https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:21:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-459728 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:40:00 +0000 littlek 459728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: yea!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-459710 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:26:28 +0000 winniebee 459710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really happy to report that since our GI appointment ten days ago....T has gained 10 ounces. In between he has had the tummy bug and barely ate for 2 days....but then has made up for it like crazy the last week. Take that alarmist GI doctor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445970 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:26:28 +0000 littlek 445970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: yes! I have a such weakness for Janie and Jack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445243 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:04:43 +0000 winniebee 445243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: Oh those are so cute! I spy some (or lots of) Janie and AJack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445214 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:47:37 +0000 red_seattle 445214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Toddler X was big-ish at birth (8lbs), but since then he has been on the small end (currently 7percentile for his weight at 1 year, down from 38percentile at birth). His weight worries me a lot. But, I guess I'm lucky-- our pediatrician has been really good about reassuring DH and I, reminding us that he is growing, has no major medical issues, he's meeting milestones-- he's a healthy kid. She also points out that she uses the WHO growth chart, not the CDC growth chart (which is apparently more accurate?). There has been one instance where I really doubted her guidance, but overall, I trust our doctor so I try to hang on to the fact that if she says Toddler X is doing great, then he's doing great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445144 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:11:24 +0000 littlek 445144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: here's the link.. sorry to threadjack... it's from B's 6 month session... </p> <p><a href="http://tanyareyphotography.com/blog/" rel="nofollow">http://tanyareyphotography.com/blog/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445081 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:50:50 +0000 winniebee 445081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: Same - Tyler wasn't even on the charts for weight....but he's still VERY low for weight and has seen a big jump in height. Interesting about the formula! Keep me posted - and cute holiday picture by the way I wish it was bigger so I could see : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445066 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:43:40 +0000 littlek 445066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I'm hoping for a jump in percentages since we added 2 bottles a day of special formula for premature babies (i like to call the formula - baby steroids ;) ). But I won't be surprised if we stay low because he has been only eating 1/2 his bottles the past few days... I guess we should be happy they are on the charts. When we first went in LO wasn't even on the chart because he was so little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445036 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:32:37 +0000 brownie 445036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: There are things you can do to add calories without as much bulk. We made our own baby food so we would cook the veggies in oil and then puree them. We also had a month where we added more formula to the mix (thicker formula). This didn't work for us because he started refusing bottles. He knows what his little body needs and is fantastic at moderating his own food intake. He refused the extra calorie formula and when we put oil directly in purees he stopped eating those. So as long as your baby stays on a curve (our is off) then I think they are just fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-445019 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:22:36 +0000 winniebee 445019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: I just feel like every time we make gains and I think he's really doing well they tell me he is still 1st percentile. This might sound mean, but are babies so big these days that my baby is THAT small!? Good luck today - I bet he'll be doing just fine!</p> <p>@sarac: I know I need to remember that gaining 8 lbs in 6 months is really, really good!</p> <p>@lemong: I know, right? My hsuband is a doctor and he's horrified by the poor bedside manner of some physicians. </p> <p>@Bao: Our pediatrician is not concerned and the only reason why we go to GI is because my son had bloody stools at one point becuase of a dairy intolerance. He is on track for all milestones... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444933 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:46:02 +0000 sarac 444933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never worry. I'm small, and unsurprisingly, my baby is small. Yours has more than doubled his birth weight at 7 months, which is absolutely plenty. You've got nothing at all to worry about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444929 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:44:41 +0000 littlek 444929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: You know about my little guy, Brennan. I struggle with his weight all the time. We actually have his 6 month appointment this afternoon and I'm sure I will be bummed when they tell me he is in a very low percentile. B hasn't been eating much this past week because of teething and I don't know what to do either. You can't force them to eat. I don't have any advice I just feel the same way as you do. All we can do is hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444846 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:49:28 +0000 lemong 444846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow - some of these doctors need to work on their people skills! I think most doctors (not all) tend to be risk adverse and alarmist. A friend's LO dropped to 50th percentile for weight from 70th at his 4 month appointment, even though he's been eating well, and the ped told my friend that some babies are "content to starve." It made her feel so badly though he was hitting all his milestones and is a perfectly happy and healthy looking baby.