Weight Loss Between 9 and 12 Month Checkups

If your Dr is concerned, it doesn't mean he's overreacting or that you should be paranoid. It just means that he's concerned and wants to keep an eye on it. I'm sure he had suggestions on things you can do to help. You should probably go back to the office for a weight check in a few weeks or a month to make sure his wt's moving in the right direction again.
Don't get upset that your Dr is concerned, though. If he ignored the wt loss and then you found out at his next check-up that he was still losing wt and had a real problem, you'd be more upset. Your Dr is just trying to be cautious and keep an eye on things.....sounds like a Dr I'd want to have for my kids....better safe than sorry.

If you read the Dr. Sears "Baby Book," he notes that babies (I think especially breastfed babies) lean out just around the first birthday. Meaning, they lose some of the baby fat, the baby "look" and appear longer and thinner. Some pediatricians are nuts over the weight issue. If you have a healthy child, I wouldn't worry.

My daughter had the same weight loss and they peds freaked me out too. She started walking around 10 months and hasn't stopped moving since! She's 15 months now and right on track -don't let them worry you unless he really continues to lose. Just keep offering healthy foods and he'll gain when he's ready.

It's funny that you posted this right after I went to my daughter's 12 mth visit (2 weeks late). They weighed/measured her and she only gained 10 ounces in 3 1/2 mths and she shrunk a 1/2 inch. So I can only assume her 9 mth measurement was incorrect - she hates being held down and squirms all over. But whether the weight was correct/incorrect last time - we weighed her on 2 different scales and she was exactly 17 pds 15 oz. which puts her in the 0 or 1 percentile. She is highly active (has been walking since 10 mths old) and she eats/drinks like a champ - so I don't really see anything wrong with her. Just like someone else said, my doctor said she cant obsess over a number when to look at her you can see she's so healthy.
I guess if you know he's eating/drinking well and staying active - things will balance out. If it helps ease your mind then go in for some weight checkups in between well visits. I'm not trying to contradict your dr because I'm certainly not a dr -just a mom in a similar situation. I hope this helps! Good luck!

A.,

I think your doctor is foolish for alarming you for probably no reason. First of all do you watch when they put a baby on those scales they move all over, who's to say that his last measurements were accurate. Plus as you said he is becoming more mobile. I would not worry about it as long as your baby is eating and appears to be healthy I would not be concerned. I know that is easier said then done. Good luck!!

My daughter lost 2 lbs around 15 months and she is tiny to begin with (18 lbs) so doc just wanted to watch her and had us come in between scheduled visit. I knew she was eating a little less because of all the teeth she had coming in and as soon as they were in her appetite increased. She is now 22 lbs at 19 months. Maybe the slight weight loss is from activity or teething, but as long as he's eating well and you keep an eye on his weight gain you shouldn't worry too much.

I dont understand how the smartest, most educated, well-rounded doctors can be so freaked out by that stupid chart.
I just want to tell them to put their little chart away and look at my child. They obviously look healthy. They are happy and active.

BOTH of my kids lost ounces between dr visits and both times the doctor raised an eyebrow.

I suppose its something to keep an eye on, but nothing to stress over.

i would be concerned. although it is normal for more activity to slow growth, he has lost as well. think of it like this, you son lets say was 18lb7oz at 9 month, then 18 lbs at a year. and lets say my daughter was 18lb7oz at 9 months, now is 20lbs7oz. its noy just as if he is lost the 7oz, but he has also lost the normal weight gain for those three months, so its really a loss of 2 lbs of growth over 3 months.

how is he eating? is he still nursing or on formula. what are the actual weights. babies normally double at 6 months, triple by a year, so if you baby was 6 lbs, 18 lbs at a year would be fine. but if your baby was 8 pounds, they would be more along the lines of 24 lbs at a year. of course, these are just guides, and all babies are different. how has his percentages been? doctors dont care if a baby is in the 5% all there life, percentages are only a concern when a baby either drops or rises dramatically, like going from 75% to 15% all of a sudden.

i dont mean to scare you, its just you would rather be safe than sorry.

Hi, A..

Your little guys weight lose between the 9 and 12 month checkups is not unusual. Your correct, because he is moving around more, his weight is going to adjust to his activity level. As long as he's eating and sleeping well, there is nothing to worry about.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

S.

My daughter is 12 months old and did the same thing - she even went as low as into the 1st - 3rd percentile for weight. The doctor's drove me crazy over this weight issue...but my daughter is a constant mover and never stops. She is healthy and meeting all milestone as she should. Also I was small when I was her age. I would not worry about it, just keep trying to give as many healthy foods as possible. And switch doctors if you are not comfortable with what they are saying - we did this too. Overall - I wouldn't worry.

My son lost 2 pounds between 6-9 months, because he became so mobile! He gained it back pretty quickly, as he became really good at feeding himself. 7 ounces is less than half a pound. Is your son eating and drinking well? Were there challenges with weaning him to whole milk?

If he's eating and drinking, and seems happy and healthy to you, then I bet he's fine. If you're concerned, ask to bring him in to the doc's office to weigh him every few weeks until the next checkup. That way you can know for sure. Also, you can add in a sippy cup of kefir or yogurt as a snack. Extra calories, tasty, and healthy!

A.,
I just reread, and I sound like I'm going off the deep end, but I'm not: I don't have time to rewrite though. Just know that my son is where yours is, and we tweaked his diet so he is getting more fat on a daily basis.

Don't worry, it gets you nowhere. :| Be advised by people you trust and work from there to get where your baby needs you to be as far as being informed. Remember: he's getting VERY active now, and will only continue to do so, and his intake hasn't caught up with his usage yet.

Where YOU need to be concerned: is his growth curve turning DOWN? You don't say how much your baby weighs - in relation to birth to now. If he has plateaued - not gained anythign significant or lost overall from his OWN curve - then you need to be a bit concerned and look at dietary intake.

My son gained little across the board on his WEIGHT (his height and head gained consistently) and ZERO 9-12 month mark. His doc is a bit flighty (I've noticed this, husband doesn't want to switch). She is all about charts, and totally overlooked that he was happy.

Is your baby happy? ARe you getting him a rounded diet (protein/carbs/fats/veggies?) Believe it or not, the fat intake is important, especially right now.

Has your doctor shown you the charts? Has he talked about WHY he's concerned?

There are things you can do (especially if you are holding off on Milk because of allergies or potential allergies) to boost his weight effectively and in a healthy way.

I'm going to guess your son crawls like there's no tomorrow, and is faster than some people running. :) That burns up a lot.

If you would like some ideas for how to increase fat in a healthy way, just msg me. I'm here most days. Most of all, don't worry, just be smart about your son's intake on all fronts, and he'll be gaining responsibly before you know it. He'll probably walk first though. ;)

Good Luck,
M.