Newborn weight gain/ low percentile

[Mummamegsssss]

Hi all,

I am hoping for some advice or reassurance. I was induced at 39 weeks due to growth concerns towards the end of my pregnancy (dropped from 25th to 4th percentile). My little boy was born at 39 weeks weighing 6lbs 6oz.

He is now 2 months old and weights just shy of 9lbs. I am aware that this is below the average weight of a 2 month baby boy. Should I be worried?

Health visitor had no concerns ( head, length and weight all on the 9th percentile) and I’m due my 6-8 week postnatal check tomorrow.

I am exclusively breastfeeding and worried he is not getting what he needs from me. I’ve had some unwanted comments suggesting I use formula if I’m concerned. I don’t want to stop exclusively breastfeeding as me and baby have just gotten the hang of things.

Any other mums who have/have had babies on the smaller size? Experience?

Thank you in advance x

It's if they drop below their birth percentile that you need to worry.
If he'd maintained 4th that would be fine as he's grown with the percentile.
He's moved up percentile since birth so he's getting plenty.
It all sounds good.

If the HV had no concerns then that's very reassuring. How are his wet nappies? Aside from weight, you can generally get a good idea of if they're taking enough fluids by how much urine they produce, moist mucous membranes, overall form, bright eyes, supple skin, that kind of thing.
Has he lost any weight? (aside from the usual loss in the first 2 weeks).
If he's steadily gaining and growing along his centile then that's great! Big difference between a baby that's slowly and steadily gaining as per their centile, and a baby who's plauteauing or losing.

DS was 4lb 14 and just kept around that same percentile until we stopped charting it. I used to panic that he was so small, but he was BF well and putting on weight at a steady pace, just always smaller than most other children.

When he started school, the school nurses measured his height and weight and wrote to say they were concerned that he was on such a low percentile, but once I’d explained that he’d always been there or there about, they were happy. He was never going to suddenly be mid range and that’s the whole point of percentiles, some children are always going to be at the lower end or the higher end!

Having said that, he’s now 19 and taller than me! He’s still skinny but very muscular from the gym.

DD1 was born on the 5th centile, 6lbs 1oz at 40+2. She moved to 9th centile and has always been around that. She's 5 now. She was just under 9lbs at 8 weeks. She was around 17lbs at 12 months.

I worried endlessly over it when she was little. She's so active now, doing very well in school, top group for reading and maths. She's never been a great eater.

For comparison DD2 was 6lbs 3oz, 8th centile at 39+2. Has gained weight so much quicker than DD1. Is 50th centile for weight at 18 months. I fed them both in the same way, combi for first 6-8 weeks and then formula. I do think a lot of it is genetics.

If he stays on his line I wouldn't worry x