Experiences with underweight babies?

[Bootiesandsocks]

My son is 8mo and weighs 6.5kg, under 1st centile. He was born 20th centile and dropped around 6wo.

We’ve tried everything. He refuses a bottle so I breastfeed. He started solids well but now refuses. I’ve cut out every single allergen. He’s on very high dose reflux meds. We’ve seen three different pediatricians (one NHS, beyond useless, two private), three dieticians, an IBCLC, a speech and language therapist, a tongue tie specialist. We’ve been to A&E when he stopped eating completely. They said he was hydrated so wouldn’t do anything.

This week I had noravirus so couldn’t BF. My husband had to give him a bottle, which he accepted eventually. Now he refuses again, cries like he’s in pain after one suck. We use the bottle aversion method (not pressuring him to drink, as we gave him an aversion previously).

We’ve seen so many health professionals and they all claim they have the answer and can fix it. It’s been 7 months and we’ve gotten nowhere.

Not sure what I’m looking for. Please no advice about tongue ties or different teat sizes. We’ve had all the assessments and tried all the things. I guess I just want to know if anyone dealt with this and was taken seriously? In other countries they tube feed underweight babies. I’m losing my mind.

My 1yr old is 0.4centile and was a total bottle refuser. He is prescribed Simalac high calorie feed from the paediatrician which I mix into pretty much everything he eats.

I stopped all milk feeds at 10m and made him baby porridge mixed with the feed instead. I then mixed that with the fruit purées from Aldi (anything for a few extra calories!). He has done much better since I totally removed the bottle.

I feel your anxiety though, it's awful when something so basic as providing nutrition is so hard :(

@mcdog Thank you so much for your reply and I’m sorry you’re going through this too. Sometimes I feel like I’m in trapped in a nightmare and I know that sounds like hyperbole.

Do you know why your son struggled with milk feeds? Did you breastfeed as well? Any tests done? Does he struggle with solids too?

Sorry for all the questions. We’re seeing the gastroenterologist tomorrow and I want to push for the right tests urgently.

@Bootiesandsocks he had an undiagnosed tongue tie that was snipped late (16weeks). By which time every feed was a total battle.

If it makes you feel any hope, he's just eaten a bowl of Rice Krispies no issue. Once the bottle was gone, he embraced all eating.

@Montague22 we saw the gastroenterologist yesterday and he wants to admit him to the hospital to get a feeding tube inserted and carry out some tests. I’m relieved but scared. Do you have any experience with this?

@Bootiesandsocks yes in a professional capacity. I’m really relieved for you. An NG tube is not a big procedure. It will take the pressure off and allow you to feed responsively. I think this is a really positive move, and it’s so easy to remove if needed.

Have a look at Feeding Tube Awareness on Facebook
and these links:

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/nutrition/tube-feeding-and-your-child

www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/tube-feeding/

Wishing you good luck

Hi OP my son is exactly the same (8 month old 6.7kg) not interested in eating etc. can I ask for an update on your LO? Did things improve? I'm
Worried sick :(

@Bootiesandsocks @scrabbledabbl

Hi I was wondering how you both got on? I'm in the same situation

@Hazzyyy he still isn't the biggest (now toddler) but I've put it down to genetics because both me and father are small.