Failure to Thrive - Newborn

Ema of 5

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:30 pm

small bean wrote:

I've had kids like that.

That's what makes this so strange, he doesn't spit up really, so where is all the food going?

Perhaps it’s a milk-quality issue? Do you know how much milk he is actually getting? I would weigh him before and after eating, to see how much he’s actually getting. Do it a few times, so you can have a good idea.

listenhere

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:33 pm

My pediatrician diagnosed silent reflux with the following symptoms:
1- My baby arched back when he ate
2- My baby ate the first ounce or so ok and then really slowly the rest of his bottle
3- My baby made gasping-like sounds in his sleep

The diagnosis was confirmed when the medication helped with all of that.

I also saw a cardiologist for a heart murmur, and he told us that one of the symptoms of heart issues is that the baby doesn’t gain weight.

Good luck with figuring it out! And yes your pediatrician should have given you all information that is posted here. Are you sure you have a good one?

small bean

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:34 pm

Ema of 5 wrote:

I ordered a scale this morning to do that.

But I also give at least 10oz in bottles which is 1/3 of the amount of ounces he needs a day.

I have no trouble pumping milk, so it's not a supply issue but may be a quality issue.

Ema of 5

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:37 pm

small bean wrote:

I know you can have a good supply and not pump well, but can it be the opposite? That someone can pump well but doesn’t actually hire well? Is that a thing?
Is the bottle bre@st milk or formula? If it’s bre@st milk and there’s an issue, then the extra bottle might not actually be doing much. Also you give one bottle or more?

small bean

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:49 pm

Ema of 5 wrote:

I don't know.

He doesn't take more than 3oz at a time so, it's split up into a few a bottles through out the day. Sometimes breast/sometimes formula not rhyme or reason to it.

amother

Lawngreen

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:50 pm

small bean wrote:

What was the advice he gave you?

My baby is not lethargic BH. He's up a lot and smiles and interacts. He hold his head nicely etc.

I use Dr. Gittleman and he did not recommend blood work at this time.

What did Dr Gittleman say to do??

small bean

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 9:51 pm

listenhere wrote:

It doesn't seem like silent reflux from that list.

He doesn't have a heart murder AFAIK. Noone has heard it, and other than not gaining weight, he seems healthy.

amother

Lightgray

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 10:00 pm

Having “bad milk” is pretty rare. Can you get a lactation consultant to come? This would accomplish
1. Checking for tongue tie
2. Doing a weighted feed to see if your baby is taking in enough milk with each feeding (their scales are usually very expensive scales that are very sensitive down so they can literally see how much ml the baby got. The scales most people can afford only go to ounces and are not as accurate

If that checks out I would push for bloodwork to rule out some very basic things like endocrine disorders (such as thyroid or metabolic disorders) and infections. It’s an easy thing to check

the world's best mom

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 10:00 pm

My baby was FTT until today. BH she had a well visit today and the doctor removed the label.

When my baby was 2 1/2 months, our doctor sent us to the hospital to see why she wasn't gaining enough. They kept her for 4 days. It turned out to be a supply issue in our case, but while we were there, they did an echocardiogram to check her heart, and they did bloodwork to check her thyroid.

She was born weighing 6 lb. 5 oz, and when we went to the hospital, she weighed 8 lb. 13 oz. IIRC. Your baby gained a lot less than she did. I think sending my baby to the hospital was overkill, but in your case, it might be a good idea. Your baby really isn't gaining, and she's eating a nice amount.

It doesn't seem to be a supply issue in your case. It could be a heart problem, which would cause her to burn too many calories in order to live. Or it could be a digestion problem, which causes her not to take in calories from her milk. If her thyroid is overworking, that would also cause weight gain problems.

amother

Rose

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 10:01 pm

small bean wrote:

Lactation labs or amazon

Cool! Thanks for sharing, Will try it. And hatzlacha with your baby. My sister was ftt, and I remember how stressful it was...
One of my kids was not ftt, but a super slow slow gainer despite 28 calories per oz supplementing. Turns out this kid was just always breathing fast, so just using all her energy for that.

Dr.Irina

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 10:06 pm

I would suggest to find NAET specialist by you. If all the medical reason ruled out, baby could be sensitive to your milk or formula. It can be easily eliminated with NAET. In addition, some things during pregnancy or labor, or vaccinations could cause a reaction. Also, homeopathy or pediatric Chinese herbal formulas. However, find a specialist. I am in lakewood, NJ. Feel free to contact me.

amother

Brass

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 10:18 pm

small bean wrote:

My baby’s situation was different than yours because he was spitting up a lot and seemed to have fluid in his lungs which dr shanik realized was a build up from dairy. No one in my family has food allergies or even sensitivities. At first I didn’t believe him because ALL my kids were fine with dairy- but I saw a change within DAYS. 3 weeks later I had a chubby baby! He was so skinny at 9 weeks old…
But my point is NOT that you should follow what I was told… It’s was a totally different situation! My point is that you should ASK because ftt can effect brain development and that it very serious.
What did Dr Gittelman tell you to do?
Im not doubting him. I know he’s a good doctor. Just sometimes you have to advocate aggressively for your child when it seems like your hands are tied.
Hatzlocha!

small bean

Mon, Jun 05 2023, 10:39 pm

Dr.Irina wrote:

What is NAET?