Help-My baby's weight has fallen off the chart

[DollChina]

Hi girls, my son had a 9 mth check yesterday and he only weights 16.1 lb, the nurse said he's fallen off the chart...his height is in the 10-25 percentile.  The doc didn't seems to be too concerned but she said he needs to have a different diet that contains more fat.  Any suggestions here?  I am very worried and don't know what to do since he doesn't like to eat.
Help!
Dolly

[2songbirds]

[wonderme]

Dolly --

What DOES your son eat?  That is the best place to start so that we can all offer other ideas.

Also, how is his behavior?  Is he active?  Involved in play?  Interacting?

And, when you say he doesn't like to eat, what do you mean?

When my youngest was diagnosed with an egg allergy (now outgrown, one food that can, some cannot), the allergist said little ones often SHUN food they are allergic to as a protection mehcanism.  If he doesn't eat, have you checked him for food allergies?  Just a thought.

Lastly, what is your diet like?  I don't know if this applies to you so please do not take offense, but I have friends who say their kids don't eat, but when you look at all the foods the parent doesn't eat, it kind of makes sense.  I see "picky" parent eaters not offering a variety of foods to their kids.

I am lucky because my kids eat everything...unlike most of their peers.  They have been offered a wide variety of foods and have come to enjoy many different things.

Also, a friend told me that she read a child has to try something 11 times before they will acquire a taste for it -- don't know if it's true, but maybe keep offering the food over a couple of weeks and maybe your son will come to eat it.

These are just a couple of thoughts -- like I said, I don't know your eating habits, and I'm NOT trying to lay blame, but just offer some ideas to help.  If they don't apply, please disregard.

And any input to my questions and I think more specific advice will be offered by all...

Good luck!!!

[2songbirds]

I have to tell you that I had the same problem with my now 23 month old. A lil' background...when he was born a month early, he was 8 1/2 lbs. He was in the NICU for a week and lost 1lb. He stayed chubby until 9 months, around the time we had already introduced solids. He refused to eat that much and loved the bubbas. He started to not gain weight and was only in the 5th percentile for awhile, and gradually worked his way up to being in the 50th, where he is today. I fed him whatever he would eat. For awhile all he ate was chocolate donuts and peanut butter sandwiches (spread very thinly). After he turned 1, he almost refused to eat ANYTHING and I got desperate. I would take baby food, water it down and put it in his bubba. He would drink/eat it! I had to do that for awhile, although not proud to admit. It only lasted a couple weeks, then slowly he started liking other food.

Just keep introducing different food to your baby and let him eat the same kind for awhile before giving him a different one. He'll eventually start liking normal food and gaining weight. For the time being, for him to gain weight, lots of bubbas/breastmilk (whichever you're doing).

Good luck, believe me, I know what you're going through

[B&B'sMom]

My 18 month old son has always been a weird eater.  When he was an infant he refused to eat baby food at all.  He only wanted "big people" food.  Then I finally got him to eat baby food fruit and veg when he was a year old.  I figured as long as he was getting it, it didn't matter.  I dropped him down to 2 milks a day.  One in the morning and one before he goes to bed.   He was just filling up on milks and not wanting to try anything new. He just went for his 18 month checkup and the Dr. did some blood tests on him just to make sure he is ok.  He is only in the 10th percentile for his height and 5th percentile for his weight.  He weighs 22lbs.  Everything I give him he throws on the kitchen floor.  It is very frustrating.  My Dr. said if he likes chicken then give him chicken 7 nights a week.  The fruits and veg are only to train him to eat them when he is older.  He said so long as he gets protein it doesn't matter.  Feed him cheese, yogurt, chicken, fish, meats.  The never fail with my son is cucumber, raisins and watermelon.  Also you will find that once he starts walking he will begin the "grazing" stage, meaning he is "too busy" to eat.  Just keep lots of snack on hand so he can pick throughout the day.  The Dr. said it doesn't matter how much he eats in a day (3 meals, etc.) it matter how much he consumes in a week.  Good Luck!  I know how frustrating it is

