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Percentiles and weight (x-posted)



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 27th 04, 09:00 PM
Jill
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Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)

My baby will be 3 weeks old on Sunday. Time flies! Well, she weighed 7lbs
11oz at birth and At her 1-week pediatrician appointment, she weighed 7lbs 2
oz. The doctor said this is normal especially for breastfed babies, to lose
weight and they would like to see her back up to her birth weight at the 2
week appointment. On my receipt where they mark tests and diagnoses etc, I
noticed that the diagnosis section said "Small for number of weeks". And the
paper they gave me had her in the 25% percentile for size, 50% for head
circumference, and 50% for something else, I forget....I'd have to go look.
At the 2 week appointment she had only gained 4 ounces, so was 7lbs 6oz.
Because of this they want me to bring her back tomorrow just to be weighed.

Is this that big of a deal? My neighbor breastfed and she says it almost
sounds like they are watching her to see if I need to supplement. If I have
to bf her every half hour, I will do that before I supplement...she nurses
great and has the appropriate number of diapers, wet and poopy. If what goes
in comes out, her output is good!

I am just wondering if this is normal for them to have you bring your baby
in just to be weighed or if they only do it if they are watching for a
problem? The only thing that concerns me about her is, she nurses VERY well
and has a great latch and I am not having any trouble with my milk supply or
getting her to feed every 2 hours.....but she spits up a lot. It's not a
violent, big vomit, it seems normal- it just comes out. But sometimes she
spits up a good bit. I guess she's just a spitter? I mentioned it to the dr
but she said as long as it wasn't bloody or like vomiting it was normal.

And one mroe question---I am surprised a 7lb 6oz baby at 2 weeks old would
be only in the 25% of others babies as far as size...that is not *that*
small of a baby. ?? It seems pretty average to me, except I know a lot of
people who have fairly large babies, 9 and 10 pounds....but I also know
people who have 6 pound babies. But at 2 weeks old is 7lbs 6oz really
considered that small?

Breastfeeding is going well and I don't think there's even a risk that I
will need to supplement, because the baby IS gaining and she is nice and
full and healthy looking. She has a good appetite and I have never had any
problems with her latch or getting her to eat. In another week or two I plan
to start pumping so I cna get her used to taking an occasional bottle of
expressed milk.

Jill


  #2  
Old May 27th 04, 09:12 PM
Circe
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Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)

Jill wrote:
My baby will be 3 weeks old on Sunday. Time flies! Well, she
weighed 7lbs 11oz at birth and At her 1-week pediatrician
appointment, she weighed 7lbs 2 oz. The doctor said this is normal
especially for breastfed babies, to lose weight and they would like
to see her back up to her birth weight at the 2 week appointment.
On my receipt where they mark tests and diagnoses etc, I noticed
that the diagnosis section said "Small for number of weeks". And
the paper they gave me had her in the 25% percentile for size, 50%
for head circumference, and 50% for something else, I forget....I'd
have to go look. At the 2 week appointment she had only gained 4
ounces, so was 7lbs 6oz. Because of this they want me to bring her
back tomorrow just to be weighed.

I suspect that the concern is that she hadn't gotten back to her birthweight
by the two week appointment *and* her weight gain in the second week was
less than would be expected. (Newborns typically gain about an ounce per
day, thou some gain less and some gain more.) They are probably hoping that
her weight gain in the past week will be more in line with the expectations.

Is this that big of a deal? My neighbor breastfed and she says it
almost sounds like they are watching her to see if I need to
supplement. If I have to bf her every half hour, I will do that
before I supplement...she nurses great and has the appropriate
number of diapers, wet and poopy. If what goes in comes out, her
output is good!

In which case, as long as she's *gaining* weight and showing no signs of
problems, I wouldn't supplement, even if she's not gained much more weight
in the past week than she did in the previous week. She is still *gaining*
and that's what matters. If she were not gaining at all or were losing
weight, you'd have a reason to supplement, but otherwise, I wouldn't worry.
She may just be genetically programmed to be on the small side.

