Three week old with unusual stomach shape

[Starryalex]

I recently noticed that my 3 week olds stomach is an unusual shape. He’s having lots of wet and dirty nappies, no problem with wind or anything. Only issue is slow weight gain and not back to birth weight yet which I can’t understand with all the nappies he’s having. Now I’m worrying that his stomach shape might mean there’s something wrong? I don’t remember either of my other two kids stomachs looking like this.

It does look quite distended, I'd ask GP to have a look. The fact baby is weeing and pooing is reassuring but I think if you are ever in doubt then get checked, particularly when they are so tiny

@HumberBridge2 thanks, yes I’ll get it check either by GP or health visitor for peace of mind. He’s having loads of wet and dirty nappies so hoping that’s a good sign.

Yes that doesn't look quite right, it definitely looks distended. Has it always looked like that? Does he mind if you press it? Try and get a GP appointment tomorrow (easier said than done I know!)

@ThisRareOtter I can’t remember for sure if it was like this from birth but I do remember my husband commenting that he was a different body shape to our first two kids so I think it probably was. No it doesn’t seem to bother him when it’s touched. Can’t help but feel quite anxious now and wondering if it could be connected to his slow weight gain 😕

FF or BF? Formula can be more problematic to digest, but he may have an allergy or intolerance if BF? Might be worth a check with the HV or GP.

I think there are lots of reassuring things in your post - he's comfortable, it isn't painful and he's pooing. Hopefully the GP can give it a good poke and give him a full MOT tomorrow to see if it's connected to his weight gain. Some babies are just slow to catch back up to their birth weight. Are poos a normal colour? No vomiting?

@sanityisamyth he’s breastfed. No signs of any allergies that I’ve noticed so far, dirty nappies look normal and he’s generally very content but will keep that in mind.

@ThisRareOtter no vomiting and nappies look like normal breastfed nappies. He was 3960g at birth, has been 3888g for the last two days but weighed him this evening and he’s lost 10g. Trying not to worry as he’s otherwise doing well but it’s very disheartening as I feel like I spend so much time feeding him. Also the amount of nappies he’s having makes me think he’s getting plenty of milk so I’m not sure what more I can do.

Yes it does look a bit unusual, and it doesn't look symmetrical? I’d definitely it looked at by a GP.

Seeing your photo reminded me of the picture jesy nelson posted of her twins who had SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). If you see GP/health visitor please ask them to rule it out

GP over a HV

Is his stomach hard to touch, or soft?

@MyWildOliveGoose it feels soft to touch

That’s a good sign, you said your husband mentioned it previously, in his opinion has it become more distended over time?

Babies have such sensitive digestive systems, that are learning to work. So it could be an intolerance to something you eat, or it could be something else.

I think it’s important you get in touch with your GP tomorrow, so that they can assess him and have a good examination of his abdomen. They will decide whether to send him for any further tests. They know you’ll be worried and want to put your mind at rest.

If the abdomen becomes more distended, hard or hot to touch I would call 111 for advice and sooner medical care - but if he’s eating, pooping and isn’t displaying any distress, try and sleep easy tonight knowing it’s something that can be assessed tomorrow.

You are an experienced mum and if you feel this doesn't look right then you need it checking by GP. It does look distended to me.
Hope you get this sorted today.

I second this. Bell shaped stomach is a flag for SMA.

My DS2 looked like this and also struggled to gain weight despite feeding often and me having plenty of milk. It turned out he had a tongue tie and I assume he was taking in a lot of air when feeding. We didn't have all the classic signs of tongue tie e.g. there was no damage to my nipples, but everything got better within a few days of having it snipped.

Can you call the maternity ward and go back in? They’re usually still under the ward for the first few weeks afterwards . Any SMA suspicion I would want ruled out immediately

Any luck getting to see the GP today? Have been thinking of you

How often does your baby poo @Starryalex ?

Could it be bad constipation?

I hope it's something trivial.

Have you got a GP appointment yet?