infant weight gain - Children's Health Message Board

BELLE · 03-02-2001, 12:32 PM

I have an 8 month old boy who wont gain weight. He was born at 7 lb 11 oz but is only at 15 lb 10 oz.
His dr wants him to drink at least 40 oz of formula a day but he barely drinks 26-30 oz. He is very healthy and is crawling, sitting on his own and even standing. I try to feed im more but hell only eat 4-5 oz at a time. Please any suggestions would be helpfull and greatly appreciated...Thanks

Lynn893 · 03-03-2001, 12:38 PM

he's 8 months old - is he eating solids? pablums, fruits, starting on vegetables??

If he is drinking up to 30 oz. of formula plus eating breakfast of pablum and toast, lunch of fruit, and dinner of vegetable and a bit more fruit, plus snacking on juice and soft foods (bananas, toast, plain yogurt, etc...) then don't worry - he is getting enough.

BUT... if he is not eating, and only drinking up to 30 oz of formula per day - then I would suggest taking him back to see the doctor and discussing your concerns and fears.

He was born weighing 7 lbs 11 oz. which means that he should be near 22 lbs at one year. So it sounds as if he is not that far from his weight goal.

I hope that this helped some. I am a mother of three. They are 10, 3 1/2, and 1 1/2. And I understand what it is to worry that they are not eating right. Take care and keep us informed of how things are going with you and your baby.

Peace

~mandy~ · 03-04-2001, 04:48 AM

has your baby lost any weight? or stoped gaining weight for any period of time? If your baby is active and progressing properly, doesn't seem overly tired then i wouldn't be too too concerned..unless of course he has lost weight or stoped gaining.
Has he ever been tested of any disorders that may be the cause of his slow weight gain? Also, like the other poster said solids would be a good idea, but choose them carefuly, since he's not a big eater you want what he is eating to count, chose foods high in vitamins and high in calories, and a infants vitamin supplement may not be a bad idea either if he's not already on one.
If you want more answered from the doctor you may have to switch doctors...you can't force food into your son, that is not the solution, and how much he eats may not necessarily be the reason for his slow weight gain. I would take him to get looked at by another doctor.

Soni · 03-06-2001, 10:42 PM

Hi I have a son named Shawn and he will be 4 years old on March 21st. When Shawn was born he weighed 6 lbs. 9 ozs. When he was 3 weeks old he lost down to 6 lbs. and 3 ozs, at 8 months old he only weighed 14 lbs. 13 ozs. Shawn only weighs 28 pounds at age 3 almost 4 years old. My doctor has tested shawn's thyrod and also tested him to make sure he is not anemic. He is a very healthy 3 year old. He doesn't eat alot of anything and when he eats he likes fruit and vegatables. He doesn't like french fries or anything with breading on it, in fact if he eats anything like okra, onion rings, shrimp or chicken he always removes the breading, I make sure he drinks milk everyday, infact he drinks chocolate milk and he still just 28 pounds. If a stranger would look at Shawn they would think that I starve him because you can see his ribs, but I can promise you he is very healty, just very active. I hope this information is helpful to you and I wish you the best of luck with your child.
Soni Gordon