Ofcourse you didn't hear me complaining about percentiles before. That is because at his last doctor visit his percentiles were great. 75th for height. 50th for weight and 25th for head. Well, the head worried me a bit but the doctor said we did not have particularly gigantic heads ourselves so no biggie. Yesterday we had our two month checkup and:
Height: 23 1/4 up from 22 1/2 but fell from 75th to 50th percentile
Weight: 10 lb 10oz up from 9lb 10oz but fell from 50th to 25th percentile.
I tried suppressing it but anxiety did creep up. Am I not making enough milk? Is he starving? Is this the reason? I asked the doc and he said that they'll check him again in a month and see if he continues to decline in percentiles they'll talk but they're not too worried. Well, I am. They also asked how much he eats. About 9 times a day on average. They said this is too frequent for this stage and he should be down to 6-8 times. Again I wonder: Is my milk quantity weak?
I'm not freaking out but I am worried. I know breastfed babies tend to show up lower on percentiles for weight but he's on the low end on even breastfed baby charts. When I pump I get out between 3oz in the afternoon and 5-6oz in the mornings. . . I don't pump that much but I'm hoping that means I've got stuff in there.
Heading to Florida (with a baby. on a plane. and the flight is booked. and I was told I picked a seat that is not baby compatible. UGH). So will try to push the worries out of my head.
Wow! Flying! With W.! You're my new heroine & I can't wait to hear how it goes!
ReplyDeleteThat last photo of your little guy certainly didn't look like he was puny in any way. Here's hoping he goes through a big ole growth spurt before his next appointment, though, to keep you from worrying.
No offense, but your doctor is totally wrong about the feedings. At this stage, it's still normal to nurse every 2-3 hours, which would mean that even TWELVE feedings per day would be just fine.
ReplyDeleteHey, Viktor just had his 2 month and he is 11 pounds and 7 oz and he too is in the 35th percentile for weight. I seriously would not worry about it!!!!. My first son was probably in the 15th percentile (and probably still is) the whole time....he will be 14 this week and is very healthy (He is just short like his dad).
ReplyDeleteAlso.....Viktor is STILL only drinking 2 ounces every 2 hours or 1 ounce every hour. Sometimes more, sometimes less. The doctor told me too that this is wrong. But I say PFTTT. Babies are not going to starve themselves, that is for sure.
So, try not to worry.
I had the same concerns with my bf daughter, and I found these online from the WHO--the first link is just the info link, the second one is the WHO growth chart for solely breastfed infant boys. Most pediatricians use the growth charts that are comprised of primarily formula-fed infants. Even though the dr doesn't use the chart it was a comfort to see how my girl compared to other bf babies and to see that she wasn't behind nearly as much % wise as the dr said.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_boys_p_0_2.pdf
http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/en/
your little guy is super cute! I hope that your anxiety is lessened by the comments - and the docs don't know everything and most are certainly not breast feeding experts.
ReplyDeleteGood luck flying!
i wouldn't worry too much about the percentiles, he'll catch up. louise's head was TINY when she was born and now it's GIGANTIC, she also still fits into most of her 0-3 month clothes and she will be 6 months old next sunday, every baby is different.
ReplyDeleteI love the 2mth baby pic! He's beautiful! He looks perfectly happy and healthy to me!
ReplyDeletei'm so glad our doc doesn't talk percentiles or i'd become an obsessed lunatic! :) i agree with all the comments above...your little guy *and* your body know what they're doing. whenever i forget this and start to worry about my milk supply i remember that our little one is always satisfied after eating, as opposed to hungry, fussy and crying b/c she's till hungry. maybe that will help you, too?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the advice!
ReplyDeleteLilly, uh oh :( He **is** fussy after eating. But only DIRECTLY after eating. He screams once he's done. The lactation consultant had suggested when I brought this up when he was first born that it may be that he needs a pacifier. I've noticed once I give him one he does calm down and then he's happy and playing and alert so maybe this is all it is, but I hope the fussiness isn't because of hunger! :-(
Based on what you said, I do *not* think you are starving your kiddo, not at all! And to suggest that you are breastfeeding him TOO OFTEN, that is absolutely ridiculous. Follow your instincts, if he's wetting/pooping his diaper and happy between feeds, you are doing things EXACTLY RIGHT! Seriously awesome, mama.
ReplyDeleteThe hippo outfit was a gift from DH's coworker when Bean was born 2+ years ago. It's from GAP. Glad you like it! :)
I've never gotten 5-6oz pumping. Sounds llike you've milk enough to me!
ReplyDelete