Pediatrician Keeps Saying Baby Is “ Small”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the ped is talking to you but not making it clear whether she is identifying a real medical concern that requires action or whether she's just observing his size and saying well, you might try to goose him up the chart by doing XYZ if you want to try it but no harm either way.

It's really a shame that she doesn't know how to be clear because you shouldn't have to exist in a state of uncertainty and resultant anxiety about this.

That would be the reason why I'd think about a different ped. You want someone whose cues to you are not equivocal.

If someone is genetically destined to be thin and small, isn't shovelling in extra calories actually harmful? In a nation with rising obesity rates I'm surprised people are still leaning towards pushing more calories.

Nope. The baby will spit up what is not needed. The end.

Keep your obesity fears out of this.

[Anonymous]

Agree with others that your pediatrician may be a little too green and by the books. Glad you are going to see another.

In the meantime, I see nothing wrong with your child’s growth. He is on track, and has gained a lot of weight since birth. All good things! FWIW my baby was much smaller at birth and at those milestones than yours and my doctor never said there were any issues because she followed her curve, and was gaining weight appropriately. Just as you’re is. Your baby is doing great! And so are you! Keep it up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the ped is talking to you but not making it clear whether she is identifying a real medical concern that requires action or whether she's just observing his size and saying well, you might try to goose him up the chart by doing XYZ if you want to try it but no harm either way.

It's really a shame that she doesn't know how to be clear because you shouldn't have to exist in a state of uncertainty and resultant anxiety about this.

That would be the reason why I'd think about a different ped. You want someone whose cues to you are not equivocal.

If someone is genetically destined to be thin and small, isn't shovelling in extra calories actually harmful? In a nation with rising obesity rates I'm surprised people are still leaning towards pushing more calories.

Nope. The baby will spit up what is not needed. The end.

Keep your obesity fears out of this.

This is dismissive and not accurate. We don’t need to concern troll about obesity, sure, but respecting a baby’s hunger and fullness teaches them to moderate their eating and is respectful. Over feeding a baby to the point they vomit is not necessary to do intentionally and regularly.

[Anonymous]

32nd to 25th percentile or whatever is basically the same curve. I find this so confusing. That’s all just noise.

My son was born 40th, then dropped to 10th and stayed there for a good 2 months. Once he regained his birthweight and started maintaining 10th percentile the ped said he was doing great. She said some babies are just meant for the 10th percentile. Joke was on us I guess because after that he started packing on pounds and shot up to the 75th percentile for about 18 months. He’s smaller again now that he’s 2. I think they all just follow their own path and I think this pediatrician is causing you way too much stress. I would absolutely look for a new one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the ped is talking to you but not making it clear whether she is identifying a real medical concern that requires action or whether she's just observing his size and saying well, you might try to goose him up the chart by doing XYZ if you want to try it but no harm either way.

It's really a shame that she doesn't know how to be clear because you shouldn't have to exist in a state of uncertainty and resultant anxiety about this.

That would be the reason why I'd think about a different ped. You want someone whose cues to you are not equivocal.

If someone is genetically destined to be thin and small, isn't shovelling in extra calories actually harmful? In a nation with rising obesity rates I'm surprised people are still leaning towards pushing more calories.

Nope. The baby will spit up what is not needed. The end.

Keep your obesity fears out of this.

This is dismissive and not accurate. We don’t need to concern troll about obesity, sure, but respecting a baby’s hunger and fullness teaches them to moderate their eating and is respectful. Over feeding a baby to the point they vomit is not necessary to do intentionally and regularly.

DP but the gradual shifting of the Overton window of size of Americans is making people who were “small to average” a few decades ago “oh my god tiny” now. I am the poster who was monitored for IUGR and had a small-but-on-the-charts baby. She’s roughly the same weight I was at birth but while no one said anything to my mom, nurses in the hospital and the younger docs at our pediatric practice (not our doc who is older and remembers when babies were smaller) constantly said how small she was. Over-feeding a baby so they spit up—intentionally!— is cruel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP don’t let this make you obsessive. You don’t need scales, tracking oz, etc. feed to hunger. Baby will cry if hungry. Track wet and dirty diapers. Go back to basics. It’ll be ok. Use a lactation consultant if you need support.