</p> <p>My LO is 4 months and 12 lbs, 5 ounces - 13th percentile. She was born 38 weeks and 2 days, and weighed 5 lbs, 10 ounces at birth. I also constantly worry about her weight gain, but she is maintaining her percentile and her growth curve looks good. The ped is not concerned at all and LO is hitting her physical milestones, so I try not to worry as well. She might just be small! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444798 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:18:44 +0000 Bao 444798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You said the specialist was concerned, but is your pediatrician? Is he meeting milestones? Some babies are just smaller! Our DD is on the smaller side (14th percentile last I knew), but both DH and I are small, like you said you guys are. If he is meeting milestones, still eating, generally happy then I would say not to worry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444790 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:15:55 +0000 LemonLong 444790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 6 weeks old and 7.5 lbs. she was 5 lbs 2 oz at birth. I was induced at 38 weeks due to IUGR, according to my growth scans she had dropped from the 10th percentile at 34 weeks to the third percentile at 38 weeks. They induced me the same day as my 38 week ultrasound. At first I was worried about her size, I couldn't believe they let us bring her home from the hospital at 4 lbs, 11 oz!<br /> At first I took her to breastfeeding support group to be weighed three times a week, but she consistently gained so now I only go about once a week. She's meeting all milestones, has the right amount of dirty diapers and is happy so I'm not concerned that she hasn't ever gone above the 5th percentile. My ped has never mentioned her weight being an issue or suggested we supplement either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444762 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:03:38 +0000 T-Mom 444762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 10% at 15 mo and has been there since 6 mo. He was 7 lb even at birth and was at the 25% for a while and then took the dive to 10% where he has stayed. Like nycalimama I was worried since he was a normal sized baby and then took a dip after starting solids. He is extremely active and an enthusiastic eater. I still worry but aside from pumping him full a butter (not something I am excited about doing, so I only do within reason) I don't know what else I can do! I worry he is not absorbing properly or has G/I issues but nothing really points to that, so I am just learning to relax a little. Hard, for an uptight mommy like myself! Hope things get better for you guys! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444750 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:54:51 +0000 winniebee 444750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of familiar faces here so THANK you for your responding.</p> <p>@brownie: That sounds like a terrible experience with the GI. Ours is not as bad, but does make me fixate more. I think the hardest thing about it is that there's nothing that can be done if my son is drinking 24 oz of milk a day. So when the GI specialist says "we need to keep a close eye on his intake" and keep going for weight checks....why? So we can add olive oil to his food? I don't know, it just seems pointless.</p> <p>He does seem to love solids, so I hope it's smooth sailing as we transition from more formula to more food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444720 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:37:53 +0000 brownie 444720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: You are amazing. My Gastro did the SAME thing to me at our last appointment where he only gained 8 oz in 2 months after gaining a pound a month for the last 6 months (from 11 - 15 months old that's pretty incredible). She was telling me how his brain won't grow and basically how horrible a mom I was. She said he was snacking on breastmilk and not eating. Of course, she wouldn't listen to us when we tried to tell her that he eats just fine. Just the week before he had 3 hot dogs for lunch. I think at this point we are past the worst of it at this point. He is healthy and growing very well. </p> <p>I still worry every single day. Just a few weeks ago, he lost 6 of those 8 ounces from the flu. I haven't gotten the nerve up to go back to the doctor and get another weight check. Yesterday he ate almost all of his lunch and 2 dinners. So, I think if things don't go well at the next appointment, we are gonna drop the gastro. </p> <p>I'm not sure that I will ever stop worrying though. Every time his stools are super loose or he doesn't eat as much as he had been. