New here with a weight gain question.

[nbuckets2002]

Hello my name is Nichole and im new here and have some questions about my almost 4 month old son Zach. In march he would spit up blood and had blood in his bowels. They were dark and the stool samples came up positive for blood. It was determined that it wasnt from me. Well after many tests the GI doc still doesnt know what happened. But since then things have been different. His weight seems to be on the slow side. When all this started he weighed in at 14lbs 13oz. That was 3/25/08. So after being in the hospital and all these tests his going home weight was 15lbs 3oz on 3/28/08.
Ok so when he went back to the docs on 4/4 he was down to 14lbs 9oz. Same scale and naked, everything the same.
Ok so fine I thought it was just cuz of stress in the hospital and all that.
So on 4/15 I brought him to WIC for a weight check and he weighed 15lbs even.
Then another weight check on 5/1, same scale same stuff, and weighed in at only 15lbs 5oz.
So hes only gained 8 oz since March 25th. Should I be worried about this?
WIC seems to think hes just gonna be a little guy. Well that would be strange because tiny does not run in my family! Everyone is big (tall) including me.
He only poops like once every 6 days, which i hear is normal, but strange from going to pooping 5-6 times a day to only once every 6 days.
He is on prevacid for reflux and it is helping good now. It took a while to actually work.
Now he has pnuemonia and bronchitis.
Just so much going on and I dont know what to do?
He eats all the time and I know my milk supply isnt an issue.
HELP Please!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nichole

[gobucks1013]

:bump:

[RedheadbyChoice]

Wait a second.......the weight checks that you're going by, the only gaining 8 ounces, those were two different scales, right? Am I reading that correctly? You weighed at both the doctor's office and at WIC?

What's your doctor saying about the weight gain? Honestly, I'd get a weight check, then back again in a week (absolutely same scale) to see where babe is; you said he's sick now, though, right? So I also wouldn't be expecting a 'normal' gain, due to that.

How often does he nurse? In say, 24 hours, how many times? Does he take a bottle at all? What about a pacifier?

And hey, both DH and I are taller and yet I make peanut kiddos. ;)

[nbuckets2002]

The first times he was weighed it was the same scale. On the second occassion in April he was weighed at WIC both times with the same scale.
He does not take a bottle at all but a paci sometimes. He loves to suck. I feed him every 2 hours practically on the dot and I feed him til he lets go. So prolly 12-14 times in 24 hours he nurses.
When he was weighed the first time at WIC he was healthy and the second time he was weighed he was sick but his eating pattern didnt change. So far his doc hasnt said anything about his weight gain.

[RedheadbyChoice]

So you feed him every 2 hours; is that by your schedule or his? Does he ever want to eat sooner than 2 hours?


Is babe giving you at least 5-6 diapers a day?

[Nipple_nectar]

Well, you mentioned a few really good reasons why there would be slow weight gain, being sick and reflux is enough of a reason for weight gain to be slow.

Remember that all babies grow on their own curve. Make sure your PED is using a growth chart specifically design for breastfed babies (http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/growthcharts.html).

Honestly, unless the DR is making a fuss, I wouldn't worry. Especially if baby is happy and meeting milestones.

[nbuckets2002]

Thats his schedule. I bf on demand but it seems to be about every 2 hours. Sometimes its sooner or later.
How long should i let him go with little or no weight gain?

[RedheadbyChoice]

Oh, the every 2 hours, as it's on his demand, is more than okay, sugar. I just wanted to clarify if that was your schedule or his. :)

As for the weight gain, I'd get him weighed soon, and then again in 2 weeks. I need to ask again, are you getting at least 5-6 diapers, in 24 hours?

My babies grow a bit slower than others, closer to the 3 oz. a week, not the 5-8 ounces. So I'd be concerned if he weren't getting 3 ounces, or darn close to it. But, hopefully that will pick back up again, since your sugar has been ill. Is he feeling better now? Back to normal?

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree with Red, I would unnofficially drop into the PEDS office for a weekly weigh in until you are reassured that he is growing;-)

You can also do breast compression (http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html) to help baby get to the rich, fatty hindmilk.

I'm interested too: are you seeing a minimum of six wet diapers in a 24 hour period?

[nbuckets2002]

sorry I forgot to add that! LOL!!!
I would say he has about 6 diapers a day, poopy or wet. Do they all have to be wet?