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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 0:29:27 GMT -6
*poof*
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byjove
Ruby
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Post by byjove on Apr 17, 2018 5:03:00 GMT -6
How are the diapers? Have the checked for reflux or food allergies?
I know this is alarming, but it’s good they will be seeing a specialist and get to the bottom of it. I think dwarfism is a bit extreme. Step away from google!
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Post by flaviadeluce on Apr 17, 2018 6:10:56 GMT -6
There are many many causes. Best to let specialist sort it out and save yourself the worry.
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Post by spicysalmonroll on Apr 17, 2018 6:47:31 GMT -6
I'm surprised they've let her go this long on just breastfeeding and not supplementing formula, but hey I'm not a doctor in any way, shape, or form lol. Good luck!
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Post by sheilathetank on Apr 17, 2018 6:58:02 GMT -6
I was diagnosed with failure to thrive and was only 11lbs at 6 months. I started as a bigger baby though, but the weight gain in lbs was similar to your niece. Despite them doing all the tests, and supplementing my food, I was never on the growth charts for height and weight. I didn't start growing until I reached puberty and then I grew over a foot that year and started filling out. I can say that I am not lacking in the weight department now.
My DD is on the same track as me, and we were back to weekly weight checks after her 6 month appointment. Some kids are just small and if your sister is a smaller person, then it really could be genetics. I would really try to stay away from google. There is really nothing you can do until they speak with the specialist and formulate a plan.
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sterling
Global Moderator 
GD
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Post by sterling on Apr 17, 2018 6:58:50 GMT -6
I would not jump to dwarfism, that’s just very OTT IMO. Babies being off the growth charts can unfortunately be common. Some babies grow at different times and rates and with different diets. Has she asked for help/input?
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Apr 17, 2018 7:04:29 GMT -6
I think they need to test for an intolerance/allergy. While not as severe, my DS could not gain weight. Around 3 months I started supplementing with formula, by 4 he was only formula, and while still small, he was gaining weight. My daughter was small as well, I always wonder if my breastmilk was the problem and reason they weren't gaining weight. Maybe it lacked nutrients or something? Idk. There's no science behind that, but I'll always wonder.
What kind of specialist are they sending her too?
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Post by lucilleaustero on Apr 17, 2018 7:12:59 GMT -6
Don't panic. The baby is being monitored by doctors.
Failure to thrive can be attributed to so many things, as others have said. A couple of thoughts. Some women produce more foremilk than hindmilk, or the baby may not be getting to the point where she is drinking hindmilk, she may feel sated after filling up on foremilk. Has she been to an endocrinologist?
Some babies are just small, but it is good that your sister is being proactive.
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Post by PandaWatch on Apr 17, 2018 7:14:15 GMT -6
I'm surprised they've let her go this long on just breastfeeding and not supplementing formula, but hey I'm not a doctor in any way, shape, or form lol. Good luck! Same. When DS started losing weight at 6 months, the first thing the pedi advised was to start supplementing with formula. We did, and he started gaining again. But truth be told, he’s never been much of an eater, even now at 4 years old. Don’t get me wrong, 9 lbs at 6 months is small (both my kids were over 9 lbs at birth), but I wouldn’t be jumping to dwarfism. |
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Post by rainbowsockmonkey on Apr 17, 2018 7:19:54 GMT -6
My Dd2 was just like you niece. She was born at 7lb60z, and at 4mo she was just over 8lbs. She wasn't diagnosed at failure to thrive because she had grown length wise, just not in weight. Like your sister I nursed on demand, and some days it felt like all I doing was nursing her. At her 4mo appointment her Dr said we had 2 options. The first was to wait another month and see if she gained anything or take her to see a Pediatric GI and a nutritionist. I went with option number 2. No GI issues were found, but what I pointed out to the nutritionist was that my BM had almost no fat in it. Didn't matter what time of the day I pumped or which side it was, I was making skim milk. She had me pump and add formula to my BM to increase the calories. Even with this, she didn't start to really gain weight until she was 7mo and we started doing solids. She went from being .1% in weight to now being in the 75% for weight.
