Child's Weight Gain

I could not get my daughter to take a bottle for the longest time until I tried the bottles that come with the drop sleeves. They have different size nipples and the smallest one is like a breast to them and that is the only bottle my daughter would except. The bottles are called playtex drop-ins.

I'm studying to become a speech language pathologist and part of our field is feeding development. Is your son still gaining weight at all, even though he's not on the charts for his age? Make sure that the pediatrician is taking you and your partner's stature and growth history into consideration. If you're both very petite people and/or had slow development as a child, then your son may be the same. Otherwise, see if he's interested in playing with (and taking a few bites of) solid foods that easily melt in the mouth, like biscuits or rice crackers made for kids. Playing with and experimenting with food will help him develop a healthy relationship with eating food. The doctor's advice about waiting 24 hrs. doesn't sound outrageous although it's difficult to do as a parent. Just think, it may be tough now but it's in his best interest in the long run. Wish you the best!

It sounds to me like The Dr should be looking at other issues as well. I never had a problem with weight gain in my boys and both breast fed for around two years. I would not let my child not eat for that long no matter what a pediatrician said!! Keep in mind that the pedi is just a person too and can make mistakes.

Formula is not the end all be all either. If the baby will not take the bottle or a sippy cup I would be EXTREMELY uncomfortable in weaning him. PLEASE talk to a lactation consultant. Pediatricians do not have a background in breast feeding or nutrition!!!

Also try to get a second opinion on this. It sounds like they are saying it is just the breast feeding causing the issue. If there is an underlying problem and you wean him you will be stuck with it even if that does not "fix" the problem. If he has been fine up until now maybe he is hitting his normal growth stride. Are you or his father small people? were either of you small when you were children?

The Doctor needs to do what he/she feels is best for the baby but they might not have all the answers on this one. Make sure that that you optimize the breast milk quality and that your baby is getting the hind milk (the later part of a full feeding) rich in fat. If your son eats table foods why not increase the calories from that source?? IMO (not a DR) Breast feeding should not be stopped as it is one of the best ways to provide nutrition through the first year of life! The APA recommends breast feeding for at least 12 months for a reason.

Best Wishes & God Bless,
R.

S.,
i went through the same situation (and am still the loving mother of a 5+ year old non-eater). if you are doing the best that you can do, relax. my son is over 5 yer old and only weighs 32 lbs. we recently threw out his last 24 month old clothes. after bloodwork showing that he is abnormally healthy (never had a dr. exam except well-child exams) they tell me that he has something called constitutional growth delay. if your beautiful boy is otherwise healty, have patience.

As far as getting him to drink a bottle, one of the tricks I used was wearing a washcloth inside my shirt. When I had to go somewhere my friend would take the bottle and wrap it in the washcloth so my son would smell me.

As far as the weight issue....it sounds like an iron problem. If you are anemic it will prevent the baby from gaining any weight. If you can start taking a heavy iron supplement and give him cereal that is iron fortified....you should notice his weight start to pickup. You may also want to have your doctor check your blood work. I just went through this with another friend. Lack of iron will greatly affect a babies weight gain. Iron plays an important roll in a babies weight ....you should be able to google it and find all kinds of info. I had no idea until we started looking into it for my friend. He had not gained past his birth weight for 5 months. Adding the iron fortified cereal and mom taking supplements saw packing on the weight. I hope this helps...I nursed all three of mine and they are now 14,12 and 10.

Hi S.,
First, let me say do what you think is right for your baby and it will be okay. Mom knows best. Trust your instincts whatever they may be. Breast milk is good and formula is fine too (don't let people tell you it's not). A combination is good too as long as you are comfortable with it. You may want to increase what table food he is eating (if he is ready). My daughter is 9 months old as well and eats a variety of foods. I've recently started drifting from baby foods as she has become much more independent and daring. As for the bottle, you can always try a different brand/nipple. By 9 months they should be fast flow. The slower flowing ones can be frusturating for an older baby.

Again, take the suggestions and make your own decision. Good Luck

Have you tried giving him small pieces of food that he can feed himself? My daughter Kaitlyn would rather feed herself than be fed. Try things that are easily gummed...if he doesn't have teeth to chew. Try to make eating fun for him. He will eat when he is ready...just trust yourself.

