Poor weight gain + weaning + diarrheoa

[Smerlin]

Went to baby clinic today and DD has only put on 7oz/200g in a whole month. She is 6 months now and we started weaning at 5 months on advice of hospital paed as she wasn't putting on weight. Formula fed on advice of GP since three months.

Her rate of weight gain improved from three-four months, plateaued from four-five and is now decreasing massively again.

Feel crushed that weaning is making things worse- she only had fruit and veg and baby porridge between 5-6 months due to no dairy/gluten before 6 months but was still drinking the same amount of milk (800-850ml per day). I know fruit and veg aren't calorific (although we have given her lots of avocado!) which is why I have been working hard to maintain her milk intake so can't understand why her weight isn't going up. She fusses over drinking milk (since birth) and we absolutely cannot get her to take any more.

Plus she now has mild diarrheoa (I think nectarine is to blame) so getting even fewer nutrients. What am I doing wrong?

I worried myself silly about my dd when she was that age as she didn't gain weight quickly enough either and was never keen on milk. But it did get better eventually.

You can offer more calorific food now she is 6 months, which can only be a good thing. But do wait til the diarrhoea clears up!

I think all you can do is keep offering, keep concentrating on milk, introduce meat, fish and cheese slowly and do monitor her weight every now and again.

And remember it is quite normal for some babies to grow more slowly than others, what height/ weight centiles is she on? If she's happy and active, she is probably fine.

Have you got a follow up appointment with the Paed? Has anyone mentioned the possibility of Cows milk protein intolerance?

I received a letter today from the paed (over a month after consultation) saying that as DD seemed fine at the time of her consultation, he is discharging her to GP care- literally the day after the bad news about weight. Have booked another GP appt and will see if I have to go through the whole referral process again.

CMPA was discussed and we tried hydrolysed formula but she wouldn't even drink a teaspoon's worth.

She is very very active but even if that is the only reason for her poor weight gain, I don't want her to have stunted growth or something!

She was born at 75th percentile, dropped to 17th but then held steady at 25th for a while so we thought everything was fine and that was her normal area to be in. Back on the way down again now though.

How is the poo situation now? Hope things are a bit better.

Only mentioned the CMPI thing because I have it and CMPI babies tend to be small. If you do go to the GP, I'd read through the allergy uk info again and push for allergy testing. At least that way you'll know for sure, one way or the other. I'd also ask for Coeliac testing which is something else that its best to rule out early

What kinds of food are you offering? Now she's 6 months you can offer most things, have a look at the foods to avoid here.

Things that have healthy fats should help, try sardines on toast, salmon footballs or this mash. You can add olive oil to list of food for extra calories.

Try keeping a food diary too. That way you might be able to spot if she's having a problem with certain foods.

Hi Smerlin, our DDs could be twins. Mine was also born on 75th, dropped to 25th. We were also advised to wean at 5 months by HV and Docs. Have an appt with paediatric clinic next week. Last month she only put on 6.5 oz in a month and dropped below 25th. But the last two weeks she has put on 6.5 oz in 2 weeks, so a bit of an improvement. She is a bottle refuser. She is 6 months 1 week.

Weaning has been (and is) a struggle. She was totally not ready at 5 months. Still eating very little, clamping mouth shut and turning head away. Prefers finger food to spoon, but actually swallows very little, even though she enjoys putting food in her mouth.

I don't think she has CMPI as she ate yogurt and cheese without a problem.
She just doesn't seem like a hungry baby, for milk or food. Total opposite to my DS who was a gannet.

So no answers from me but you are not alone!

Norman has she ever been checked for tongue tie?

Jjj, she has an 'insignificant posterior tongue tie' which was discovered at birth. DS had one which we had cut, but we didn't with DD as they said it was insignificant and there were no initial feeding issues, no pain on BF etcetera.

With food, she does swallow ok when it's in her mouth, no excessive gagging. She just doesn't seem to want it.

By the swallowing ok, I mean with purees. She does spit out a lot of finger food.

I'd have the tt looked at again. My DS has undiscovered tt. Wouldn't take any food other than purees until 11 months and still has speech therapy years later.

Ok our appointment with the hospital is this week and I will mention it.

Unfortunately the Paed are unlikely to have enough training to be able to diagnose tt. You might be better having a look at the milk matters information again and seeing if there is a Laftation Consultant who specialises in tt in your area. Milk Matters do a virtual diagnosis service too I think.

Saw hospital doc today. Been referred to a dietician who will consult SALT if swallowing / tongue tie an issue and will advise regarding weaning issues. Having blood tests done including for coeliac (we have it in the family). Said she looked fine in herself, strong baby (sitting, pushing up, good head control) and she'll see us again in 2 months.

Do you mean see is looking at the tt now or leaving you to it for another 2 months?

Doc will see us in 2 months. Dietician will see us earlier, and will refer to SALT if necessary. Sorry for confusion!

Norman have you thought about getting the tt looked at yourself? Milk matters do a virtual diagnosis service or you could contact a lactation consultant who specialises in tt