 weeks (he's currently just above the 0.4th centile, so yours on the 25th centile is still comparatively huge !!). I think that a UTI can cause problems like loss of appetite, which obviously affects weight gain.

I'm amazed! I was genuinely expecting to be told my HV was spouting tripe.

Will make doc's appointment tomorrow to get it checked. Am intrigued by urine collection from a small baby. Have visions of holding a pot over the end of DS's willy for hours on end.

hopefully, there are easier methods for that

low tech: cotton wool ball in nappy!
high tech: a special plastic bag with sticky ends fashioned round little willy. Very fetching that one.

ds had both at some point.

Urine collection from a baby either involves sitting with baby on knee and a pot and hoping you catch the wee when he eventually decides to do one, or if they do it in hospital they stick a large "condom"-type thingy on them and wait (dp was rather proud of this, but he's just got a warped sense of humour...)

Lol at condom/willy bag contraption! Now I want them to do a urine test. DS is fairly laid back so will be totally unconcerned, but I will be giggling constantly.

haha yes, ds1 had the plastic bag thing stuck on him to catch it.

Yes. Infection causes the body to use huge amounts of energy to fight it. Energy used to fight infection = less energy for growth. Similar to slow down in growth when new skills being learnt. The body can't do it all.

agree with the other ladies, it is quite a sensible suggestion by HV to want to rule out a UTI.

I'm impressed...a HV who suggests something other thatn topping up in a slow weightgain BF baby