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gimmeaQ
Opal
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Post by gimmeaQ on Apr 17, 2018 7:49:16 GMT -6
please lord give me the strength to leave this thread. Unless OP comes back and says that her sister directly asked for help/information from her, I do not think the discussion in here is productive or good for anyone's anxiety. What's OP going to do, go back and ask her sister all the questions and additional information that's being stated here? If I'm the sister, I'm nervous as hell anyway and know the issues and certainly don't feel helped by outside, non-medical inquiries.  You and I are one this morning. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2018 8:08:48 GMT -6
DS didn’t double weight by 6m. He was bigger than your niece but we went to a specialist who found no issues at 6 m and determined he had a growth delay at a year (genetic and stopped at 3)
I really didn’t share our struggles for fear someone who be googling and trying to solve the mystery. Please don’t add to your stress or your SIL’s by doing so. Do be a listening supportive ear if she shares anything with you
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:12:24 GMT -6
I understand you are coming from a place of caring for your sister, but stay off google. It's bad enough when it's your own kid and you find yourself in a spiral, but there is literally nothing good that can be gained from you going to your sister with any internet wisdom (anecdotal or otherwise). Oh gosh, I would never go to her & worry her about this. This was purely for my own wondering. |
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mb3
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Post by mb3 on Apr 17, 2018 8:14:51 GMT -6
please lord give me the strength to leave this thread. Unless OP comes back and says that her sister directly asked for help/information from her, I do not think the discussion in here is productive or good for anyone's anxiety. What's OP going to do, go back and ask her sister all the questions and additional information that's being stated here? If I'm the sister, I'm nervous as hell anyway and know the issues and certainly don't feel helped by outside, non-medical inquiries. I think the best thing to do for OP is to just be a listening ear for her sister (if the sister wants) and to offer to help out with any older siblings if possible during appointments so mom can go without extra kids along. Or really, just support her sister. Because I’m sure the baby will be getting lots of tests and there will be follow up appointments and....a lot of stress for the parents. |
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:16:07 GMT -6
I would not jump to dwarfism, that’s just very OTT IMO. Babies being off the growth charts can unfortunately be common. Some babies grow at different times and rates and with different diets. Has she asked for help/input? Thanks, I’m sure you are right about the dwarfism, it was really just a random thought I had. Me asking for anecdotes here is for my own wondering. |
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:21:45 GMT -6
Don't panic. The baby is being monitored by doctors. Failure to thrive can be attributed to so many things, as others have said. A couple of thoughts. Some women produce more foremilk than hindmilk, or the baby may not be getting to the point where she is drinking hindmilk, she may feel sated after filling up on foremilk. Has she been to an endocrinologist? Some babies are just small, but it is good that your sister is being proactive. Thanks. I would not say I’m panicked at this point, just in the curious/wondering stage & a little concerned since now docs have decided it’s definitely a problem. No she hasn’t been to an endocrinologist or any specialist yet. I think she mentioned the hindmilk issue might be a possibility. |
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:32:56 GMT -6
They haven’t checked for allergy or reflux so that’s another good thing to consider. Mom does have several allergies herself as well.
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McBenny
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#sickomode
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Post by McBenny on Apr 17, 2018 8:33:02 GMT -6
I work with a lot of failure to thrive babies and toddlers. Each one is different and usually there is a different issue with each.
At the same time there could be nothing wrong and the child could be smaller if mother is smaller.
Her treating professionals will come up with a plan specific to her if need be. It's also their job to rule out any other issues and maybe conclude she is on normal track for her self.
I can't speculate further as this is so specific to child when it happens.
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:41:19 GMT -6
Obviously you guys don’t know me very well, but please just know I would never go & worry my SIL with random anecdotes. When we’ve talked about it I’ve been very supportive. I’m honestly just curious which is why I was considering everything & just wanting to take in all the info. Hearing the anecdotes from those who were small themselves or have kids who were small is helpful. I’m sure the professionals will get it figured out, but it’s nice to hear these stories in the meantime.