And one mroe question---I am surprised a 7lb 6oz baby at 2 weeks
old would be only in the 25% of others babies as far as size...that
is not *that* small of a baby. ?? It seems pretty average to me,
except I know a lot of people who have fairly large babies, 9 and
10 pounds....but I also know people who have 6 pound babies. But at
2 weeks old is 7lbs 6oz really considered that small?

Being in the 25th percentile doesn't mean a baby is exceptionally small.
What your pediatrician meant by his notation was not that your baby is
exceptionally small by the chart, but that she's smaller than he'd expect
her to be (because she should have been very close to if not back to her
birthweight by then).
--
Be well, Barbara
Mom to Sin (Vernon, 2), Misery (Aurora, 4), and the Rising Son (Julian, 6)

Aurora (in the bathroom with her dad)--"It looks like an elephant, Daddy."
Me (later)--"You should feel flattered."

All opinions expressed in this post are well-reasoned and insightful.
Needless to say, they are not those of my Internet Service Provider, its
other subscribers or lackeys. Anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a
fight. -- with apologies to Michael Feldman


  #3  
Old May 27th 04, 09:14 PM
Jamie Clark
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Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)

Jill,
It's not that a 2 week old baby at 7lbs 6oz is considered small, it's that
the amount of growth in the first two weeks is small. You said she had only
gained 4 ounces in a week -- I think that is there concern. And I think
that is why they want you to bring her in to weigh her.

Taylor weighed 8lbs 8oz at birth, and we when checked out of the hospital
the next day, she'd lost a few ounces -- I think she was 8lbs 8oz, and 19.5
inches long. Because I was doing adoptive breastfeeding, the pediatrician
wanted to see her the very next day, and she had already gained back her
birthweight -- she was back to 8lbs 8oz. I stopped the breastfeeding after
4 days, and bottle fed her formula. At her next checkup at 2.5 weeks, she
was 10 lbs, and 21 3/4 long.

I think Taylor's growth was pretty high -- she's always been in the 75% for
weight and height. But I think in general, babies grow at a rapid pace
during these early weeks and months. And Rachel seems to be growing slowly,
so they are concerned. It may well be that Rachel will always be a small
peanut, but at this point, I can see why they might be concerned.
--

Jamie & Taylor
Earth Angel, 1/3/03

Check out Taylor Marlys -- www.MyFamily.com, User ID: Clarkguest1,
Password: Guest
Become a member for free - go to Add Member to set up your own User ID and
Password

Check out our Adoption Page at http://home.earthlink.net/~jamielee6


  #4  
Old May 27th 04, 09:34 PM
Mary W.
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Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)



Circe wrote:

Jill wrote:
My baby will be 3 weeks old on Sunday. Time flies! Well, she
weighed 7lbs 11oz at birth and At her 1-week pediatrician
appointment, she weighed 7lbs 2 oz. The doctor said this is normal
especially for breastfed babies, to lose weight and they would like
to see her back up to her birth weight at the 2 week appointment.
On my receipt where they mark tests and diagnoses etc, I noticed
that the diagnosis section said "Small for number of weeks". And
the paper they gave me had her in the 25% percentile for size, 50%
for head circumference, and 50% for something else, I forget....I'd
have to go look. At the 2 week appointment she had only gained 4
ounces, so was 7lbs 6oz. Because of this they want me to bring her
back tomorrow just to be weighed.

I suspect that the concern is that she hadn't gotten back to her birthweight
by the two week appointment *and* her weight gain in the second week was
less than would be expected. (Newborns typically gain about an ounce per
day, thou some gain less and some gain more.) They are probably hoping that
her weight gain in the past week will be more in line with the expectations.


If I remember, my pediatrician wanted to see a 1/2 - 1 ounce gain per
day. So 4 ounces is on the low side, but still within that range.

Hopefully she'll have a nice big gain this week and put everyone at
rest.

Mary

  #5  
Old May 27th 04, 10:41 PM
Jill
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Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)


"Mary W." wrote
Hopefully she'll have a nice big gain this week and put everyone at
rest.

Mary


I hope so, or I will start to worry. She doesn't go too long without
feeding, but I am making extra effort to get her to nurse even more often-
instead of every 2-3 hours, I am positioning her to nurse every hour to hour
and a half. She is a very slow, delicate nurser- it is common for her to
take 45 minutes to finish, and she goes so slow....at least she IS gaining,
I do hope she has made it back up to her birth weight this week.

