Sleep training and underweight baby?

[Firsttimemama37]

My BF 6 month old is currently below where he “should be” for growth. We’re waiting for a GP appointment and feeding team referral. However, I think he’s likely just settled to his normal as he’s happy, very alert and bright, ahead on lots of his milestones and incredibly active/is never still!

He’s currently waking every 30-45 mins at night and only settling with a feed and I’m broken. It’s possible perhaps my supply is low or he’s going through a growth spurt?

The plan was to try sleep training at 6 months as he’s always been a poor sleeper and cosleeping doesn’t work for us but now I’m worried due to weight issues. I still planned on doing night feeds but hopefully just 1-3 per night instead of every 45 mins. But now I’m worried his weight will plummet even more? Is it really irresponsible to sleep train in these circumstances? Is it possible he’ll make up for it in the day?

I think there is a growth spurt around 6 months, mine went through a period of cluster feeding in the evenings again (oh joy, I'd not missed it!) and waking frequently overnight. I also think he put on like 1kg in 3 weeks! But I only weighed him on our scales at home rather than official weigh ins, so there may be some inaccuracy there, but in any case regardless of scales and how well they're calibrated he really did podge up noticeably in a really short time!

How are you defining under weight?

@Polik He’s dropped 2 centiles. Once at 4 weeks and another at 4.5 months. He’s still gaining, just under where he should be according to the charts.

Whilst it could be normal baby behaviour I'm just wondering if he's ever been checked for Tongue Tie?

@PritiPatelsMaker Yeah he’s been checked for tongue tie a number of times but all fine apparently.

I had a similar experience with one of mine. Checked a couple of times (NHS) for tongue tie but they just kept pushing me to use formula (under 6 months). I never felt like they really looked properly though so went to a private lactation specialist who also did tongue ties. She said there was a posterior tie which she cut. From then on everything changed and feeding/weight gain was normal. I’m not sure tongue ties are taken seriously enough so may be worth another check.

Yeah he’s been checked for tongue tie a number of times but all fine apparently.

Unfortunately if it's just been by HCPs they often don't know what they're looking for. Does he fit the symptoms in the link?

@PritiPatelsMaker He does meet some of those symptoms but a private lactation consultant has also checked him, unless she missed it too. He can poke his tongue out fine and I can sometimes see it cupped around my nipple - would he not be able to do this if there was a tie?

I assume you have started him on solids??

@Janedoe82 Going to start this week. He’s only just turned 6 months. I’ve read sometimes solids can cause more weight loss as breastmilk is more calorific than carrots etc? I plan on trying lots of high calorie foods though like avocado, banana etc. Hoping it helps but time will tell.

Sleep training isn't recommended before 12 months and definitely not for a baby that isn't gaining weight as expected. Please don't, and although I know it's exhausting, give him every opportunity to feed and maximise his calorie intake. A check of the tongue by a trained tongue tie practitioner would also be a good idea.

Try BFing an hour before the solids if you're worried about him taking less BM but yes, things like avocados and not butters are great. You can also add olive oil or mascarpone to purées to add extra fats.

You could try dream feeding at certain times as part of sleep training? So if you feed baby before bed at say 7pm then do another feed at 10:30 and then one at 2:30 and 6:30? If he wakes at other times you can comfort in other ways? That way you should get some solid sleep. I did this with my DD (2%) and then at 1yo she was waking every 30 minutes and I knew she was ready to be night weaned for good.

He does meet some of those symptoms but a private lactation consultant has also checked him, unless she missed it too. He can poke his tongue out fine and I can sometimes see it cupped around my nipple - would he not be able to do this if there was a tie?

I'm definitely not an expert but I think if he's meeting some of the symptoms, it's definitely worth checking again. My DS had TT and his sleep as terrible too