[DollChina]

My son was born 2 weeks early and weight 5 lb 12 oz.  I know he is not going to be big but he is just so tiny.  He is active, loves to play and interact.  I nursed him for 7 months and now he is on soy formula.  He has about 16-18 oz of formula if we are lucky.  For solids, he was eating congee (soupy rice with meat and veggies), he will get 2 bowls a day and a fruit.  The doc said his diet doesn't have enough fat in it, which is true.  He started daycare last week and was starting table food there.  I want to see what you all are feeding your babies at that age.  I tried fish stick, peas, and potatoes last night and he won't have any of that.  I ended up giving him cereal.  I have a Asian background and that's why he was eating congee.  Also, the doc okayed Whole milk and any foods he wants to eat (no PM, honey).  Also, he will not wat any jarred baby food.....My hubby and I eat pretty heatly, I cool a variety of foods everyday so there's no reason for him to be like that.  Ugh, help....so frustrated.

[tmv]

I think the best way at this age to get the calories/fat he needs is by formula/whole milk. Honestly, I would not start on whole milk right now. The kids that I babysit at this age would typically have 32 ounces in a day(evening included-24hours). But, that's where I'd start.Best wishes and as long as he is continuing to grow/gain and dr says he is ok, then I'd try not to worry too much. Also, try some of the food again, It may look like he doesn't like it but the faces they make sometimes are just that it is different texture/flavor. Best wishes.

[mum2beagain]

Dolly, if Gavin was 5lb 12oz at birth that put him at about the 2nd centile at birth, if at 9 months he is 16lb he is still on the 2nd centile, so although he was and still is a small baby it looks to me like his growth is perfect, he hasn't dropped any centiles. Does he look healthy? When James fell below the 5th centile (he was 50th at birth) he was so skinny I couldn't get clothes to fit him and he was always sick,it was a concern for us because he dropped so many centiles.

Now to get a bit of weight on James I really upped the calorie content of his food (he has some eating problems too that I had to contend with so changing to different foods didn't work).

I gave him as much milk as he would drink (which wasn't much, he didn't like that much either), if Gavin was allergic to milk based formula chances are he won't tolerate whole milk right now either.

I put 2 teaspoons of good quality olive oil or unsalted butter in his dinners, made lots of things with cheese sauces (loads of high calorie cheese in it!)

Gave him lots of yoghurt/full fat fromage frais; he much prefered this to milk anyway,

That's all I can think of now, got to go, baby needs me!

[DollChina]

I have been mixing whole milk with his formula and cereal, he likes it ok.  What other meal ideas do you all have?

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Congee sounds like a great baby food....

Will you ped let him have protein yet?  I'm thinking lean chicken or fish.

[AndiJ78]

Watch the whole milk, it contains a lot of calcium which interferes with the absorption of iron. It is not recommended at this age and I am actually astounded your pedi would recommend it.

Find a way to fatten up the congee. Or cut it out all together if it is keeping him from getting his 32 oucnes of formula. It makes no sense he would tolerate whole milk but require soy, something is amiss that needs to be evaluated.

CJ still nurses more than anything. He gets bits and pieces of table foods here and there. Generally small bits of applesauce, small bites of bread, but he still prefers his cereal w/ bananas. And it cannot be said enough, breastmilk or formula needs to make up most of his intake, not solids. Even after their first birthday you will find babies tend to take in a alot of whole milk. They desperately need the fat provided in the liquid form (easier to get a lot of it in that manner) for neurological development.

[mum2beagain]

Some more meals we gave James to bulk him out;

(All of these I made in bulk quantites and froze in those ziploc tubs, the small ones are perfect size for a baby, the next size up good for a toddler portion)

Cottage pie; finely minced beef (or can use lamb for a different taste) browned in olive oil, a few peas and chopped carrots, cover with water and put in the oven to stew so all meat and veggies become really soft. Topped with mashed potato with butter or olive oil, milk (use formula for babies) and cheese in it.

