https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:48:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2165595 Sun, 03 May 2015 18:20:11 +0000 Trufflehunter 2165595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So it's been 12 days and we've jumped through all the hoops (nurse, GP then paed) and I'm satisfied there is nothing wrong with her. Paed said there is a possibility of a calorie deficit in my milk supply so to offer expressed milk after feeds a couple of times a day (seems weird because aren't you just double handling the milk? Pumping in order to feed when you could have just fed more often?) and continue with solids intro.<br /> We are going to have a check up in 4 mth to see how she is going.</p> <p>Interestingly the paediatrician uses the 'old' percentile charts, not the current WHO ones. He said she has remained on 10th percentile for height since he saw her at 8 weeks but dropped to the 3rd for weight. </p> <p>What I have learnt: trust myself and my husband that we can make sensible decisions about our daughter's health. Don't see a nurse for a medical issue like weight gain, it is a waste of time (I knew this but I didn't back myself, even despite having worked in medical/nursing regulation). </p> <p>Now I can just relax and enjoy being with my daughter in these precious few months before I have to go back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151882 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 21:31:12 +0000 Trufflehunter 2151882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: me neither! I wish someone could explain it to me. It's such a confusing time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151708 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 18:33:56 +0000 sarac 2151708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never quite understood the hysteria surrounding small and slow to grow kids. Are you and the father big people? If not, she may just take after you. I'm quite small, and my husband is tall but thin, and our daughter is teensy tiny. She grew slowly, and at 3, she's the fastest, strongest kid I know. Being small isn't a problem for her at all, nor has it been for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151640 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:26:29 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2151640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: I EP'd the whole time...just FYI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151638 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:24:50 +0000 Miss Ariel 2151638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in a similar situation here. DD had her 4 month appointment about a week ago and was under 11lbs and at the 5th%ile. When at her 2 month visit she at at the 10th. Our drs suggestion was to feed her more, not to supplement though. She is ebf, but since I work I pump for her and in the last week she's been drinking 18 ounces at daycare instead of 16.</p> <p>Honestly I'm not that concerned though because I was never on the charts growing up. Plus my husbands niece and nephew were the same,so she's getting it on both sides of the family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151617 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:50:21 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2151617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: He is! Once we started solids, it made a big difference. Last time he was weighed, he was at about 10% (up from 2% at one time I think). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151551 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:49:53 +0000 Trufflehunter 2151551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: I'm glad your baby is OK now! Thank you for your response. </p> <p>@FaithFertility: thanks :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151547 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:47:07 +0000 Trufflehunter 2151547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: thanks, that is good to know you could just supplement your BM (and I assume) it didn't dry up. I'm glad to hear you were able to move on without worry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151543 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:45:32 +0000 Trufflehunter 2151543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: thanks for your story :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151541 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:44:53 +0000 Trufflehunter 2151541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Someone: thank you for your response. Is your DS doing better now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151540 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:43:39 +0000 Trufflehunter 2151540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: thanks, she is still gaining weight, but just at a snail's pace and she always has wet nappies. </p> <p>@anbanan15: thank you, that is very informative. Now I have a lot more idea about what can be done. Yes, the nurse said the height dropping off is more of a concern and because she said it was (even though I had been trying to measure her and it looked like she was increasing I guess I was not good at measuring her) I think that led her to referring us to the doctor. Thanks for your vote of confidence in me, I am half-expecting the paediatrician to tell me to start supplementing with formula which will kill off my supply. But I'll do it if he thinks it will help her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151164 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:30:30 +0000 FaithFertility 2151164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: I think that as long as she is following her curve then you guys are ok, all babies are different, many catch up or slow down, hope the Pedi can give you some resources or reassurance that all is ok! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151149 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:20:28 +0000 PinkElephant 2151149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughters were both born right around 5.5 lbs. The younger one caught up quickly and is now around 25th petcentile - nearly 20 lbs - at almost 1 year. The older one was falling off the chart for a long time, and still only weighs about 27 lbs (around 5th or 10th oercentile I think) at almost 3 years. We caught flak from our ped for awhile, then one day she decided the growth was consistent, recognized that I'm also very petite, and shrugged it off!