It sounds to me like you and the baby are doing great. I also had babies who were big at birth then settled into being average-sized. I also got a lot of pressure. I'm inclined to tell you to keep doing what you're doing.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:How do you know he’s getting 20 ounces of breast milk? Are you pumping?

OP here. He gets around that amount. I started pumping after his two week appointment. Bottle feeding was much easier when he was too sleepy to wake up and eat. We wanted to track how much he was eating to make sure he was getting enough.

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.

If he already receives formula on a regular basis, what objection do you have to giving a higher calorie formula?

Anonymous wrote:I mean, if you don't trust your pediatrician, you should switch. Their job is to advise you based on their education and experience. If you don't believe him/her on this point, then why do you trust him/her about anything else? And if you do, why do you trust him/her on other things and not this?

OP here. I should porn about add that we are in a practice where we see a new pediatrician at every appointment. It’s a rotation and we can pick the one we like best at 4 months.

3lbs in 2 months is fine.

My baby was bigger at birth but it was because of fluids. Your baby didn’t gain much did first 2 weeks. He’s fine.

Anonymous wrote:Was he overdue? Are you and baby's father taller / bigger people or smaller people? Your son was a bigger baby at birth and now he's on the smaller side. If you and dad are both smaller people I wouldn't be that concerned. If you are both bigger people I'd probably do what your pediatrician suggests or get a second opinion before deciding not to do it.

OP here. He was born on his due date. I’m petite. Husband is tall and skinny.

How do you know he’s getting 20 ounces of breast milk? Are you pumping?

If your husband thinks you should get a second opinion, then he should research pediatricians, find a new one, and make an appointment.

If your husband wants a second opinion, and you're on the fence why wouldn't you get one?

I mean, if you don't trust your pediatrician, you should switch. Their job is to advise you based on their education and experience. If you don't believe him/her on this point, then why do you trust him/her about anything else? And if you do, why do you trust him/her on other things and not this?

Was he overdue? Are you and baby's father taller / bigger people or smaller people? Your son was a bigger baby at birth and now he's on the smaller side. If you and dad are both smaller people I wouldn't be that concerned. If you are both bigger people I'd probably do what your pediatrician suggests or get a second opinion before deciding not to do it.

Please do not mess around with this. Your pediatrician is an expert and telling you this for a reason. This is your first lesson in parenting the child you have, not the child you want. I would add more formula or switch to a higher calorie formula.

I’m a FTM and I have an 8 week old. We had his 8 week appointment today and the pediatrician told us we need to get his weight up. He was born full-term but didn’t gain much weight in the first two weeks due to low supply and hard to feed because he was sleepy ( no jaundice). He has been gaining weight but he is small for his age. He is combo fed ( 20oz of breastmilk, 8-12oz of formula) and eats 4oz 7-8 times a day. He has plenty of wet and dirty diapers. He is sleeping well, happy, and healthy. I’m worried and partially annoyed because I feel like we are doing all that we can. The pediatrician suggested adding in another feeding or switching to a higher calorie formula. My husband thinks we should keep doing what we’re doing and find a new pediatrician. Any experience with this situation? Should we get a second opinion?


Stats - Born 9/18/2021

BW- 7lbs 14, H - 20in
Day 3 - 7lbs 2oz
W2 - 7lbs 7oz
W3 - 7lbs 14oz
W4 - 8lbs 9oz
W8 - 10lbs 14oz, H - 22.5in