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444512 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:26:47 +0000 lollipop 444512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also have a small baby. I think you should recognize my story now from previous replies to your post. She was born at 40w1d 5lb5oz and 20 inches (growth curve is similar to your son's). At 11 mths, she weighs 16lbs (scale at home). Everytime i bring up her weigh issues, the ped always says it's genetics and theres nothing much i can do. I'm barely 5ft and DH is about 5'6 (both asian)so yes, she will be a small baby. She does have rolls on her arms and legs tho. They are not huge rolls but it's there. She was diagnosed with silent reflux when she was younger. We tried prevacid for about 1.5 mths and then stopped bc it wasnt really helping. Feeding her a 4oz bottle of formula takes abt 30-45 min but she eventually learned to love the bottle at abt 9 mths. She is purely on formula since bfing didnt work out after 3.5 mths. Solid wise, she's a very picky eater and i'm still struggling 3x/day with trying to get her to open her mouth and not cry at the high chair. I try to be relaxed about her weigh issues but it's hard not to be worried. Aside from that, she is meeting all her milestones at the right age. She is cruising and taking a few steps by herself, sleeping well, playing well and doesn't have seperation anxiety (thank goodness). Eating remains her only 'fault' lol. I know it's hard not to worry but do what you can. As long as your son is meeting his milestones and is happy, then you've done the bulk of your job. Eating is just something you can't really control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444498 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:18:08 +0000 winniebee 444498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tricycle: That's great! My son gained like crazy the first few months which was such a relief. And FWIW my son sleeps better than many other larger babies I know : ) </p> <p>@runsyellowlites: You're right, I just need to remind myself of these things before appointments. it's funny because whenever anyone else posts about feeding/weight issues on here I'm so encouraging but then get worried after each of our GI appts. Never worried after pedi visits though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444470 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:06:33 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 444470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO was 5 lbs 13 oz at birth - and he was a week late. My husband and I aren't especially tiny people, and I was monitored for possible IUGR during pregnancy, which they eventually determined I did not have. </p> <p>In the last few weeks, he's been gaining weight like a champ - no chub yet, but hopefully he'll fill out. I definitely worry about his small size and how that might impact other aspects of his life (like sleeping through the night!), but as long as he continues to gain, I guess I can't freak out too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444441 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:59:12 +0000 SAHM0811 444441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My baby was in the 50th+ percentiles til 4 months and then started declining.... By the time she was around 9 months, she was down to the 10th percentile. I think if she started small and stayed small, I wouldn't worry too much... But the fact that she dropped so much made me worry a lot. </p> <p>She's 17 months now and at the 9th percentile. Dr is fine with it, but I still worry about her eating especially when her appetite goes down. The stress of it sort of lessened at 1 year though. That's because she finally had a break from teething and ate better. When she is sick (like every other month it seems), I worry too... But in general, I didn't obsess too much after the 12 month mark. I know what you mean... You can't force feed them. It does get frustrating to offer food a lot and have it rejected though. I just tell myself, if she's hungry enough, she'll eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444435 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:56:00 +0000 runsyellowlites 444435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Hmmmmm.... I think I would take extra steps to remind yourself of his small size not being a "bad" thing then. Since growth is more than just the numbers I would maybe make a list (mental or actual) of things like his on point milestones, you &amp; you hubby being smaller sized, etc, and then read it before &amp; after your appts with her. I know reminding myself of those things REALLY helped diffuse my worry after our 6 mth appt &amp; settle on the WHOLE picture as opposed to the small percentile part..... Even though she was 1.8% for her weight &amp; .1 (I measured 1.8%) for her head.</p> <p>Tbh I'm pretty aggressive when it comes to things I've researched &amp; I would probably end up telling the specialist something...... "I know your area of speciality IS weight tracking, but its not the only area that determines flourishing growth &amp; since bebe is doing well in meeting milestones &amp; I was a small baby as well I don't think it's necessary to get so worried about the %..... She's gained consistently &amp; developing on-mark." If the specialist didn't stop I would ask my pedi for a different referral (if possible) or keep establishing my stance. I love medicine, but the specialists job isn't to scare or bully you, it's to create a secure trusting relationship &amp; help monitor/treat your sons issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444411 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:47:32 +0000 plaidpants 444411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a small baby too. She was 6lbs 10oz at birth and was around the 25th percentile for weight until her 9 month check-up when she dropped to the 10th. I was freaking out, but my pediatrician was very relaxed about and that helped a lot. He said that she's meeting her milestones and is super happy, so she's doing fine. Also, regarding her intake, I try to remind myself that babies are just like adults - sometimes I'm ravenous and can't stop eating and sometimes I skip dinner and don't even notice! </p> <p>All that being said, her one year appointment is next week and I will