Lentil and vegateable casserole; Brown the white part of a leek in olive oil ad carrots, sweet potato (or yam) courgettes (peeled and diced) and any other root veggie baby likes. A couple of bay leaves (remove at the end of cooking) and red lentils (okay for babies at about 9 months but only use red the others babies find hard to digest until older). Cover with water and cook on sotve top until all veggies are soft and lentils become pulpy and soft.

Fish pie; skinless boneless fish that flakes easily (James loves salmon or any white mild fish) with small peices of broccoli and carrots (or any veg baby likes really) mix together in a cheese sauce; melt a little butter, add a tablespoon of flour and sitr until you get a thick paste, then add milk (formula for babies) a little at a time until you get a glossy sauce, add loads of cheese. Then top with mash potatoes (again make smooth with a little milk and buttter or olive oil).

Pasta bolognaise: browned minced beef in olive oil, celery, carrots, white part of a leek, mushrooms, tinned tomatoes, a few italian herbs and a little garilc if baby likes, cook in oven or on stove until everything is soft, blitz a a food processor for a few seconds to get a smoother sauce and serve with soup pasta (it is small cooks quickly and perfect for babies).

James also loves to snack on cheese, goldfish crackers, buttered toast, cherrios, pieces of fruit, cream cheese and thinly sliced ham sandwiches, two bite brownies, bits of wholemeal bread.

You could also try mashed avocado (yummy with papaya mashed with it) ,mashed banana, peaches and yoghurt.

Try the comercial infant cereals, mix some of his friut in with it if he is not keen on the taste.

If he really won't drink more milk try to get dairy into his diet through youghurt, cheese and by putting milk in his food. That is what we had to do with James, people don't beleive me but honestly there were days he wouldn't drink more than 8 oz of formula even if we cut back solids to hardly anything he wouldn't up his milk intake.

Hope this is of some help but I honestly don't think you have too much to worry about, a few weeks of more dairy and higher calorie food, even just adding some good olive oil to the food you currently give him will have him putting a couple of pounds on and he will be just fine.

JO

[mum2beagain]

Another thought!

What kind of formula do you have him on? If you have moved him on to one of these 'follow up' milks I would switch back to the first stage formula, the follow up milks seem to make them less hungry. Also if he is having regular whole milk on his cereal it doesn't look like he has milk alergy (allergy) and so perhaps you could go back to a milk based formula (check with your ped).

[mlb1234]

my niece is a little peanut too.  at 1 year she weighed like 18 pounds.  she is a very busy girl and perfectly healthy - just too busy to eat much!  She is at the bottom of the charts too but is very smart and walking and talking like crazy.  Now that she is 1y my sister switched her to whole milk and the doctor basically said feed her whenever and whatever she wants (even keep her on bottles for the time being if it helps).  they are not too worried but are keeping an eye on it (my sister and her husband are pretty small too).  Good luck - I know it is frustrating trying to feed a baby who doesn't like eating!

[DollChina]

Thanks!  I can always count on your guys for great suggestions!  
Andi, I just gave Gavin soy milk after nursing him for 7 months.  He is not allergic to milk base, just dislike it.  I tried putting whole milk in his bottle/cereal mixed with formula and he is fine with it.

Anxious, congee is the number one food Asia people give their babies.  We don't ususally buy jarred food.  It's pack with nutritions.  I add meat and veggies to eat.  He's been eating protein without issue.  It's time consuming to make but I will try to let him have that as much as possible.  I do think that it doesn't have much fat in it.

Mum, thanks so much for the recipes.  I will have to try it them.  He is still on first stage formula.  I am just not sure how much solid they should be eating a day.  2 cups more or less?

[mum2beagain]

As a guideline at nine months;

aprox. 4 tables spoons of cereal (14grams dry weight)
4 tablespoons (60ml) fruit or vegies a couple of times a day
2 - 4 (30 - 60 ml) tablespoons of meat/protien a day.

