Nearly 8 months old weaning & milk HELP

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Hi lovely people,

I'm feeling tad anxious any help would be appreciated

My little girl is nearly 8 months, she was just under 6lbs when born and is now only 12lbs. I've been back and forth to HV and Gp but they all think shes fine as she's following the curve and food will help but shes hardly eating anything!!!

Shes on 2nd percentile but 75th for height

I reached out to a private dietician who said she may have a milk intolerance as her volumes are low..she drinks about 600ml at a push (always been fussy, has 2 or 3oz each feed) and that her bowl movements are regular.

We began weaning at 6 months and breakfast she has about 3 tsps, lunch about 8 or 9 tsps and dinner about 5tsps.

I'm super worried shes not consuming enough and not putting on enough weight. Also bit cautious about trying non diary formula as it may put her off completely (heard it doesn't taste nice)

Any advice/suggestions please
Sorry for the lengthy message

I can totally understand you feeling anxious, especially if she's at the lower end of the centiles.

Some children are just naturally at the lower end though, just as some are naturally at the higher end.

600 ml is absolutely fine at 8 months btw. Did the Dietitian give any other reason that she suspected CMPA?

And how is she with finger foods?

Thanks for your response

Its between 540 and 600ml.

The dietitian said the slow weight gain, along with bouts of constipation could be an indication. Also the fact she drinks 2oz per feed then hour later 1oz a and does this throughout the day.

She only weighs 6.1kg 😔

Sorry, didn't answer it all...mum brain

Shes ok with finger food, most of it goes on the floor which adds to anxiety 🤦🏽‍♀️

Milk is the main nutrition until one, so if she’s getting enough of that you’re fine. Those first few months of weaning it definitely seems like they’re not having much but it’ll build up gradually. Are you only doing purées or finger food too? She may prefer a baby led weaning approach where she can explore and taste more food? If she’s following her curve it sounds like she’s just a slim baby, they come in all shapes and sizes like all humans do

Also most finger food ends up on the floor for most babies to start! I did pure BLW and I don’t think I noticed him eating much until 9 months (though I noticed his poo had changed) at 20 months a fair amount is still getting chucked on the floor!

Ok so if she had those signs, it might be worth trialing a formula for babies with CMPA and see if she improves? You'd also have to offer aDF diet too.

If you're worried about it being unpalatable, apparently adding Vanilla Essence or Nesquik can encourage them to take it.