5 mth old under weight and loose motions

[motherto4]

Hello all,

This is my first post. I'm a mother to 4 children with the first 3 being reasonably healthy, no health issues and good weight at birth and gained well. DD (baby no 4) was prem, 4 weeks, and was born with a skin condition, ichtyosis of some kind not yet fully established by drs. The problem is that shes feeding well, albeit not the average amounts for her age, but her poo is very very loose. Not diarrea. Dr just say to monitor every time i tell them. The doctors also say shes developmentally delayed but she doesnt look it to me, apart form looking small. Shes very chatty and seems happy. She doesnt yet hold objects though and that is worrying me.

Please could anybody advise?

My ds was the same, he wasnt gaining weight so they tried him on hypo allergenic milk and the loose bowels improved, started gaining weight slowly, he took very small amounts if milk etc, and food, he was also a bit delayed in development which is hard when other kids there age are doing lots if things,he was 19 months before he started to walk, but he is now almost 2 and has almost caught up with everyone his age, They are all different I suppose, give it time and try not to worry, x

Have you had a chat with your health visitor about weaning - I know the new fashion is for 6 months but no reason not to (don't worry about prematurity, children are weaned by chronological age, not corrected age).

If you have clearly documented growth failure (ie consistent formal measurements of weight that show drop off from centimes as opposed to consistent growth along a low centile) a doctor should take note. Is it your GP who is being stand offish or a neonatal/paediatric doctor?

Thank you for the replies and reassurances. Midwives and GP think shes gaining weight gradually they're the ones kind of putting off intervention although I've an appointment tomorrow so will push for them to deal with this. The peadratrician and the skin specialists have pointed out weight and development probs. its difficult when you get conflicting views.

Also have started her on solids. Not taken to it as well as I hoped. Might have to wait and see.