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Children's health

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Original poster

Anyone else with tiny babies?

23 replies

Hopehope20 · 27/04/2019 12:59

Hi,

My baby was born on the 9th centile but my milk then didn't come in properly due to an infection so dripped to 0.3 centile. Switched to formula and he is almost 6 months still tracking 0.3centile line. He is tiny.

I guess I'm just after some support and people who understand the fear! Constant obsession around how much he is drinking (He really just doesn't like milk much). The fear of him getting a bug or teething and going off his milk even more.

He is currently leaping and has dropped about 8oz a day and I just feel so scared of his nect weigh in. We have to go every 2 weeks which is awful in itself. I've told myself he will drop off the chart at the weigh in this week and I feel like such a failure x

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Vintagegoth · 27/04/2019 13:07

Hi, didn't want to read and run. It is really hard not to beat yourself up over these things. My youngest is 2nd centile for weight, but rapidly dropped off the chart for height. She is now aged 5 and thriving at school, but still below the lowest height centile.

I know how hard it is when you look everywhere and see these huge babies with their chubby little arms and legs.

You are being monitored, so HV are not going to let him slip through the net. Try to keep an eye on what he is taking in for feeds and when weaning, food, but try not to obsess. I know it is hard not to.

A child can be right at the bottom of those charts and still be normal, even if they are not average. People come in all shapes and sizes.

I really wish you the best of luck and hope that your DS thrives and continues to put on weight at the weigh ins.

Original poster

Hopehope20 · 27/04/2019 13:13

Thank you so much. I absolutely need to stop comparing him. I stopped socialising with my mummy friends at one point because their babies are twice the size and it just made me feel bad. He is being monitored and we have seen a peadiatrition who concluded he just doesn't eat enough to be any bigger. I'm going to wean in a couple of weeks and I guess I just hope he takes to rhat well.

When he is eating ok I do feel better about it...but any time he drops the amount he takes I am a nervous wreck and it's stealing away my precious enjoyment of.these early months. Only I can fix that though.

Really appreciate your response xx

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insideoutandback · 27/04/2019 13:29

Our youngest is tiny. She is 15 month and only just in 9-12mth clothes. She is a nightmare eater. We are now under a dietician. She has suddenly started gaining and eating better. But she is so skinny compared to others. I cant put her leggings cause her legs look ridiclous. All that said she is fine and hitting all milestones and now walking so she must be getting enough. Its a struggle and difficult to not get obssesed! We used to try constanly to get her to take more milk but if we pushed to hard she would just vomit everything back.

Ratbagratty · 27/04/2019 13:38

I had a teeny baby, born 37weeks didn't register on percentiles (they considered putting her in prem one). Had breastmilk issues like you. We combi fed and persevered with breastfeeding with help from the lactation specialists at the children's centre and managed to go fully breastfed about 6-8weeks old (I forget now).

She is 3 now, still very small for her age just under the 25th percentile and is wearing 2-3 clothes!

You can do this it's a really stressful time, feeling judged and just wanting your baby to grow, but they are there to help you and baby. You are doing amazingly and soon like me you'll look back and rent all the extra baby cuddles for food and smile.

tappitytaptap · 27/04/2019 15:34

I didn't want to read and run! Please don't stop seeing your mummy friends because of it, I'm sure they are not judging and (as I have to remind myself sometimes) comparing them just makes you miserable! I'm now on baby no 2 and he's ahead of DC1 in some areas at this age and behind in others. Despite being born almost 2lb heavier he is now lighter than DC1 at this age, who leapt up the percentiles whilst I think he is just nicely tracking up a line (haven't had him weighed since he was 6 wks!). It sounds like you are already getting the support from health professionals and generally I've found the NHS to be pretty cautious with babies, we've had a few referrals which in hindsight were an overreaction (though was grateful for the baby getting checked out), so am sure if anything is wrong it'll be picked up. Sounds like he is just small, are you/your partner quite petite?

MustardScreams · 27/04/2019 15:38

Dd was 25th centile when born (6lbs 11) and 9th centile now.

She’s 2.5 and still in mostly 12-18month clothings. She’s teeny. But very sturdy and eats brilliantly. I just think she’s destined to be delicate.

I know it’s worrying but you’re doing all the right things, and none of this is the fault! He may just be little. Hopefully he takes well to weaning and that will put your mind at ease abbot.

MustardScreams · 27/04/2019 15:38

Being climbed on by said toddler so sorry for all my spelling errors!

tappitytaptap · 27/04/2019 16:20

Also to add I think some kids just have a fast metabolism. My friend's 3 year old DD is on the 2nd centile and eats almost as much as my 3 year old DS who hovers between 91st and 98th!

Original poster

Hopehope20 · 27/04/2019 16:57

Thank you everyone. It's so comforting just to hear from other people who have had smaller babies as I don't know anyone personally who has.

My partner and I are very average size so I wouldn't genetically expect to have a small child. We had an absolute hell of a time feeding in the first few weeks and I do wonder of that just put him off it for good.