So in total  just less than a cup (250ml) a day

Some babies will eat a bit more some less.

now is also the time to introduce a few finger foods, cherrios, toast, soft fruit and veggie peices, he will probably just play with these things more than eat them.

Also 24 - 30 oz of formula (you can count the formula you add to cereal in this) per day.

Hope this helps.

[DollChina]

I am only putting whole milk in his cereal and some his formula to see if he can acquire the taste.  I want to fatten him up so bad but I just ran out of ideas.  We don't eat a diet with high fat/calories.  I never have fires, cookies, etc. in my pantry or fridge.  I seriously went out and bought chicken nuggets, fish sticks, cottage cheese, butter, etc. to see if he will eat anything that had higher fat content in it.  I will try to add milk, butter or olive oil in his food.  I think I will make some mashed potatoes or noodles with butter for him.  I will give him some veggies and a meat....
I just feel like crying when it comes to his eating habit...

[AndiJ78]

Again, whole milk does not provide iron like formula will and will inhibit the iron absorption he should be getting from other foods. 9 months is way to early for whole milk other than a splash on cereal or in cooked foods. Giving bottles of milk is a bad idea.

I hope you can find something that works. most concerning is the fact he doesn't seem to be gaining weight, not just that he is small. He needs fat in his diet during the first two years of life especially. Finger foods are a great idea. CJ has been tinkering with veggie and fruit cereal bites, bits of american cheese, bites of breakfast, lunch, and dinner depending on what it is. So far he doesn't appear to hate anything, just prefers to nuzzle up and nurse ; )

Have you tried holding him when he eats? Or feeding him on the fly? I don't put CJ in a high chair, I let him move around and when he wants a bite, he comes over to me. He sits still long enough to chew and swallow and then he is off again. After three kids, i found that it was easier this way in the beginning. As they get older, they get used to eating at the table for meals, but in the beginning they are so busy that they tend to turn off when restrained in a high chair. This of course, is just my personal experience, others may have had different experiences..

[mum2beagain]

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/growthcharts/boysbirth.gif

You can print this off and plot Gavins weight on it for all the times he has been weighed. He should pretty much follow the same line he was on at birth (which is about the 5th I think) although it can go up and down a bit; up during growth spurts and down during phases of increased activity eg when they first start to crawl. If he has dropped way below the centile he was on at birth than it may be a cause for concern. Has he actually lost weight or do you think he hasn't gained enough, if you are really worried ask for a referal to a feeding specialist, they gave us loads of ideas and recepies for smoothies and finger foods with James.

Don't cry.....I know exactly how you feel, we have had a multitude of problems with James' eating and it worries me to death sometimes, he will still only eat the textures given to 9-12 month old and a limited range of finger foods, the amount of food I have cooked that has gone in the bin is unbelievable. We too eat fairly healthily and James won't touch a fish stick, chicken nugget or fries. We eat alot of pasta with lean meat vegetable sauces, rice dishes and stir fries, we do give these to James but add good olive, cheese etc to them to increase calories. I also have a stock in the freezer of the reciepies I mentioned when we have something that may not be suitable (a hot curry for example!) Sam on the other hand is already picking his way through many things James is so fussy about, I think in our case our 7 month old will be independantly eating table foods long before our 3 year old does!!

Have you tried yoghurt or flavoured fromage frais?? Both James and Sam love them, just make sure to get the higher fat varieties.

I think Andi's idea of forgetting the highchair for a bit is a good one. The boys and I sit together at the table for breakfast and dinner (them in their high chairs) but lunch is usually a 'buffet' of finger foods, we sit and play and eat our finger foods down on the floor, a bit messy at times but it takes the pressure off, sometimes it can take over an hour before lunch is finished but it works, I know you work and Gavin is at daycare during the day but maybe you could take this approach at dinner time.  

Hope the chart is useful.