definitely have my fingers crossed when they weigh her :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444399 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:41:41 +0000 loveisstrange 444399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a small baby but I know that C has not gained anything or grown at all in nearly 3 months (she's 8 months old). It's not unusual for their weight gain to slow a lot as they get older and more mobile. As long as he is happy and meeting milestones, I don't see why it's an issues. Some babies are just smaller than others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444388 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:38:36 +0000 winniebee 444388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: We kind of can't at this point b/c he is still on reflux meds and needs to be followed for when we introduce more solids since he has MSPI. I just need to take it in stride, but I feel like the GI doc is more of an alarmist than she needs to be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444380 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:36:21 +0000 runsyellowlites 444380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Is it possible to drop the GI doc? If your little misters issues are being managed well maybe just go back to seeing the pedi only. </p> <p>I should add that P was born at 41+5 so had she come earlier she would've been MUCH smaller.</p> <p>If I were in your position I would chat with my pedi about dropping the specialist because it seems to be causing unnecessary worry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444334 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:07:19 +0000 winniebee 444334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: Thanks for sharing your story. Yeah, he is a very happy baby and has met all of his milestones at normal times. His pediatrician is not overly concerned about his size and gain because he is going at his own pace. He's like 1st percentile for weight and 20th for height now. He has a little chubb (mostly in the face, ha!) but he is bigger than both me and my husband were at this age! It's the GI doctor who always makes me feel badly. He drinks 20-28 oz of formula a day (depending on if he has a night waking) and has 2-3 solid meals a day. So, I don't really know what else we could be doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444323 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:00:59 +0000 runsyellowlites 444323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is he meeting milestones? Is he gaining consistently? If yes then I wouldn't worry!</p> <p>That's the stance I've taken with P! She was 6lb 1oz at birth and is now 14lb at 8 months. She didn't have the big initial gain like most bf babies because of severe tongue tie until 7 weeks that her pedi &amp; ENT refused to clip (we had to find a pedi dentist on our own to do it), along with lots of food intolerances that caused extreme reflux &amp; really cut the fat out of my diet. She's basically gained a lb a month &amp; until this last weight check she had been consistently dropping on the percentiles chart.</p> <p>I got alot of flack from her pedi since she was dropping on the charts &amp; was really pushed to start solids despite her not being ready.... This was primarily due to them measuring a small head circumference at her 6 mth check... they measured wrong &amp; instead of remeasuring to double check, they dropped ftt on me. I'm not gonna lie &amp; say it didn't kinda freak me out because it did worry me &amp; I started measuring her head myself at home. I continually told myself that I was a small baby &amp; she's meeting all her milestones which are important factors to take in. Despite the worry &amp; close eye I started having I didn't push solids &amp; just let her nurse on-demand like I did ok the beginning..... She didn't really eat that much more than she had been though.</p> <p>It's only been in the last month that she's really started filling out &amp; is finally in, or atleast near, "normal" range for her percentiles. All babies are different &amp; as long as he IS growing &amp; he IS developing then you just need to remind yourself of that. We are not a one-size fits all species &amp; its okay to be small. ;)</p> <p>ETA: I should add that we don't see any specialists &amp; only visit her pedi at her normal well-chil visits. I'm not anti-doctor, just don't visit them unless its something we can't watch, maintain, or treat naturally..... I'm sure if we were it would be harder for me to look at the full realm of growth &amp; not get stuck on her weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-smaller-babies#post-444288 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:37:23 +0000 winniebee 444288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When did you stop worrying about their intake and size?</p> <p>My son was low birth weight for no apparent reason other than my husband and I are small and were also small babies (he was born 5 lb 5 oz and 17.5 inches). He has never been a piggy eater but has grown in leaps and bounds since birth. He has had some GI issues including reflux and MSPI for which we see a specialist. He's formula/bottle fed so I know how much he eats and keep track of it daily. But I feel like the GI consults and routine weight weighing (and keeping track of his intake) makes me fixate about his intake and size more. It's cold/flu season and he has been sick off and on for a month and only gained 5 oz in 3 weeks and while I am not terribly worried, our GI specialist was concerned. He's almost 7 months and weighs 13 lbs 11 oz and is 26 inches long. I can't force him to eat any more than he is eating. Some days he eats very well (ie, at daycare) and other days he dibs and dabbles with his bottles (ie, with me).</p> <p>Anyways, I'm just wondering how moms of smaller babies deal with the worry over size and intake. </p>