Pediatrician Baby Weight Issues

Anonymous
I’m not sure why you or your husband think you know better than a pediatrician. They used their medical degree and experience to tell you the best thing to do to keep your baby healthy. Find a pediatrician you trust and then listen to them. You are literally first time parents thinking you know better. 🤦‍♀️
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If he already receives formula on a regular basis, what objection do you have to giving a higher calorie formula?


OP here. I’m not sure it’s needed. He gained 3lbs in two months.


I say this is nice as I can. You’re not a pediatrician. You don’t have that knowledge and expertise that he does. It sounds to me like you were already opposed so just keep doing what you’re gonna do,
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure why you or your husband think you know better than a pediatrician. They used their medical degree and experience to tell you the best thing to do to keep your baby healthy. Find a pediatrician you trust and then listen to them. You are literally first time parents thinking you know better. 🤦‍♀️


+1. What is with all these posters telling the OP to ignore her pediatrician. That’s insane advice. If you don’t trust them, immediately find another one. But this is going to be a LONG road if after 2 months of parenting you think you know more than the pediatrician.
Anonymous
If you don't trust your doctor, yes look for a new one. Or just ask the doctor to talk more with you about it and bring some sources and an open mind.

It is uncommon but not unheardof for babies to not reach their birth weights by week 2 https://www.jwatch.org/na42954/2016/12/02/expected-weight-change-newborns-revisited but that doesn't tell you whether babies that took longer--or your particular baby--had a problem from or causing it to take longer.

https://brightfutures.aap.org/Bright%20Futures%20Documents/BFNutrition3rdEditionSupervision.pdf notes that babies generally gain 4-7 oz/week and since week 3 your baby has exceeded that.

Here are AAP guidelines on breastfeeding problems so if you are not having any of these you could talk to the dr about that https://fedisbest.org/resources-for-parents/american-academy-pediatrics-healthychildren-org-warning-signs-breastfeeding-problems/

Not every doctor follows their specialty's guidelines. For some, that's a sign they are not up to date or not evidence based, and you might want to switch if that doesn't appeal to you. But sometimes there's something about your particular kid that leads to a deviation from the guidelines, and having a doctor who knows the general rules and when to deviate from them can be a really good thing.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure why you or your husband think you know better than a pediatrician. They used their medical degree and experience to tell you the best thing to do to keep your baby healthy. Find a pediatrician you trust and then listen to them. You are literally first time parents thinking you know better. 🤦‍♀️


+1. What is with all these posters telling the OP to ignore her pediatrician. That’s insane advice. If you don’t trust them, immediately find another one. But this is going to be a LONG road if after 2 months of parenting you think you know more than the pediatrician.


OP said they see a new pediatrician at every appointment with the practice she goes to. She needs to find a pediatrician that sees her baby every appointment.
Anonymous
How do you know you had low supply? How do you know your baby wasn’t eating enough?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:How do you know you had low supply? How do you know your baby wasn’t eating enough?


OP here. I fed him every 3 hours as instructed by the hospital. He would eat for 5 minutes most feeds and falls asleep. Other feeds he would eat a little longer but then fall asleep. I thought that was normal and he ate enough and was no longer hungry. He slept a lot and didn’t cry much. Then the 2W appointment and he didn’t regain birth weight. The pediatrician said some babies are super sleepy and they don’t wake to eat or they don’t eat enough. I saw a lactation consultant and she gave me some tips. We did two feeds and he didn’t eat much. I decided to pump because I wanted to know how much he is eating. He still fell asleep but we at least knew he was getting certain amount. He started waking on his own to eat at 4 weeks and now eats fine.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So the baby is up over 3 lbs from the lowest weight in a matter of 5 weeks? That seems like good gain. Id focus the pediatrician on the rate of gain and ask why that rate is unacceptable. It seems fine.

Definitely ok to get a second opinion. OR just ask for more rationale/dialogue if you are walking away confused after appts. A good ped will discuss their thinking.


OP here. The pediatrician said babies his age weight in the 12lb range and he should be weighing more for his birth weight. He is also in a low percentile for his age and weight.


OK, but ... someone's got to be in every percentile.

The doctor may be right, but it is very common for new moms to get freaked out by people telling them their baby isn't gaining enough weight. It's been a while for me, but his weight gain seems pretty steady. You've said he's happy. Is he energetic when awake? Smiling? Making some noises?
Anonymous
It sounds like you already made up your mind.
Anonymous
I don’t see the opposition to switching to a higher calorie formula. What’s the harm trying it out? Why assume your pediatrician is wrong?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure why you or your husband think you know better than a pediatrician. They used their medical degree and experience to tell you the best thing to do to keep your baby healthy. Find a pediatrician you trust and then listen to them. You are literally first time parents thinking you know better. 🤦‍♀️


This is a terrible attitude! Doctors are not above being questioned. Always advocate for your kids!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So the baby is up over 3 lbs from the lowest weight in a matter of 5 weeks? That seems like good gain. Id focus the pediatrician on the rate of gain and ask why that rate is unacceptable. It seems fine.

Definitely ok to get a second opinion. OR just ask for more rationale/dialogue if you are walking away confused after appts. A good ped will discuss their thinking.


OP here. The pediatrician said babies his age weight in the 12lb range and he should be weighing more for his birth weight. He is also in a low percentile for his age and weight.


Most babies would not have lost weight in the beginning and would be heavier by now. That does not mean the baby isn’t growing appropriately now. Sounds like this ped rushing and didn’t review the history carefully enough.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I don’t see the opposition to switching to a higher calorie formula. What’s the harm trying it out? Why assume your pediatrician is wrong?


Higher calorie formulas are harder to digest, leading to constipation and gas. They are not appropriate for babies who don’t need them.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure why you or your husband think you know better than a pediatrician. They used their medical degree and experience to tell you the best thing to do to keep your baby healthy. Find a pediatrician you trust and then listen to them. You are literally first time parents thinking you know better. 🤦‍♀️


This is a terrible attitude! Doctors are not above being questioned. Always advocate for your kids!


Trust me lady, I have a medically fragile child and have done a lot more advocacy than you. There is literally no reason to push back on this.
Anonymous
What’s the percentile curve look like?
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