[Trialanderror]

One great food I have not seen mentioned here yet is avocado. My son had lots and lots of that. Fat is so important for brain development, so that is a healthy source that does not contain questionable animal fat and the sodium you find in cow`s milk. And aside from that, like others said, if he was light weight at birth his growth will be in proportion to that. It is probably all fine.
I kept track of my son`s calorie intake until he turned two. He was 9 lbs at birth but then always grew faster in length than the weight could keep up. What I offered around 9 to 12 months was a healthy mix adding up to about 1500 calories and what he actually ate was between 1100 and 1300 calories per day. It is considered normal calorie intake around age 1 but he would not bulk up from it. All those growth charts are based on population average and if there are a lot of kids in the equation being fed the typical North American diet, some will just fall under the theoretical threshold.

[Me2mommy2b]

Doll-I have the same issue.  DD is not small for her age but she gained no weight from 9-10 months (she's very active, all over the place and doesn't really eat well).  Trial-I'll try giving DD avocado.  I hope she eats it.

[tmv]

Until he is a year old the main calories that he gets should come from formula if not breastfeeding. Introducing food at this age is just to get them used to the taste/texture. They do not get many calories at all from table food at this age. Increase the frequency/amount of the formula and I think that you'll see some good results quickly.Best wishes to you.

[Crritter]

I didn't do whole milk till 12 months, not even a little, but my son didn't take well to a milk based formula, so we had to mix soy and milk and back off of the soy.  I would keep pushing that formula, even at 9 months they still get most of their nutrition from the bottle.  I guess my boys are on the big side, my 4 month old weighed 16 lbs. today at the Dr. and he has lost weight from being sick, but he's really long too, and he eats at least 8 oz. a feeding.  If hte Dr. is not concerned though, I wouldn't stress, he's just smaller and babies grow in spurts, out then up.  He's eating lots of solids for his age, sounds like he's doing well, some 9 month olds are still on the stage 2 in baby food.  How did daycare go for him?  I bet he liked watching the other kids and adjusted quickly, babies are so social, it's always harder on mom.

[Trialanderror]

Yes, you are right, the main source should still be breastmilk or formula and cow`s milk only after 12 months. I forgot to say that once your baby starts solids it is important to have him try these AFTER the formula or breastmilk feeding. Otherwise baby may not get enough.

[DollChina]

Thanks so much.  I think more formula makes sense to me.  I will try to get him to drink more milk.  Avacado is great, do you just give it to him plain?

Mum, what is fromage frais?

I will just keep tring and see what he likes.  The funny thing is at his daycare they put down what he ate and it's like geez, you would of never ate that at home....Or he just had 2 bites of everything!

[Trialanderror]

I cut the avocado in strips and just for the color added some slightly cooked carrot strips and some baby rice crackers and cottage cheese, some cooked broccoli or green beans, some apple strips - just so he would have a colorful variety in front of him. Some babies like anything green, some prefer anything orange colored it seems. He was a green type so he usually picked out the avocado and broccoli first. Oh, and every other day I let him have this kind of snack away from home when going for a walk. The same food was laid out on his stroller tray and he really loved the stimulating outdoors AND the picnic type meals versus being strapped in a high chair at home.

[mum2beagain]

http://www.yoplait.ca/minigo/en/minigo.aspx

After a quick internet search it looks like it isn't available in the US, but you could always mix fruit puree with cream cheese for the same effect.

[DollChina]

That sounds like a very yummy dessert/snack.  I will have to go get some cream cheese and fruit to make that.  YOu think I can freeze those in a little jar?

[rubyolivia]

I wouldn't worry about him being in the 10-25th percentile a bit! My friend's little guy is 15 months and he weighs only 23 pounds. He's in the 3rd percentile!!! The doctor is not one bit concerned. He eats just fine.......and nonstop! lol The doctor said as long as he keeps gaining that the numbers just don't mean much most of the time!

[rubyolivia]

Some kids also have a real issue with texture! Try something that is more like the texture of the congee you have been giving him and then start adding more "chunky" foods so that he can be eased into the texture. That is what  had to be done with a child at my daycare a couple years back and she ended up doing great! :)

[AndiJ78]

My kids don't eat fried garbage, but you can add fat without adding bad stuff. Cottage cheese, yogurt, avocado is a great idea, pasta with some cream sauce to dip it in is good. Again, I know I sound like a broken record is to make sure he is getting formula.

[DollChina]

Yeah, I am uping his formula intake and just let him try whatever solid.  I can't really stress on that.  I will see if he will have some cottage cheese and chicken noodle soup.

[peekawho]

Chicken noodle soup...that doesn't have much nutritional value. Lots of sodium, some empty calories from noodles, bits of chicken..  

I hope you do increase his formula and do not mix it with milk, as that will simply fill him up without the benefit of the full strength formula.  It dilutes the formula, without adding much value.  

I liked all the ideas presented.  But the most important is to primarily give him formula, with just some dabbling in other tasty, interesting foods.  If he won't eat them, just try them again another day.  He needs to be presented a variety of tastes, eventually.  If all he eats is congee, then that's all he'll be used to, and he'll refuse everything else.  

Good luck!

[rubyolivia]

You're going to think I need to shut up! lol BUT....I was just reading Peek's post and where she said "If all he eats is congee, then that's all he'll be used to, and he'll refuse everything else"  That is how my friend's 7 year old is! It drives me crazy because ALL he likes are mashed potatoes, applesauce, chicken nuggets and pizza!!! She tries to get him to eat other things but he refuses...and he's 7!!! I think anymore it is more of a behavioral thing, but still!  

[peekawho]

Kids train adults very well, and very easily if you let them.  

[tmv]

I am still concerned as to why he is only taking 16-18 ounces of formula a day. Is it offerered before table food? Also, you may need to switch the nipple to one that he doesn't have to suck that hard out of to get the formula quicker since he is 9 months old. Maybe even try him on a sippy cup that doesn't have a plug in. He may be getting too tired nursing the bottle to drink very much. A softer nipple makes it faster to come out and he could get more volume in less time. Best wishes to you.

[DollChina]

Wow, alot to think about.  He had cottage cheese and apple sauce last night.  I didn't mention that he has an ear infection and is on meds.  I will try other nipples to see if that's the case.
Thanks!

[mum2beagain]

Gavin has the Avent bottles right? He should probably be on the fastest flow nipple by now, James was by 6 months. It is good that he ate something last night, the meds may well be putting him off eating too. I think you are taking the right aproach, cut back his solids to just a few tables spoons each day and his milk intake should increase. Hope it goes well, Jo.

[DollChina]

Yes he does and he is on Number 3.  Should I get the fastest one?

[mum2beagain]

I would, I think the fastest one (number4) says 6 months and up on it, that should help you get a bit more milk down him. You will know if it is too fast, he will splutter and not be able to drink fast enough.

[have 2 kids]

My daughter was very small - still is at 11 yrs old.   When she was Gavin's age the  Dr recommended having a bottle of formula available for her throughout the day along with her regular bottles.  She constantly had one near her and would take a drink whenever she wanted.  She never would eat jarred baby food. We started her on table food at about 11 months.   You aren't feeding him  formula and snacks on a set schedule only are you?      

[brentlie]

China, Gavin will have plenty of time when he is older to stress over weight.  My DD was 16lbs when she turned 1 year.  From the time she was 5 months the dr. was saying her weight was to low and we stressed over it and tried everything and she still did'nt get as big as she needed to.  at 1 the Dr. had me give her ensure drinks 2x a day then she was full and would not eat.  I finally decided that if I made her weight a issue now it would be a issue all of her life so I quit with everything.  She ate when she was hungry and what ever she wanted.  I looked back in my baby book and I was 17lbs at 1 and me and DH are not big people so she is not going to be big eather.  She is 5.5 years old now and weighs 26lbs!  She is still small for her age, but she is healthy.  I would try to introduce new foods and find things he likes, but don't try to just put weight on him.  He will grow up with those eating habits and later in life that could be a problem for him.  Enjoy your little man now he will be a big boy before you know it.  My new DD is 3 months and weighes 10lbs, so I guess we might have the same problems with her.