I do wish I got more help breast feeding now. I combi fed for 8 weeks but it just got too much. I would breast feed him, formula top up and then pump. I would pump for a couple of hours just to get about 1.5 oz. He eventually got really fussy on the breast, I guess because we were bottle feeding also...I panicked and just switched to formula because I thought that would bump up his weight...but it didn't so I could have continued on with combination feeding. Just another thing to feel guilty about!
He really is the most amazing happy boy and I know it's that I need to focus on xx

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NotSoThinLizzy · 27/04/2019 17:09

My wee girl was born on the 50th line and kept dropping and dropping lines. Shes now 10 and hardly eats,under dietitian and on build up milkshakes. Shes on the 2nd centile line now. She just never wants to eat. Shes active and happy though but tiny compared to her classmates.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 27/04/2019 17:54

DS was born at 4lbs 2oz. He must have left hospital less than 5lbs because I remember him hitting that milestone when the HV weighed him at home.
He made an appearance on the weight chart at 0.5 of a centile at around 6 weeks and it felt like an achievement. He's been there ever since. He's now a very healthy energetic nearly 7 year old who wears size 4 to 5 clothes and is just out of toddler shoes. Other than older girls wanting to pick him up and hug him like doll he has no problems.
I'm sorry your feeling so much pressure OP. It really doesn't matter what size your baby is as long as it is drinking, weeing and pooing and meeting milestones. Please don't avoid other Mums.
Your baby is perfect.

Bobbindobbin · 27/04/2019 18:27

My prem boy was wearing age 4 clothes at 7 and although he’s older now he’s still tiny compared to his classmates. It’s not stopped him being very very clever and incredibly happy 😊

Original poster

Hopehope20 · 27/04/2019 20:29

Thank you so much. So nice to hear, I keep reading these replies to bring me back to reality. Thank you xx

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Sleepforaweek · 27/04/2019 20:43

My DS born on 2nd centile for weight and height at 36 weeks. Increased to 9 th centile by about 3 yrs and has stayed there ever since. He's now 14 and still the same, but very healthy and strong.

Boohootoyootoo · 27/04/2019 20:46

I now have a 5ft4 11 year old girl. She's a dancer and top of her year academically.

I spent the first 9 months of her life in tears as I watched her drop from the 75th percentile to off the charts at the bottom.

Obviously it did her some good and she's certainly bounced back!

mistermagpie · 27/04/2019 20:52

My baby wasn't tiny but he didn't like milk. Some days he would only have 10oz all day and I was tearing my hair out. He took to weaning like a duck to water though and is a great eater, and massive, now at age two. I really hope yours is the same, I think some babies just don't like milk!

Original poster

Hopehope20 · 29/04/2019 09:20

Again thank you, it is encouraging to hear that some have gained as the years go on but also regardless of that it doesn't have to define who they are etc.

@mistermagpie comforting to hear another who doesn't really like milk. My son only took 1.5oz over night and 1.5oz for his morning feed. Pulling my hair out!

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mistermagpie · 29/04/2019 13:39

Yes, mine was the same 2oz here or there was a success. I found if I fed him while he was asleep I could trick him into taking more but he never ever took more than 5oz the whole time he was having milk.

Weaning was a great success though so hang in there, everything might change.

Zone4flaneur · 29/04/2019 16:43

Just from the other side- DD was 5lb10 at birth (I am 6 feet tall) and had an undiagnosed IUGR. Also had big problems establishing feeding.

She was TINY until she was 3 and then shot up- she is now 95th centile for height at 5 so has fulfilled her genetic destiny.

So they can catch up!

AD1986 · 25/07/2022 22:29

@Hopehope20

Hey, I appreciate this thread is old but how yours little one doing? My girl is tiny, she's nearly 8 months and weighs 6.5kg

Hates milk and is on/off with meals. I also find myself comparing my baby and sometimes want to avoid other mums.

Original poster

Hopehope20 · 26/07/2022 08:52

@AD1986

Ah gosh this was a blast from the past. I know exactly how you feel... my little boy will be 4 in November...still small for his age (around 5th centile for both weight and height) and don't get me wrong...it still plays on my mind especially when I compare him to others his age...but the older he got the more I realised that he is just doing his own thing...perfectly happy and healthy. I could certainly do things to help and support his eating but I can't force it and we got to a point where I was putting so much pressure on his eating it ruined a lot of things for us.

My biggest advice is to try and just accept she might just be small and that's OK! By all means have her checked over to ensure no medical issues but otherwise...just keep calmly offering milk and food with no pressure. When we took the pressure and expectation away my boys eating definitely increased (but he just genuinely doesn't have a big appetite).

I regret, more than I can convey, how much of his younger life I spent worrying about his weight....the older they get the more you realise it is OK. I truly think babies are so good at self regulating their intake so have faith that she is taking what she needs.

Here if you ever want to chat xx

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Original poster

Hopehope20 · 26/07/2022 22:01

@1986

Just checked his red book too and he was 6.8kg at 8 months so really similar. I know this isn't for everyone especially now everything is so expensive! but we had a session with a private dietitian who was absolutely incredible. She gave us amazing, practical advice about his eating...she also listened to our experience and trauma around the worry and put our minds at rest about a lot of things (she specialises in helping babies and children with severe food aversions so has so much experience). Her name is Lucy Upton. She is on Instagram too as as childrensdietitian and gives amazing tips and support for free on there. Check her out xx

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AD1986 · 26/07/2022 23:01

@Hopehope20

Heyy, thank you so so much for responding..means so much, especially as no one around me is going through the same thing. I have such bad anxiety and really feel like I'll regret it the older she gets. Im so pleased your boy is fine 😊

We weighed her today and shes 6.1kg so has lost weight..this may due to her not being well.

Omg how crazy, I'm speaking to Lucy colleague as she wasn't available. Would I be able to pm you? Not sure how to on here but will try figure it out lol

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