Common questions / 05/01/2019

Why is my baby not gaining height?

A growth delay occurs when a child isn’t growing at the normal rate for their age. The delay may be caused by an underlying health condition, such as growth hormone deficiency or hypothyroidism. In some cases, early treatment can help a child reach a normal or near-normal height.

What does it mean when a baby is not thriving?

A child is said to have failure to thrive when they don’t meet recognized standards of growth. Failure to thrive isn’t a disease or disorder. Rather, it describes a situation in which a child is undernourished. They either don’t receive or are unable to process enough calories.

What can I eat to help my breastfed baby gain weight?

What to eat

Include protein foods 2-3 times per day such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts and seeds.
Eat three servings of vegetables, including dark green and yellow vegetables per day.
Eat two servings of fruit per day.

What food will help my baby gain weight?

Foods like potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, dal, ghee, ragi, almonds, yogurt, eggs and milk help the baby to gain weight. Please take a pediatricians’ suggestion before you start any of these foods. As always follow a 3 day test rule.

Is it normal for babies to not gain weight?

Many babies go through brief periods when their weight gain levels out, or they even lose a little weight. This is not unusual. However, if a baby doesn’t gain weight for 3 months in a row during the first year of life, doctors usually become concerned.

What to do if your baby is failing to thrive?

If you’re worried that your child is failing to thrive, remember that many things can cause slower weight gain. For instance, breastfed babies and bottle-fed babies often gain weight at different rates in the early newborn period.

What causes a child to not be able to thrive?

Cystic fibrosis, chronic liver disease, and celiac disease all cause problems with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. The child may eat a lot, but the body doesn’t absorb and retain enough of that food. Kids with celiac disease are allergic to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains.

What causes a child to not be able to eat?

Causes. Persistent diarrhea can make it hard for the body to hold on to the nutrients and calories from food. Cystic fibrosis, chronic liver disease, and celiac disease all cause problems with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. The child may eat a lot, but the body doesn’t absorb and retain enough of that food.

How to manage poor weight gain in your breastfed infant?

Below are some general tips for addressing poor weight gain in a breastfed baby. Watch for signs from your baby that he or she wants to feed. Your baby should wake and “cue” to breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours by rooting, making licking or sucking motions, bobbing his or her head or bringing his or her hand to the face or mouth.

What happens when a baby does not gain enough weight?

Failure to gain enough weight or weight loss. Poor growth can occur suddenly or gradually over a period of months. A baby or child who gains insufficient weight may be classified as ‘failure to thrive’.

How often should you breastfeed a slow Gainer?

A baby who is a natural slow gainer still gains weight steadily, though slowly: Grows in length and head circumference according to typical rates of growth Wakes on his or her own and is alert and wants to breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. As infants get a little older, they may breastfeed less often.