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What Causes Very Slow Weight Gain Of Infants?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2014

Question: My baby is 3 months 20 days old. Her birth weight is 4.2 , now she is 5.5. She was gaining 500 gms each month, but last month she gained only 200gms. she passes urine 7-8 times. she feeds for just 5 mins in one feeding. and less than that. Please let me know if this normal.

Answered by Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Feeding is not proper .It is less.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for asking question on health care magic.
Babies usually lose 10% of their body weight during first week,then they regain the birth weight by 15th day.
During first month baby gains about 25-30 grams weight per day from 15th day.
Then up to 3 months about 20 gms/day.
The weight gain is almost normal in the first 2 months.
The weight gain is less during the 3rd month.
Probably it may be due to short feeding time.
Either you have to increase the frequency or duration of feed so that the baby gets proper nutrition.
Your baby seems to be large for gestational age (LGA).
If the baby gains about 6.5 -7 kg by the end of 5th month it is OK.
Hope this answer will serve your purpose
Please feel free to ask any more queries if required
Take care
Dr.M.V.Subrahmanyam MD;DCH
Associate professor of pediatrics

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (40 hours later)

Does baby have severe health issues, if she does not gain exact weight, Even though she is active.
When is the perfect time to start solids for 3 month 20 old baby. Is it good to start after 6 months, or can we start from 5th month.

Please let me know the prons and Cons for the same.

Answered by Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Better to start solids after 6 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for asking followup question on health care magic.
Severe health issues do not occur if the baby is a bit less than the expected weight, especially if the baby is otherwise active.
It is always better to start solids after 6months because the baby cuts teeth from 6 months on wards and gums become strong.
Hope this answer will serve your purpose
Please feel free to ask any more queries if required
Take care
Dr.M.V.Subrahmanyam MD;DCH
Associate professor of pediatrics

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (5 hours later)

Can i give Solids like cerelac, banana, which are very lite foods.
Baby does not attach to my breast, she goes away after just 5 mins of feed for every 4 hrs. If i force her to drink she cries. Is it the problem my quality of milk.
I get sufficient milk. But i am worried that she is not taking milk properly.
How to make my baby drink milk. Shall i pump my milk and feed my baby?

If the baby is lean, does it mean that the baby is weak. And if baby is fat she is healthy?

Answered by Dr. Venkata Subrahmanaym Mukkavilli (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cerelac is advised only after 6 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for asking another followup question on health care magic.
If the baby is not sucking milk you may give EBM (expressed breast milk).
EBM can be stored in friez for few hours.
You need not worry about the quality of milk.
Breast milk suits to the needs of the baby.
If the baby is lean and thin it does not mean the baby is weak.
Weight gain is more important.
solids , better start after completion 5th month.
WE advise cerelac after 6 months usually.
Hope this answer will serve your purpose
Please feel free to ask any more queries if required
Take care
Dr.M.V.Subrahmanyam MD;DCH
Associate professor of pediatrics

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj