Poor weight gain in infants can be frustrating for parents, especially when the cause is undetermined. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), poor weight gain in infants is a strong indicator that your baby is not getting enough breast milk; however, it can also indicate an underlying medical problem or that your baby is not being fed formula or breast milk as frequently as needed. It's important to determine the cause of why your baby is not thriving and what can improve the situation, which can be done with the help of a pediatrician.
Growth
According to Children's Hospital Boston, babies should regain their birth weight two to three weeks after they are born. Some babies will gain weight slower than others; however, they will still gain steadily and have the same amount of dirty diapers in a day as a fast-gainer.
If you are breastfeeding and concerned about your baby's growth, a pediatrician may watch you feed your baby to see how your baby responds to the breast. This can help determine if the baby is latching incorrectly to the breast or if your body is not producing enough milk.
If your infant is on formula but is still not gaining enough weight, your child's pediatrician will ask a variety of questions to determine the problem. The questions may include the type of formula, how many ounces the baby is eating per session and how many times your baby eats during the day.
Breastfeeding
The length of breastfeeding sessions can be a good indicator that something is wrong with your milk supply. According to the AAP, if nursing sessions are less than 10 minutes, then your baby is probably not getting enough milk. On the other hand, if nursing takes longer than 50 minutes, your baby may not be getting enough milk because of a problem suckling or due to low milk production.
You should be emptying one breast per feeding, according to "What to Expect the First Year." If your breast still feels full or hard after feeding your baby, then there is a potential problem with your baby latching incorrectly.
Quantity
A newborn baby needs a bottle or breast every few hours to gain an appropriate amount of weight. According to the AAP, if your baby sleeps more than four hours per night, set your alarm so you can wake your baby up to eat sooner.
The quantity of feedings will gradually reduce as your infant grows, especially when your baby begins eating solids in combination with breast milk or formula between the ages of 4 to 6 months. Six months is the typical time to begin solids; however, your pediatrician may suggest starting sooner if your baby is showing signs of being ready and is underweight.
According to Babycenter, placing your baby on a feeding schedule could cause your baby to be hungry during the day. Instead, feed your baby when he shows signs of hunger.
Potential Solutions
If breastfeeding, you cannot measure the amount of milk your baby is receiving while attached to the breast; however, according to the AAP, frequent swallowing is a sign your baby is getting enough milk. Listen for gulps while breastfeeding, and if your baby is not swallowing, reattach your baby to the breast to see if this makes a difference.
Some babies tend to fall asleep while eating from a bottle or breast, which can prevent them from becoming full. Keep the area bright during feedings and do not take extra measures to ensure the room is quiet. Also, rubbing your baby's head if he falls asleep while eating will often get him to start suckling.
Considerations
If breastfeeding, you could use a breast pump after breastfeeding sessions to ensure you're producing enough milk. Even if your breast is empty, continue pumping for 10 to 20 minutes. By pumping you're telling your body to produce more milk plus you can visually see the ounces you're producing. Your infant's pediatrician may recommend a formula to feed your baby if there are too many difficulties with breastfeeding.
Your baby may also be ill, have milk intolerance or gas causing him to not want to eat. According to Babycenter, some rare problems that cause infants to gain weight slowly are "cystic fibrosis, heart disease, celiac disease, or an endocrine disorder." If your doctor suspects a serious problem, he will test your baby's blood and urine.
According to "What to Expect the First Year," if your baby's urine is yellow, has a fish smell or urine crystals, these are all signs of dehydration. If you are feeding your baby every few hours but still see signs of dehydration, contact your baby's physician immediately.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Warning Signs of Breastfeeding Problems
- "What to Expect the First Year"; Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Murkoff, &Sandee Hathaway; 1989
- Children's Hospital Boston: Slow Weight Gain in Infants
- Babycenter: Failure to gain weight
