New to Mamapedia, Just Came Home from JoJos Doctors Appointment. Concerned

Updated on April 23, 2010
T.S. asks from Acworth, GA
10 answers

My son is turning 6 months in 2 days and he's only 14.5 lbs. She said thats in the 10%tile. Im kind of concerned because Josiah eats 2 sold food meals and plenty breastmilk and formula throughout the day and doesnt seem to be gaining weight like he is supposed to. He's 26 inches, he was 23 3 months ago so thats fine. His weight is just not improving much??

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So What Happened?

Thank you sooo much for your help and encouragement. He has gained weight since last visit at 3 4 months so he's probably fine and his father is petite and he looks and is shape like him. Good genetics lol. ALL of your answers were helpful

Featured Answers

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I don't see any reason for concern here. The percentile is just to say there are a lot of boys bigger than he is. My son weighed 18 on his 1st birthday, and 25 on his second birthday last month. He's average. No worries :)

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M.C.

answers from Detroit on

As long as he's eating and healthy, don't worry about it. Around 8-9 months, babies go through a growth spurt typically, so he'll more than likely gain weight and get taller. My 8 month old son is 18 lbs. and 27" long. He's small too, but hitting all of his milestones and he eats plenty:)

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Somebody has to be in the 10th percentile -- that's what creates the average.

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C.C.

answers from Fresno on

Remember that percentiles just show what "average" kids weigh. There is nothing wrong with kids who weigh below average unless they are unhealthy in combination with not gaining weight. My husband and I are both very tall, as is our older daughter, and yet our younger daughter is (and always has been) under the 20th percentile. Nothing wrong with her medically, she's just petite! But she has rosy cheeks and tons of energy, so we don't worry about it.

You only have to worry if your son is lethargic, pale, or the doctor thinks you should be worried. Don't let the percentile itself freak you out.

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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

Maybe he just happened to grow up rather than out these past 3 months. My kids (now 4 and 18mo.) were both in the 10th, even 5th percentile regularly. They are completely healthy! I'm small so I'm not surprised. Those charts are based on formula fed babies. My babies were nursed exclusively (until baby food at 6 mo.), & I believe breastfed babies are typically lower on the curves. Do not worry as long as he is developing normally.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

Also he's prob starting to move around, that will make him not gain as much weight.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

What was his birth weight? The rule of thumb I heard was: babies roughly double their birth weight by about 5 months and triple it by 1 yr. My son was born at 9 lb 1.5 oz, was 18 lb by 5 months and was 25 lb at 1 yr and has always been on the high end of the percentile charts.

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J.H.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

As long as he's gaining something, he's fine. My son will be 5 in June, and he has been in the 25 percentile since he was born. If your son is eating, peeing, pooping, and growing (even if just a little)...you're good!! I wouldn't worry at all!

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Has he slopped in percentile? If he was around 10% before,and still is, than he is growing as he should. You only need to be concerned if he was in a higher percentile and has slipped down to 10.

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C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

my two daughters were 11.5 lbs and 12.5 lbs at 6 months and about 24 inches. they both eat very well and are now 5 and 4 yrs old. They have continued to gain weight and follow a nice "growth curve" on a chart - they are just at the bottom of the chart. (we've never been above the 10%tile) I am only 5'3" and my husband was always the scrawny little kid until the middle of high school. As long as he continues to gain weight, eats well, and follows a growth curve - don't get too concerned about what %tile he's in.

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