Increase My Baby's Weight

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Increase My Baby's Weight

by shabnam khan
(abha,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

I've a baby girl who is 11 months to go in May. She eats and drinks almost every thing along with my milk but still she weighs 6.5 to 7kg's.

Please tell me some easy and convenient ways to increase my baby's weight.

On the other hand, help me to decrease my own weight that's 70kgs that was earlier only 47. Please help me I'll always be thankful to you.

Thanks n bye.

Find answers and comments below.

Comments for
Increase My Baby's Weight

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Apr 23, 2009

11 month girl - increase weight?
by: Baby Help Line - Annie

Hi Shabnam,

Your baby is a bit under the average weight for her age, but these are just guidelines. There are lots of variables, genetic factors, her birth weight, whether she has had any illnesses etc. If your weight was 47kg before having her, then I would suspect she has a small build.

Normally you would expect a child to have tripled birth weight by about 12 months. But if she is eating and drinking everything happily and is happy and comfortable then she is thriving then I wouldn't get too worried about it. If she is unhappy, not eating, listless etc then get her checked out.

At her age, milk is still the most important part of her diet, so solid foods are really just introducing tastes, textures, and different experiences. It only provides a small percentage of her calories.

Don't make a big issue out of it, just offer her food frequently if she seems hungry. Many babies prefer to feed them selves rather than have a spoon pushed into their mouth. Lots of finger foods like pieces of cooked vegetables, fruit. Let her try to feed herself - it is messy, but she will learn lots more than by you doing it.

Let her explore and play with her food. Peas were a favorite of my babies, trying to pick them up one by one. You can be sneaky and pop a spoonful in between while she is concentrating, but if she gets annoyed then stop as you will just set up a battle. Here are ideas on other finger foods as well.

Food is something to enjoy, it is a big part of our social interactions so making it fun and exploratory at this age is the best thing.

In regard to your weight, your body does change after having children, and many women never get back to their pre-birth weight.

The thing to watch is are you eating properly - many Mothers, particularly if they are back at work, get so busy, they start skipping breakfast, then eat junk food mid morning or for lunch etc. Just make sure you are eating sensibly, getting some exercise and celebrate your womanly curves! You can read a bit more about losing weight while breastfeeding here.

Enjoy your lovely little girl,
Annie Desantis

Apr 24, 2009

thanks a lot - not so worried anymore
by: shabnam

Hi Annie, I want to thank you for that you explained me everything in such a nice way. Now I am feeling much better than earlier after getting ur answer.

I can't tell you how worried I was that day when i was writing you. You know Annie actually what happened is that first I was not that worried but the rubbish relatives and friends they don't let you live happily. When they see my daughter they say that 'OH SHABNAM UR BABY IS LOOKING SO THIN AND WEAK AND HER WEIGHT IS ALSO DECREASED PLEASE GO TO THE DOCTOR'. WELL it is really nice to talk 2 u.
Thanks a lot for everything take care

Nov 12, 2009

Low weight
by: Parvathi

Hello doctor, I am Parvathi fr India, i had a girl baby on birth its 2.7 kg.. But after 40 days its 2.3 kg. I take her to paediatrician.. he made all type of tests and said there is no prob... because of not feeding well it has become low weight and he suggested to breastfeed well.. Please guide me what to do I am totally depressed.. Thank u...

Nov 16, 2009

Frequent feeding?
by: Baby Help Line - Paula

Hi Parvathi,

Congratulations on your little baby! How good of you to seek medical advice when you were worried about your baby's lack of weight gain. Being so young, certainly your baby should be gaining weight. The doctor you met obviously ran a number of tests and couldn't find anything wrong, which is good of course.

You mention that breastfeeding is not going well. What is not working for you? Is your baby not latching on properly or is it simply lack of milk?

If it is the latter, you can try to breastfeeding every two hours around the clock for two or three days. That is likely to increase your milk supply significantly. This can be quite exhausting of course, so if you have someone (your husband, mother, friend) who can help you out with cooking etc during those days, please don't hesitate to ask for help.

If you feel that it is not the milk supply that is the problem, but rather your baby's ability to latch on or something similar, then if possible try to find a midwife or doctor in your area who can help you get it right. It is very common to have these kind of problems in the beginning, but it can often be easily solved with the right guidance.

Third, remember to breastfeed on demand. No waiting for three or four hours or so. Being so small, and probably needing to catch up, your baby needs to eat frequently. So any time your baby shows signs of wanting to eat, then breastfeed. That will also help increase your supply.

