Pediatrician Keeps Saying Baby Is “ Small”

[Anonymous]

My baby just turned 8 weeks old and the pediatrician again mentioned his weight and how he is small. She has mentioned that at every appointment we have had. He is gaining weight but he is a smaller baby. She keeps talking about baby averages and how he is not on par with other boys his age. I was so worried that I even switched to exclusively pumping to make sure he was eating enough. When that didn’t work, we supplemented at the advice of the pediatrician. Now he gets a milk so pumped milk and formula. I’ve even done a full week of formula to see if my breast milk was the issue and he gained the same amount that he normally gains with breast milk and formula so I switched back. I feel like a failure every time I leave an appointment. I’m wondering if we should seek a second opinion. My question to you is are some babies just small regardless? He is on his growth curve but he is small for a baby his age.

[Anonymous]

How small?

[Anonymous]

Always worth it to get a 2nd opinion. That would be really frustrating and disheartening. It sounds like you are doing everything possible to help your baby put on weight so I’d talk to another ped.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your baby is small. It is the doctor's job to inform you of this. Please try to accept this information....if your baby is growing, that's all that matters. Sounds like you're doing a great job of keeping the baby on their curve! Try not to take what the doctor is saying personally.

[Anonymous]

Are you and/or DH smaller people?

I freaked out when my baby was about 5% on the weight curve. He just hovered in the 3-8%ile and wouldn't get any fatter. Height wasn't an issue. Nurse was really nice and said, "Mom! Look at yourself! You're tall and thin! He is just built like you!" She was right. His body is still really long and thin.

Hang in there, mom.

[Anonymous]

If he is on his curve try not to stress. I stressed for a few years, before finally concluding she was always going to be in the 2nd percentile. 14 years later she still is.

I did eventually a second opinion, as I felt I was being put at fault each visit. New Dr. takes one look at me "hmm think it could be genetics?"

[Anonymous]

Find a new pediatrician. ASAP. If your baby is gaining weight, he is fine. Switching from nursing to formula is not a good suggestion if your baby is gaining weight.

[Anonymous]

My twin baby was very small and his sister was large. Now, at 10, they are both average.

[Anonymous]

I would switch dr's. You should feel good leaving the appointment. Not worth the stress.

[Anonymous]

How old was the baby when he was born (gestational age), what weight, how old is he now and what weight now? Is baby doing otherwise ok? What are the body types of mom and dad? How much did you gain while pregnant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is on his curve try not to stress. I stressed for a few years, before finally concluding she was always going to be in the 2nd percentile. 14 years later she still is.

I did eventually a second opinion, as I felt I was being put at fault each visit. New Dr. takes one look at me "hmm think it could be genetics?"

Exactly what our doctor says about our 90th percentile height and weight son. DH and I are both.... 90th percentile height.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How small?

OP here.

- Born on 12/8 at 6lbs 14oz. He dropped down to 6lbs 7oz while in the hospital. 19.5 inches.
- 6lbs 14oz at his two week checkup.
- 8lbs 10oz at his 1 month checkup. 20.5 inches
- 10lbs 12oz at his two month checkup today. 22 inches

He is on the small side but he is steadily gaining at each appointment. The pediatrician keeps saying he is small and not in the average 12lbs range as boys his age. She questions how much he eats each day and has suggested we move to high calorie formula or cut breast milk and give more formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you and/or DH smaller people?

I freaked out when my baby was about 5% on the weight curve. He just hovered in the 3-8%ile and wouldn't get any fatter. Height wasn't an issue. Nurse was really nice and said, "Mom! Look at yourself! You're tall and thin! He is just built like you!" She was right. His body is still really long and thin.

Hang in there, mom.

OP here. My husband is big but I’m small. Some of my family are small and some of them are big. I think he went is in the 25th percentile for weight and 20th percentile for height.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How small?

OP here.

- Born on 12/8 at 6lbs 14oz. He dropped down to 6lbs 7oz while in the hospital. 19.5 inches.
- 6lbs 14oz at his two week checkup.
- 8lbs 10oz at his 1 month checkup. 20.5 inches
- 10lbs 12oz at his two month checkup today. 22 inches

He is on the small side but he is steadily gaining at each appointment. The pediatrician keeps saying he is small and not in the average 12lbs range as boys his age. She questions how much he eats each day and has suggested we move to high calorie formula or cut breast milk and give more formula.

Your baby is meant to lose weight in the hospital. Your baby is gaining weight as normal. Your pediatrician is an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old was the baby when he was born (gestational age), what weight, how old is he now and what weight now? Is baby doing otherwise ok? What are the body types of mom and dad? How much did you gain while pregnant?

OP here. He was born at 39 weeks and 5 days. Pretty much full term.

Born on 12/8 at 6lbs 14oz and went down to 6lbs 7oz. He regained his birth weight at 2 weeks and then was 8lbs 10oz at his 1 month appointment and 10lbs 12oz at his 8 week appointment today.

He is a happy little guy. He eats 24-32oz/day with the average being 28-32oz of pumped milk and formula. He is very alert and playful as any 8 week old. He smiles now and will “ play” and look around. He does tummy time and can lift his head up but doesn’t last super long though I heard that’s common. He can follow voices and objects. He will stare in the direction and move his head and eyes between objects. He can recognize voices because he will turn his head in the direction of my husband when he is talking or is loud. He does sometimes get startled by loud sudden noises but I heard that is common.