source: Breastfeeding Pinays FB grp

ADMIN NOTE aka LONG READ: Weight Gain in Babies The general standards: - The Minimum expected weight gain in the first six months per month is around 500 grams and/or - birth weight has to be doubled by 3-5 months, tripled by age 1. - minimum acceptable weight gain between age 1 and 2 is 2kgs What does this mean? A baby born with a birth weight of 3 kgs, ideally should be around 6 kgs by 5 months and 9 kgs at 1 year old. And 11 kgs at age 2. Ideally. If a baby was born with birth weight of 3.5 kgs, then e should weigh 7 kgs at 5 months and 10.5 kgs at 1 year and 12.5 kgs at 2 yrs old. Now... With preemies, you have to consult with your pedia because there will be many factors affecting baby's weight gain. And if he was severely underweight, "fattening" him up might be a priority (using breast milk). Now... It is COMMON for babies to be gaining around 1 kg every month in the first 3 months or so. First, this is the time babies really feed a lot as newborns. Also, they hit their 1st/2nd growth spurts around this time. If you express milk, you will see a lot of cream. Then suddenly, weight gain starts slowing down. Remember that during this same time, babies hit a point in their development wherein they see better, realize they can interact with their world, start turning/rolling over and try to sit up. All of those bring stress. Plus, They are distracted. So, yes, they may feed less. But also, and more probably, it means the baby's body recognized that he doesn't have to grow that much anymore (having achieved most of the target growth), told Mama's breasts that, and Mama's breasts responded in kind by changing milk composition (less fats for growing). You have to remember that Nature designed our milk to facilitate survival (first and foremost). If the natural imperative for human babies is to start rolling and crawling starting 5 months or so, then the controlled weight gain ensures a baby CAN roll, sit up, later on -- stand. The controlled weight gain ensures that the baby can support himself and grow into his independence (from having to be carried all the time to being able to sit/walk on their own). Have faith. If, because of the enteromammary pathway, our babies can tell us what particular antibodies they need, what more how much protein/fats they need to grow right? Unfortunately... ... Birth weight and baby's weight gain will be affected by one or a combination of the following: 1) parents' genes 2) mom's health prior to pregnancy 3) quality of pregnancy 4) conditions of birth 5) quality of breastfeeding/infant feeding 6) quality of complementary feeding (at 6 months onwards) 7) illnesses 8) special conditions and/or limitations (like Tongue-tie, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, cleft palate) 9) environment 10) habits Remember also... Weight gain is just one health indicator but it isn't the only one (hitting milestones, alertness are better ones). That's why we always say, LOOK AT YOUR BABY, not just his weight. Be concerned if: 1) baby is really feeding less (less number of feedings, shorter duration, less poop and pee and it ain't summer) 2) there are signs of dehydration (really dry skin, chapped lips that doesn't improve, fever) 3) baby stops gaining weight without particular reason 4) baby starts losing weight What to do when you notice the decline in weight gain? 1) THINK... Is he becoming more physical, playing more, rolling, etcetera... Was he feeding less? Did he get sick? Routines disrupted? 2) Improve breastfeeding (like latch might have become shallow from bottlefeeding so re-train baby for deep latch... or you're allowing too much acrobatic feeding that baby plays more than feeds so train baby to settle and focus... Or baby keeps getting distracted so go back to quiet feedings in the dark) 3) Improve Complementary Feeding (for babies 6 months beyond)... Offer only energy dense food, offer small meals every hour during waking hours, no empty calories (juice, crackers, white bread, sweets) 4) Consult with and work with doctor. It is sad and hard that there will be slow weight-gaining and sickly babies. It's important you find a doctor who believes in breastfeeding and its power to protect and heal. And it will require a lot of patience before you might see improvements. Now... We will reiterate that EVEN in cases of stunting, even in cases of slow-weight gaining babies... FORMULA IS NOT THE ANSWER/SOLUTION. This is according to WHO, IBFAN and DOH. Some might choose the gain-weight-quick approach offered by formula BUT weight gain from fats/sugar (as in taba) and not good bone density (which happens over time and offered by breast milk) is just invoking health problems because bone density affects and is affected by immunity. Para magka-idea kayo Ano ang bone density.... May payat na mabigat (sinasabi naging siksik). At Yung payat nating anak, Iba ang payat sa payat ng may matinding sakit o Sobrang hikahos. (FYI, cow's milk leeches off calcium from our bones... And sugar affects bone density negatively.) Preemies are also put at serious risk when you introduce formula, especially in the early days, as their systems cannot manage the processing required just to get nutrition from formula... And they are exposed to contaminants. So... Moms and Dads, BE ALERT for signs baby is not thriving (because weight gain does affect development) but do not worry overmuch over the conservative weight gain your baby shows (if he is alert, a happy baby, hitting milestones, not sickly, not lethargic, sleeps well, has healthy skin, interactive). Let them find their own body size. Don't be pressured by numbers because good health isn't just an issue of weight gain. Calm down and Breathe, parents. LOOK AT YOUR BABY instead. Parents... This post is not supposed to make you complacent ha! Baka your toddler of 2 years old is 11 kgs (from a birth weight of 3 kgs) Nga but is mostly eating processed food or not eating well. Think of bone density. Think of anemia. And emphasis on consulting experts (doctors or nutritionists) if you feel something needs to be looked into. Most healthy, breastfed babies will have conservative weight gain (no matter the race) but babies with special conditions may NEED a specific feeding regimen and/or supplements. - #adminmec CTTO