Good Luck

If you are a stay at home mom, is there any reason why you have decided to ween him off the breast. If formula is what they suggest, why not continue breast feeding for the time being. It is much healthier and unless there is a health issue for you, it may be the best way to go for now. I am a grandmother now but I nursed two of my four children (last two) and I never did regret doing it for over a year. If you are not uncomfortable with it and it fits into your daily routine, just go for it. Make sure that little guy gets all the nourishment from Mom that he needs and worry about weening him at a later date.
I am definitely not a professional, just a Mom.

Have you tried having someone else give the bottle (when he is hungry) when you are not around? I have heard people have more success getting baby to take bottle from someone other than mom.

Hi! I'm a mother of 2 boys 2 and 4. My youngest when he was around 7ish months 'fell off the charts' and became 'failure to thrive' due to his weight. I nursed exclusively and the doctor wanted me to trade 3 of his feedings for a bottle. And to 'butter' everything. Real butter and olive oil. You can stir in olive oil in baby food if you little one still takes baby food. Needless to say I refused the formula, and my little one always gained weight at each check up. BUT not on that chart! He's 2 and is still 'off the chart' but thankfully his doc says he follows his own and has gained and he's FAR from failing to thrive!

My advice is trust your mom instinct...keep nursing. Stand your ground. Give the little guy extra calories where you can and remember that the chart that they 'measure' babies by was done in the 70s in like Idaho the babies were all formula fed as well. Do give a sippy with diluted juice (extra calories) We liked a smoothie with fresh fruit and full fat yogurt (lots of calories!) And bagels and cream cheese is good too and good for gumming on for teething. Hang in there, Doctors are great but so are moms and you are there 99% of the time and the doc has what 15 mins every 3 months? They do whats in the best interest of your children, try consulting a lactation consultant about possible ways to boost your supply. It's hard to hear that 'you aren't doing something that your body is supposed to do' and they hand you a bottle when you have stuck with nursing for so long. Don't torture your baby by not feeding him. And the wonderful thing is that he more than likely won't gain weight in 2 weeks babies aren't designed that way! They grow in spurts I don't know why docs do that to moms!

I'm sorry that you have to go thru this it's very upsetting. Take best care and do what you think is best. And remember some kids are just small. My 2 year old is nearing 24 pounds but just barely.

Maybe you can try to eat much fattier foods yourself, so the fat can be passed along in the breast milk? I know that's probably not ideal for you, but some of the fat and nutrients you take in affect the makeup of the breastmilk, so it could help. I'd recommend cheese or dairy type fats. Also, if you would consider "bulking" up your breastmilk so that you have more to give each feeding, try Mothers Milk tea or fenugreek or fennel seed. I nearly lost my milk twice last year (due to stress) and those really fixed it, and provided my ravenous son with what he needed. Good luck!!!

I have two boys as well. One just turned 5 and the other is 8 months. My five year old would not take a bottle to save his life. He refused bottles and anything in them. He also had some problems with weight gain. He wasn't even on the charts. I kept nursing and started trying to feed higher fat content foods. My doctor suggested when I fix him hot dogs, for example, I would put like a tablespoon full of butter in the pan while I cooked them. I also started giving pediasure which tastes sweeter than formula. Long story short, my son is still one of the pickiest eaters around. To this day, he only eats peanut butter, waffles, chicken nuggets, and oatmeal. Literally, that is all he eats. He is still on the skinny side but he's growing. I wouldn't worry too much. Some kids just won't take bottles. Keep trying the sippy cups with maybe a little bit of juice in it. Your doing a great job. Keep up the good work.

Don't feel bad. I am breastfeeding right now and I feel as though I am not providing my baby girl enough, but her weight gain reflects otherwise. You have done an excellent job at going on this long with breastfeeding!

Some children are very stubborn when it comes to what they want. Your son may be experiencing some nipple confusion. As another responder pointed out, the flow may be too slow for his liking. So looking for a nipple that is similar to yours is important. I use Playtex.

I believe your son will get used to it, it just takes a little patience and perserverence. I can say that it pains the heart when seeing your children suffer. (It just about kills me) At the same time, it is sometimes necessary to go through a little pain to help your child thrive. Continue to try multiple times every day (I don't think for 24 hours though...ouch). Its kind of the battle of the wills. Who will break type thing. I wish you the best of luck.

I'm sure you've already done this, but I would definitely speak with his pediatrician ASAP. There could be an underlying illness or allergy that he has that you're unaware of. My girlfriend's daughter just stopped eating bananas one day, even though my friend kept pushing her child to finish them. Turns out she's deathly allergic to them! Sometimes children just instinctively know when and what they can and cannot eat. Speak to his doctor today. Good luck! I hope it turns out to just be a picky eater on your hands :)