Also remember to try to really let your baby empty one breast before switching over to the next, so that a lot of the fat hind milk gets to your baby.

Fourth, try to remember to get some rest, eat properly and dring a lot of water yourself, to help your milk supply.

Last, always remember to go to a second doctor with your child, if you didn't think you got good advice from the first.

I hope this gives you some ideas and I really wish you good luck.

Please write back and let me know how you are doing,

Paula

Oct 13, 2011

my baby does not like formula milk
by: Mahek

hi i m mahek.my problem is that my son is almost 6 months old.his birth wait was 3 kgs.i had to start him formula milk as i felt my milk was not being enough for him.now that Alhamdulillah he is six months i have started giving him solid foods also.but now he is really giving me a hard time while taking bottle feed.as i read milk is very essential for the baby in the first year i wanted to feed him milk as far as possible but he takes only 90ml milk that too only twice a day but on the pack the quantity of milk per feed is 180ml.he takes my milk very happily but it will not be enough.i am worried as i can not give him solid food everytime when he is hungry as it is causing constipation to him.pls if anyone can answer.jazakallah.thanks.

Oct 19, 2011

Creative feeding when baby refuses milk
by: Paula (EasyBabyLife)

Hi Mahek,

Some babies do like your little one - once they have achieved a taste for solid foods, they love it enough to start refusing milk.

As you say, milk - breast milk or formula - continues to be important throughout the first year, so some creativity is needed.

One thing to do is to see if your baby accepts milk in a sippy cup. Some like that better.

Another thing you can try is to always mix formula into his foods. If you make your own baby food, never mix the veggies with water, always use breast milk or formula. And add the milk after boiling, to not destroy any of the nutrients.The milk can be added to canned baby food too.

You can also make healthy formula/breastmilk shakes for your baby. Mix breast milk or formula with a piece of banana, some apple juice orprne juice, apricot puré or anything similar that your baby likes. Just NO sugar, salt or honey. Just healthy foods.

You can find more ideas for making healthy formula/breastmilk shakes in this thread.

Finally, continue to offer the breast or bottle to your baby, without making it a power struggle. Sometimes babies refuse the breast or bottle for a couple of days or weeks, only to suddenly revert to wanting it again.

Also remember that your baby was born relatively low to average weight. If he grows and thrieves, you don't have to worry about his weight. Some people just are skinny, and there is no reaseach showing any disadvantages from that. (Rather the opposite!)

Try to make the meals a joyful, nice event. That is the best way to make a baby eat.

Hope this helps,

Paula

Oct 24, 2011

how can i give flavour to formula milk
by: mahek

thanks paula for ur concern.can u please let me know any ideas regarding adding flavour to the formula milk.i have tried adding a little quantity of mango juice to the bottle and i think its working.can i continue in this way or is it not safe.also if u can give me few more ideas on this.thanks

Nov 17, 2011

hi
by: praniza

hi..my baby is 16th month but her weight is only 10 kg. i want to see my baby looking fat.plz give me suggestion how many time i will give her meal&milk.and what is most needed to eat my baby..

Nov 17, 2011

To Praniza - Feeding schedule and more
by: Paula (Easy Baby Life)

Hi Praniza,

I totally understand that you worry about your baby's weight, but really unless she has lost weight or seems to be ill or weak, she is likely to be perfectly fine. Some babies simply are skinnier than others and it is far more of a concern from a health perspective if a child in overweight compared to skinny.

That said, of course she needs to eat healthy foods regularly to help her thrive.

Take a look at this feeding schedule It is from the age of 8 months, but works pretty much all the way until at least 2 years old.

Also try to focus on making the meals a pleasant time, to avoid power struggles - they only make a baby eat less.

If your girl doesn't have time to sit and eat - many young toddlers are on the move all the time, yo can give her a bit to eat on the go (but nothing that she can choke on!)

Among the comments to the fist question below, there are several parents struggling with babies who don't want to eat. Read the tips and see if anything can be of help:

Baby learned to walk, won't eat

And here is another baby who doesn't have time to sit and eat.

I hope this helps,

Paula

Jan 23, 2012

Not drinking formula NEW
by:

Hi, my baby is 11 months old .i still breast feed actually I tried feeding him formula when he was 6 months and failed,he hate the smell.he won't drink it and won't eat any thing mixed with it......please help

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