weight gain and charts

[Funbags]

DS is 15 weeks now and is well and fully breast fed. He was born on the 91st centile and dropped to 75th in the first week. He stayed on this line until 5 weeks when his weight gain slowed, and though he has put weight on, it?s slower and he?s now on the 25th centile. DD was 5 oz heavier at birth and at the same age was 1lb 5 oz heavier than DS is now. I don?t feel like I have as much milk as with DD, feel empty by 7 pm, but DS not acting like he?s hungry. Could it be the quality rather than the quantity of milk? I?ve been a bit rundown, taking vitamins to try and perk up (thought I think my diet is generally good) and have some antibiotics on the go for a cold I couldn?t shake that ended up with a weird infection in my cheek.

DS seems well, is content, feeding 2 hourly thru the day and sleeping at night. I really wouldn?t want to give him anything other than breast milk if possible. Should I worry if he goes any lower, or just burn the chart (mentally at least)?

What does your health visitor say? I would have thought thast sleeping through the night was a very good sign that he wasn't too hungry?! I would definitely keep up the breastfeeding. Can antobiotics affect your milk supply?

I don't know about antibiotics, but I know that the quality of your breastmilk isn't at all affected by diet. Women can feed their babies when they are starving and the babies usually thrive - so certainly don't worry about that one

If he's still putting weight on (even though he might be dropping centiles) there shouldn't be any immediate concern. Is he having plenty of wet and/or dirty nappies? Is he alert and happy, or does he seem listless and sleepy? Do you know what charts your PCT use? I think unless they say "Breastfed from birth" (newer charts which some areas use) on, they are based on a mixture of breastfed and bottlefed babies and so don't show the same weight gain patterns.

There's a growth spurt due at about 4-5 months, he may well catch up to his birth weight then - or maybe he was just meant to be big at birth and then put weight on more slowly.

hi thanks for your responses, very reassuring. I emailed the HV and here's what she has said...

"Sorry you have been under the weather.It is very possible that this is all about 'catch down' (as opposed to catch up). Maybe he was heavier, relatively speaking, than he genetically wants to be at birth. A lush placenta perhaps?!

The fact that from your account he is content, well in himself and causing you no other concerns is very reassuring, and makes me feel in my bones that all is well with his weight. The evidence is absolute that well healthy babies will take what they need, and if you didnt have enough milk he would appear hungry.The fact you have been run down should not compromise your milk supply to any great extent, as the female body maintains milk supply and quality under the most adverse conditions.

I think it would be interesting to know what his weight and head size looked like on the chart, as this will give us some more evidence about what is going on.I am around this am til 12, if you are around we can have a look at him, otherwise can you pop him in next Thursday at clinic? I dont think he needs anything else to eat|!"

Go on the WHO (world health organisation) website and download their new growth charts, they were only released this week!

they have been devoloped for breast feed babies, rather then ff like they are now!

it should make you feel alot more at ease!!

hope that helps.xxx