Jill


  #6  
Old May 28th 04, 01:42 AM
Ericka Kammerer
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Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)

Jill wrote:


I am just wondering if this is normal for them to have you bring your baby
in just to be weighed or if they only do it if they are watching for a
problem?


Some doctors are twitchy about weight gain. I seriously
doubt there's anything to worry about. Those who've had babies
who dropped down to the 3rd percentile or below would be amused
at fretting over a baby in the 25th percentile. Also, more
to the point is her weight gain over time. She is gaining.
She's not gaining at the most rapid rate out there, but she
is gaining. I wouldn't sweat it.

The only thing that concerns me about her is, she nurses VERY well
and has a great latch and I am not having any trouble with my milk supply or
getting her to feed every 2 hours.....but she spits up a lot. It's not a
violent, big vomit, it seems normal- it just comes out. But sometimes she
spits up a good bit. I guess she's just a spitter? I mentioned it to the dr
but she said as long as it wasn't bloody or like vomiting it was normal.


Sounds normal to me.

And one mroe question---I am surprised a 7lb 6oz baby at 2 weeks old would
be only in the 25% of others babies as far as size...that is not *that*
small of a baby. ?? It seems pretty average to me, except I know a lot of
people who have fairly large babies, 9 and 10 pounds....but I also know
people who have 6 pound babies. But at 2 weeks old is 7lbs 6oz really
considered that small?


It sounds smallish to me, but not so small I'd be
overly concerned. On the other hand, two of my babies were
bigger than that at birth, and the other almost

At this point, the only thing I'd worry about is
whether your pediatrician is overly twitchy. If she is,
exercise caution. It really sucks to have a ped who gets
anxious over every little thing.

Best wishes,
Ericka

  #7  
Old May 28th 04, 04:02 AM
Alissa
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Posts: n/a
Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)


"Jill" wrote in message
.. .

"Mary W." wrote
Hopefully she'll have a nice big gain this week and put everyone at
rest.

Mary


I hope so, or I will start to worry. She doesn't go too long without
feeding, but I am making extra effort to get her to nurse even more often-
instead of every 2-3 hours, I am positioning her to nurse every hour to

hour
and a half. She is a very slow, delicate nurser- it is common for her to
take 45 minutes to finish, and she goes so slow....at least she IS

gaining,
I do hope she has made it back up to her birth weight this week.

Jill

Is she waking to feed that often? If so feed away but I wouldn't wake her

1 1/2 hourly, babies need sleep to grow, while they are awake they are using
up more energy and won't put on as much weight. I'd go with what she wants,
babies know best.45 mins at that age isn't too slow IMO.
Alissa


  #8  
Old May 28th 04, 06:45 AM
Carol Ann
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Posts: n/a
Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)

My baby will be 3 weeks old on Sunday. Time flies! Well, she weighed 7lbs
11oz at birth and At her 1-week pediatrician appointment, she weighed 7lbs

2
oz. The doctor said this is normal especially for breastfed babies, to

lose
weight and they would like to see her back up to her birth weight at the 2
week appointment. On my receipt where they mark tests and diagnoses etc, I
noticed that the diagnosis section said "Small for number of weeks". And

the
paper they gave me had her in the 25% percentile for size, 50% for head
circumference, and 50% for something else, I forget....I'd have to go

look.
At the 2 week appointment she had only gained 4 ounces, so was 7lbs 6oz


I can't believe it's been 3 weeks already! I wouldn't worry. Morgan was in
the 50th percentile at her 2 week checkup and yesterday at her 2 month
checkup she shot up to the 75th percentile in height and 50ish in weight (or
it could be 50ish in height and 75th in weight..can't recall).

She is 11 lbs 12 oz now. That is a 4 lbs 3 oz gain. She is also an inch
taller than her last checkup (2" taller than what the hospital says).


And one mroe question---I am surprised a 7lb 6oz baby at 2 weeks old would
be only in the 25% of others babies as far as size...that is not *that*
small of a baby. ?? It seems pretty average to me, except I know a lot of
people who have fairly large babies, 9 and 10 pounds....but I also know
people who have 6 pound babies. But at 2 weeks old is 7lbs 6oz really
considered that small?

