Baby's Low Weight

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Baby's Low Weight

by Shalini
(Melbourne)

Hi
Im Shalini and I gave birth to a 3.1 kg baby girl last June. Now she is 8 and a half month old but she weighs 8 kg only. She is eating 3 meals a day with only 120 to 150 ml formula milk 3 times a day plus I nurse her about 2-3 times including one feed at 3 or 5 am. She neither looks too thin nor too fat. Now I'm trying to give her less solids n more milk during the day. Apart from that she is getting anti tubercle treatment for BCG Lymphadenitis. This doesn't seem to bother her but I have to do her daily dressing. She is an active baby n talks a lot. Please tell me how can I help my baby to gain more weight. She has always been 25th percentile on the growth charts. I don't feel happy when I think that she is below average compared to other kids. I would be grateful for your help.
Thankyou

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Baby's Low Weight

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Mar 08, 2011

She's fine!
by: Paula (Baby Help Line)

Hi Shalini,

I can understand your thoughts since your daughter has a relatively low weight compared to average. But remember that averages is just a statistical number.

The way you describe your daughter, I'd say she is completely fine! A rule of thumb is that a child should have tripled their birth weight by their first birthday, and your daughter is almost already there at 8 months old.

So please don't worry and don't compare her with other children. If she is happy, healthy and developing fine, she really is fine and you should relax and enjoy her company instead of worrying about her appearance.

Are you or her dad skinny or were any of you when you were children?

As long as a child gets all the nutrition she needs and grows according to her growth curves, there is nothing wrong or dangerous about being skinny. Being obese is a lot more harmful.

So be proud of her and of yourself and just relax.

Paula

Mar 08, 2011

Thanku Paula
by: Shalini

Many thanks for yr reply Paula. I have never been skinny but my husband was in his adolescence. I also wanted to talk about her development. Firstly she sleeps only for 10 to 12 hours in a day. Secondly she isn't crawling yet and has no teeth. She loves standing when she is in our arms and jump. I have been giving her tummy time as much as possible but she keeps rolling and lifting herself with the help of her arms. Then after few minutes she will come on her back again. Is that common with other kids?
Also how can I help her prepare being in a childcare without mommy for a few hours? She has never stayed away from me and we are very attached.
Would u know about BCG Lymphadenitis? Is it very common in Australia?

Mar 09, 2011

Her milestones...
by: Paula (Baby Help Line)

Hi again, Shalini,

Let's take a look at her milestones:

No teeth yet - normal. Most children have their first tooth before there first birthday, but not all.

Not crawling yet - normal. At 8 months old some babies have started to move around one way or the other, but far from all. Some crawl or shuffle around like small soldiers, some sit up and move around on their diaper. Others can't either sit or move around yet.

Standing and jumping - quite early, but within the normal range.

Preferring back to belly position - very normal. It takes quite a while to build the neck and back muscles to make the belly position convenient for babies.

To me, she seems like a perfectly normal, thriving baby.:-)

Regarding childcare at this age, the key is to go slowly if possible. If she has a chance to get to know and bond with the childcare provider before you start leaving her, it will make the process a lot less painful. Can you go visit the childcare several times before she starts there? Or can you start off with one week of short visits when you don't leave her in the beginning and the just for a few minutes the first times, then prolonging the time. The key is to allow enough time for her to bond and feel secure with person who is going to take care of her the most.

I know in some places it is also possible to ask the childcare provider to come visit in your home, to build even more of a bond with the baby.

It can also sometimes be easier if it isn't you (if she is the most attached to you), but her dad that takes her to daycare in the morning.

Finally, I am sorry to hear that she has BCG Lymphadenitis. It is not common here and I am sorry to say, I am in no way an expert in that field. I am happy to hear, though, that it doesn't seem to bother her and that she is getting proper treatment.

I hope all this puts your mind at ease. Your daughter is growing well and hitting all her milestones.

8 month old is a great time for playing interactive games. I have listed a few suggestions in the 8 month old link above, where you can also read more about milestones at that age.

Wishing you Joy,

Paula

Mar 20, 2012

Lactose Intolerant and Exzema NEW
by: Karen

WHAT FOODS CAN I FEED MY LACTOSE AND DAIRY INTOLERANT 8MNTHS OLD BABY?

CAN U HELP ME WITH A 3 MEAL PLAN?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH

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