+1. The only reason you should pump or do formula is if you want other people to feed the baby, or you’re not enjoying nursing. Otherwise, just nurse. You can go to the pediatrician once a week for a weight check if it really makes you feel better.

I’m surprised your new pediatrician told you to stick with formula supplementation though you’re producing enough breastmilk. I agree that you should see a lactation consultant. Get some peace of mind with a weighted feed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you started him on solids yet? Obviously, it's not his main food source at this point, but it's an added way to get more calories in him here and there.

Dumb advice even if OP’s baby was old enough. Solids have less calories than breastmilk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you started him on solids yet? Obviously, it's not his main food source at this point, but it's an added way to get more calories in him here and there.

Dumb advice even if OP’s baby was old enough. Solids have less calories than breastmilk

Fewer calories, not less. Countable noun.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you switch back to nursing and baby starts eating significantly less, your breasts will most likely tell you as you will be uncomfortably full.

[Anonymous]

I think the pediatrician just might not have anything else to say/observe. You baby is small. My baby was huge. It’s all anyone could talk about at the pedi appointments. Unless there’s something else wrong, you doctor might just be a middling conversationalist!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the ped is talking to you but not making it clear whether she is identifying a real medical concern that requires action or whether she's just observing his size and saying well, you might try to goose him up the chart by doing XYZ if you want to try it but no harm either way.

It's really a shame that she doesn't know how to be clear because you shouldn't have to exist in a state of uncertainty and resultant anxiety about this.

That would be the reason why I'd think about a different ped. You want someone whose cues to you are not equivocal.

If someone is genetically destined to be thin and small, isn't shovelling in extra calories actually harmful? In a nation with rising obesity rates I'm surprised people are still leaning towards pushing more calories.

Nope. The baby will spit up what is not needed. The end.

Keep your obesity fears out of this.

This is dismissive and not accurate. We don’t need to concern troll about obesity, sure, but respecting a baby’s hunger and fullness teaches them to moderate their eating and is respectful. Over feeding a baby to the point they vomit is not necessary to do intentionally and regularly.

I guess that unlike you, I don’t think the OP would do it repeatedly. It’s not helpful and the OP isn’t a sadist, so the OP will stop doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the ped is talking to you but not making it clear whether she is identifying a real medical concern that requires action or whether she's just observing his size and saying well, you might try to goose him up the chart by doing XYZ if you want to try it but no harm either way.

It's really a shame that she doesn't know how to be clear because you shouldn't have to exist in a state of uncertainty and resultant anxiety about this.

That would be the reason why I'd think about a different ped. You want someone whose cues to you are not equivocal.

If someone is genetically destined to be thin and small, isn't shovelling in extra calories actually harmful? In a nation with rising obesity rates I'm surprised people are still leaning towards pushing more calories.

Nope. The baby will spit up what is not needed. The end.

Keep your obesity fears out of this.

This is dismissive and not accurate. We don’t need to concern troll about obesity, sure, but respecting a baby’s hunger and fullness teaches them to moderate their eating and is respectful. Over feeding a baby to the point they vomit is not necessary to do intentionally and regularly.

I guess that unlike you, I don’t think the OP would do it repeatedly. It’s not helpful and the OP isn’t a sadist, so the OP will stop doing it.

OP here. I don’t over feed my child. He dictates when and how much he eats. We do fill his bottles to 4oz because I know he will take it, but the two night bottles are filled to 6 ounces and he takes 4-6 ounces. There are many times he will stop at 4 ounces and we don’t push it. If he’s rejecting it, we don’t try to feed him more. He not become obese by eating the recommended 24-32oz of breast milk and formula a day. Thank you for your concern and ignorant assumptions though.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I’m going to continue to pump and bottle feed until 4 months. I’m going to keep supplementing with formula. I feel most comfortable doing this rather than nursing and being unsure how much he eats. I’m going to keep on supplementing because I may decide to quit breastfeeding at some point or my supply may decrease at and I want to make sure he will take the formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the pediatrician just might not have anything else to say/observe. You baby is small. My baby was huge. It’s all anyone could talk about at the pedi appointments. Unless there’s something else wrong, you doctor might just be a middling conversationalist!

If you read the thread that’s not what was happening. The ped was having op do things like stop nursing and use high-calorie formula instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not necessarily. They all do have cage appropriate growth charts and watch carefully. “being small” is sometimes a nice way of saying “failure to thrive “. I would get a second opinion