Breastfeeding is going well and I don't think there's even a risk that I
will need to supplement, because the baby IS gaining and she is nice and
full and healthy looking. She has a good appetite and I have never had any
problems with her latch or getting her to eat. In another week or two I

plan
to start pumping so I cna get her used to taking an occasional bottle of
expressed milk.

Jill


I tried to pump last nite b/c Morgan didn't eat so much due to her fever. I
only managed to pump an oz. I have no idea what I did wrong, but it didn't
feel very good.

~Carol Ann
Mom to Morgan born 3.24.04
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeBNnDdizZNneg ---Pictures!




  #9  
Old May 28th 04, 01:02 PM
Jill
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Posts: n/a
Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)


"Carol Ann" wrote
I tried to pump last nite b/c Morgan didn't eat so much due to her fever.

I
only managed to pump an oz. I have no idea what I did wrong, but it

didn't
feel very good.


Do you just use the Isis or also an electric pump?I have the Medela Harmony
which is supposed to be very similar to the Isis and I liked it at first, I
tried it as soon as my milk came in and was able to get an ounce pumped
several times a day...but I realized it was making me raw and sore, when
nursing was not.

I can't decide what to do- should I just go ahead and rent a Medela Pump in
Style for a week from the hospital to see if it works for me then go ahead
and buy that, or should I try something smaller like the Medela
mini-electric? That's $80...but by the time you buy a couple of pumps that
don't work you should have just put the $$ toward the better one. I hear the
Isis works better than electric for a lot of women ubt I figure if the
Harmony isn't doing very well with me the Isis might eb about the same...

I am not going back to work while nursing, but I want to pump as much as
possible. Right now I need a nap, she has been nursing every hour it seems,
and so I can't sleep, and no one can help me. I wish my husband could take
her for about 6 hours. I haven't slept more than 2 in a row since I had her.
I'm not frustrated or anything but sleep sure would feel nice! (I'm
surprised I am so relaxed, having had no sleep....before I had her I
wouldn't have been able to make it on lack of sleep!) But I would have more
energy if I could just sleep.....

Jill


  #10  
Old May 28th 04, 03:02 PM
Marie
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Posts: n/a
Default Percentiles and weight (x-posted)


"Jill" wrote in message
m...

"Carol Ann" wrote
I tried to pump last nite b/c Morgan didn't eat so much due to her

fever.
I
only managed to pump an oz. I have no idea what I did wrong, but it

didn't
feel very good.


Do you just use the Isis or also an electric pump?I have the Medela

Harmony
which is supposed to be very similar to the Isis and I liked it at first,

I
tried it as soon as my milk came in and was able to get an ounce pumped
several times a day...but I realized it was making me raw and sore, when
nursing was not.

I can't decide what to do- should I just go ahead and rent a Medela Pump

in
Style for a week from the hospital to see if it works for me then go ahead
and buy that, or should I try something smaller like the Medela
mini-electric? That's $80...but by the time you buy a couple of pumps that
don't work you should have just put the $$ toward the better one. I hear

the
Isis works better than electric for a lot of women ubt I figure if the
Harmony isn't doing very well with me the Isis might eb about the same...

I am not going back to work while nursing, but I want to pump as much as
possible. Right now I need a nap, she has been nursing every hour it

seems,
and so I can't sleep, and no one can help me. I wish my husband could take
her for about 6 hours. I haven't slept more than 2 in a row since I had

her.
I'm not frustrated or anything but sleep sure would feel nice! (I'm
surprised I am so relaxed, having had no sleep....before I had her I
wouldn't have been able to make it on lack of sleep!) But I would have

more
energy if I could just sleep.....

Jill



I use the Isis. It's very comfortable and easy to use, although I may
produce only an ounce to two ounces at a time. If it makes a person sore,
perhaps it's due to not using it properly. For example, one doesn't need to
depress the handle all the way down to suck out the milk. That would hurt a
lot. Just use appropriate and comfortable pressure for pumping. Also, make
sure there is a good seal between the cup and breast for suction.

Another Marie


 




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