</p> <p>We actually supplemented with High calorie formula and Pediasure for maybe 4 months and it did nothing to change her growth curve. She will be 3 at the end of June and is very bright, potty trained, physically strong, etc. etc. don't beat yourself up - your DD will do just fine - she's most likely just petite! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151119 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:54:17 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2151119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's a bright side...when you're child is a small two year old (like mine) who's talking in sentences, etc., everyone thinks he's super advanced! : )</p> <p>My LO was a preemie and has always been very small, but he's slowly worked his way closer to the chart. (He's now 23 pounds at 2.5.) We feed him as much as possible and have always fortified his liquids. With formula (mixed with bm), we fortified to 24 calories. Now we add whole milk powder to his whole milk, lots of butter, etc...</p> <p>It is definitely hard to find pants that fit though... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2151026 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:53:26 +0000 avivoca 2151026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is small for her age too! It hasn't hindered her, as she is smart, developing normally, and hitting her milestones. We are smaller people (5'5" and 5'6") and she's following the same type of curve that I did (I was very small and skinny until middle school). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150979 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:16:29 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2150979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has always been small, and at around that age he was starting to flatline on the curve too. His issue turned out being reflux and poor suction. Though he would get fussy at the breast and not eat enough, also not signaling his hunger. We ended up starting him on medication and going to OT for feeding therapy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150977 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:13:28 +0000 anbanan15 2150977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: I'm not sure they would test growth hormone before a year. They can also determine the child's bone age via x-ray, but again they wait until over a year at least. Under 12 mo it is a lot of wait and see and lots of weight checks. Sometimes they suggest things like feeding tubes or adding calories to formula or BM, but if LO is remaining in their curve that may not be necessary. A dietician/nutritionalist may be helpful for determining ways to maximize caloric intake if that is something they want to consider. </p> <p>Our endo suggested waiting and rechecking in 4-6 mo before further testing and jumping to growth hormone injections. If her IGF-1 (also called somatomedin-c) and IGFBP-3 are still low they will do further testing where they obtain samples throughout the day since levels can fluctuate and depending on those results are we would discuss treatment options. I already give my LO injections for her bone marrow so I am okay in waiting a little and making sure. We do have a family history of no/low growth hormone so it is something I want to watch closely. </p> <p>Is there a point where she dropped off in height before weight? It is more concerning when they start dropping in height first. If it is a nutritional issue it is usually reflected in weight first. My LO started dropping in height a little before weight and we had her thyroid checked as that can cause growth issues, usually reflected in height first. Her thyroid levels were fine. That is something they can test now.</p> <p>ETA: both of my children were EBF and I was on a severely limited diet for both due to fol allergies. My first gained like crazy! My second didn't and nursed just as much and I had a hearty supply. Please don't think it is you. Every baby is just different and providing her with BM is an amazing gift! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150964 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 09:09:02 +0000 Adira 2150964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: I'm not in the same situation as you before my LO is bigger, but I've heard (and it's held true for us) that babies don't settle into their growth chart until around 6 months. My son was born on the larger side (around 79th percentile) and every appointment, his percentiles were lower and lower until he finally "settled" around 6th months around the 15th percentile. Since then, he's consistently been between 13th and 17th percentiles.</p> <p>As long as your daughter IS gaining weight and having consistent wet diapers, I suspect she's doing fine. Given what you've said, it's possible she's not getting the fatty hind milk (what are her BMs like - frothy green is a sign of a fore milk/hind milk imbalance), but other than that, I'm not sure you need to be too concerned, although definitely listen to your pediatrician. Sometimes babies are just small! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150941 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:50:47 +0000 Trufflehunter 2150941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: thank you :heart: she is so precious to me and people often comment how chubby her cheeks are and how gorgeous she is! I personally suspect she is just little since I am only 5'2" and slight (when I haven't just had a baby haha!) and DH is skinny even now at 30 although he is 6 ft. </p> <p>I would be happy to do nothing because she's so happy and meeting her mile stones etc but I only want to do that with the blessing of medical doctors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150933 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:47:02 +0000 snowjewelz 2150933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend's 2 and a half year old still fits into 9 mo clothes. She is TINY but from what I can see very healthy &amp; smart and doing just fine! My ped always said that as long as DD is growing along her own curve, so don't worry about comparing to the "avg" curve. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150930 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:45:23 +0000 Trufflehunter 2150930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anbanan15: yeah I think she is basically starting to flat line in the last week or so. She's never really maintained her curve. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150925 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:43:28 +0000 Trufflehunter 2150925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: thank you. Yes the comments don't bother me, it's more the literature which states they are supposed to double birth weight by 6 months that concerns me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150921 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:41:04 +0000 twodoghouse 2150921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: I wouldn't assume your milk isn't nutritious! Your body knows what it's doing! She may just have a fast metabolism or just be very petite. Are you and your significant other small? Both DH and I are short and pretty small (well, I'm less small than I used to be, haha) so I'm not shocked that our kids were little. My ped took a pretty aggressive approach with my kids, but that's not the only way. If she's eating well and meeting milestones, she might just be a little one. Ignore the comments, if you can (harder done than said!) and treasure your little girl! You're doing a great job mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150920 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:40:09 +0000 Trufflehunter 2150920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anbanan15: ok thanks for this I didn't know about what kind of tests there are. It seems as though the approach is always 'let's wait and see'. Like, what happens after waiting and seeing? Is there some kind of steroid or something that is given? What's the treatment? :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150915 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:37:32 +0000 Trufflehunter 2150915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: she is EBF. I feed her on demand and even offer more at random times in case she just hasn't signalled her hunger. She's not hungry after feeding (I've tried giving her a bottle of BM after a feed and she isn't interested). I also know it's not a supply problem because after a feed I can express an ounce quite easily.<br /> I can only think my milk just is not nutritious.<br /> Thank you for your response.! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150914 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:36:32 +0000 anbanan15 2150914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Pirouette:. The main thing at this age is that she is following a curve - HER curve, it doesn't actually have to be on the chart - and that she is meeting milestones appropriately. </p> <p>For us my LO dropped on the charts and flatlined both forms of growth all together. That's when doctors start to get real excited. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150910 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:30:54 +0000 Pirouette 2150910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all, ignore the comments! it's like when you are pregnant and people say your bump is huge or not big enough, etc. People are going to comment on the size of your child, and you kinda have to just ignore them.</p> <p>I have a very small LO, and she's perfect in every way. She's always been small, and she'll always be small, but all that matters for now is that she stays on her own growth curve, and she has. And she's met all her milestones early, etc., so i know she is fine. As for long term outcomes, that is totally individualized, so it's impossible to say. However, we were assured that even if she stayed in the single digits through the first few years, she'd likely hit a spurt later on in childhood and catch up a bit. She might never be in the WNBA, but i'm not exactly tall either. Also, when she's older, there's a lot more they can do, such as steroids and such, to maximize growth. however, at this young age, all that matters is her growth curve. Once LO turned a year, she started growing a lot in height all of the sudden, and she's suddenly in the 20s for height!!! her weight is still in single digits, but that's way less of a concern, because that's easier to change. So just because she's 1% now, doesn't mean she'll always be in the 1st %ile, don't worry! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150908 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:29:42 +0000 anbanan15 2150908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is small too and I get comments all the time, either directly to me or where people don't think I can hear. She's 17 mo now and I'll hear things like "she is too little to be walking" and be questioned on her age all the time.</p> <p>We had her growth hormone checked in Feburary and her IGF-1 is very low but her IGFBP-3 is in the low end of normal, so her endo wanted to give her 4-6 mo and recheck again before discussing the next step. She eats a ton now, but her growth is still slow, especially vertical growth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150906 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:29:22 +0000 twodoghouse 2150906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trufflehunter: Is she breastfed, formula fed, or a combination? My twins were small (4 lb 15 oz and 5 lb 15 oz at birth) and it took until 4 month appointment for my son to make it onto the growth charts. We put my kids on reflux meds at 2 weeks old (they were spitting up whole feedings which obviously had an effect on their growth) and fortified their formula feedings to 24 calories (they were breastfed with formula supplementation). I think the 24 cal formula made a huge difference for them in gaining weight! At 11.5 months old, my son is 40% and my daughter is 15% and thriving. Your daughter may just be small (my daughter appears to just be this way), but there may be some things you can do to bump her onto the charts if you or your dr are concerned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-at-4-months#post-2150902 Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:26:34 +0000 Alivoo01 2150902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS quit growing in utero at 32 weeks. I was induced at 37 weeks because the OB was concerned his lack of growth could be fatal if we didn't get him out ASAP vs letting him grow till 40 weeks.</p> <p>Therefore, DS came out itty bitty and has remained small. We're consistently hanging out in the ~1-5 percentile for height and weight. However, his height to weight growth ratio is perfectly fine so the pedi isn't one bit concerned. The pedi's comment - he just started lower on the launching pad! </p> <p>DS is feisty and very smart at 21 months, just small. It doesn't affect his development and growth one bit!! We get comments all the time since babies 6+ months trump him in weight. Oh well. My baby boy is growing and thriving. People can shove it! </p>