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:51:19 GMT -6
I think they need to test for an intolerance/allergy. While not as severe, my DS could not gain weight. Around 3 months I started supplementing with formula, by 4 he was only formula, and while still small, he was gaining weight. My daughter was small as well, I always wonder if my breastmilk was the problem and reason they weren't gaining weight. Maybe it lacked nutrients or something? Idk. There's no science behind that, but I'll always wonder. What kind of specialist are they sending her too? Thanks for sharing. I’m not sure yet what kind of specialist it will be. |
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Post by lifesaverz on Apr 17, 2018 8:56:03 GMT -6
My Dd2 was just like you niece. She was born at 7lb60z, and at 4mo she was just over 8lbs. She wasn't diagnosed at failure to thrive because she had grown length wise, just not in weight. Like your sister I nursed on demand, and some days it felt like all I doing was nursing her. At her 4mo appointment her Dr said we had 2 options. The first was to wait another month and see if she gained anything or take her to see a Pediatric GI and a nutritionist. I went with option number 2. No GI issues were found, but what I pointed out to the nutritionist was that my BM had almost no fat in it. Didn't matter what time of the day I pumped or which side it was, I was making skim milk. She had me pump and add formula to my BM to increase the calories. Even with this, she didn't start to really gain weight until she was 7mo and we started doing solids. She went from being .1% in weight to now being in the 75% for weight. Thanks this is helpful. I think this might be a real possibility. |
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Post by shambam08 on Apr 17, 2018 9:10:20 GMT -6
I had a friend who’s daughter was nursing well but was burning more calories nursing than she was taking in. I think it was caused by latch issues. The mom used a SNS and pumped until they were able to get everything straightened out.
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sagen
New
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Post by sagen on Apr 17, 2018 9:39:13 GMT -6
My 3rd was dx with FTT at 9 mo. He ate solids well, nursed on demand, and had enough wet diapers. My doctor said to try formula, but he wouldn't take it. Honest to goodness they told me to put a tiny bit of carnations instant breakfast in his formula so taste wise he would accept it, then slowly wean off the carnations and just use formula. It worked. He was getting just enough breast milk. Once I added I formula he was just fine. Not sure if that has anything to do with your niece's situation, or not, but formula is a good first option to try If she is EBF, even with solids.
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Ali7P
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Post by Ali7P on Apr 17, 2018 10:51:56 GMT -6
DD2 was a slow gainer too and when she was only 10 lbs at 3.5 mos (born full term at 7.4) they sent us to a GI specialist. It was an intolerance to milk/soy that just wasn't caught earlier. I ended up cutting it out of my diet and we supplemented with a hypoallergenic formula. She started gaining at a better rate and now she's a 32 lbs 2 year old.
I hope they are able to find answers for your niece. Sending good thoughts to you family.
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Post by fikafairy on Apr 17, 2018 10:59:46 GMT -6
I do have a positive anecdote - my cousin's second son was TINY forever, dropped off the weight curve, and was barely in 6mo clothes at 11-12 months. He was in and out of seeing specialists, who never found anything. Once he switched to eating more "real" food at a year, he started putting on weight and is now back on the growth curve again. They never really figured out exactly what it was, but they suspect it was some kind of mild lactose intolerance, since they also switched to a soy milk/formula around the same time.
In any case, try not to panic - doctors are involved and tracking things.
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Post by doublestuf on Apr 17, 2018 15:44:16 GMT -6
A good anecdote-my BFF's 2nd kid did this. Was born at a normal weight, her older sister had no weight gain issues, her parents were average size. Around 4 months they noticed she wasn't gaining either and wasn't on the growth charts for weight. They sent them to a GI specialist, tested for a bunch of things like Celiacs, but could never figure it out. It lasted for a few years and seems to be fine now. She's still skinny but on the charts now. It wasn't because of anything they changed.
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