Underweight Infant

There are sooooo many causes for this to happen that it is impossible to say on a forum like this what could be wrong.
Could be an allergy?
Could be a hormone imbalance?
Could be cancer?

I assume that cancer has been ruled out as that is usually one of the things they test for in the bloodwork but really this could be anything! Asking on the Internet is only going to bring you worry. You are not going to get answers without tests and until the doctors have identified what is wrong they are going to go from most likely to least likely.

Is she eating anything other than formula? Because she is old enough to. Is she getting enough daily food and formula intake? Other than that, I don't know, it has to be a medical issue. The gastroenterologist or endocrinologist are the next things I can think of. I also had weight gaining issues as an infant/child/teen. One thing I had to do, as recommended from my endocrinologist, was to drink the protein packed Carnation milk mixes to help add to my dietary intake. I'm sure there are better things out there today even. Assuming this is a nutrition issue as opposed to an absorption or other medical issue at least, so going to see a specialist is the best thing.

I hope that they will check for celiac disease. How does she do with food? Perhaps if you start a celiac diet (within reason for a 9 month old), she could put on some weight.

There are some proteins that they find don't metabolize right when they do special blood studies. Also, amino acids. These need to figured out too, and regular blood tests won't do that.

I'm so sorry, Y.. I hope you get some answers soon.

Dawn

At her age, most of her food should be formula or breastmilk. Does she eat a little bit of oatmeal and maybe some pureed fruits and veggies? I think you are doing the right thing seeing a doctor, she is very thin. I would not give her anything until the doctor oks it since she is just so young. Can you maybe switch to a soy or hypoallergenic formula? I just looked it up, my son (who was never chubby) was 13 lbs at 3 1/2 months old. I wish you lots of luck, it's so hard to be a worried parent!

Oh my! I'm sorry.. Have you tried Pediasure to help her gain? She needs as many calories and fat she can get. There should be protein powders or something you can add to her food.
Good luck and best wishes! I sure hope they find out what's going on soon.

Please see a good doctor that knows about babies and find out what to do to help her gain. That is way to thin. Either she needs more milk, more food or find out what is the problem.

Your post sounds like the doctor is suggesting that there is a medical reason for her low weight rather than a nutritional or emotional reason. Whatever the cause the medical term for her condition is failure to thrive. You won't know how to help her gain weight until you know the reason she has not gained weight. Has the doctor talked with you about reasons for FTT? If so this might give you some ideas about the cause and thus the solution.

Here is a web site that describes FTT, tests, and treatments.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001986/

another good site: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/endocrine/failure_th...

My son is almost 9 months and he is 17pounds. He is in the 91% of length and 17% in weight. The doctor noticed in all our visits that he was full of energy and is burning tons of calories - she told me that he is skinny compared to how long he is, so she told me to add another serving of fruits/veggies.

He is on Stage 2 of foods and eats at least 1 tub of food 3 times a day (morning, noon, 5pm) - sometimes he eats 2 depending on how hungry that is. He also is eating around 20-25 oz of formula a day.

I'm not recommending any of the above because I am not a dr, but if your dr approves, she should be around the same food intake as my son since I have him on the average food diet of a 9 month old.

I'm very sorry you are going through this. I hope that it gets resolved fast! Good luck and please keep us posted!

My daughter had the same issue (starting around the same age). Her pediatrician and a gastrointerologist tested her for all kinds of things (celiac, etc.) but all tests came back fine. She's just small! Still is...at 3.5 yo she's 26 lbs. Her younger sister was born larger so had a head start on weight, but she too is very slow to gain it as of late (and they're watching her come her 2yo appt). But they're both thriving, never get sick and are very smart. I understand your second-guessing. I've been there and am even there now at times. I'm still constantly trying to get the most calories possible into their little bodies (which is certainly easier after they're a year old)--and driving myself a bit nuts wondering why they don't gain more. But I try to let it go. It's a good idea to get her checked out, just in case, but if your gut tells you she's fine, that's most likely accurate. I've heard of many other kids/parents who've had to deal with the same thing. It's certainly frustrating! But in most cases, the kids are just fine (just little and easier to cuddle!) :)

Sounds like the others have covered the medical aspects. My girls are good in height, but low on weight. Turned out all is fine and we have to make each calorie count per our Dr. So, think about good fats. We eat lots of avacados, olive oil sprayed on all veggies, beans, highest calorie for cottage cheese, yogurts....
My girls are healthy, happy, energetic and are now 4 1/2. Don't stress unnecessarily. Best to you & your little girl!

If it goes in it has to come out...is she having excessive urine or poop? Not understanding tummy not tolerating brand name formulas, usually tummys don't tolerate store brands. Another question is what type of water you are making the formula with? Adding ceral to pureed/jar foods is a good way to get calories up. Add a formula scoop of rice or oatmeal ceral to a jar of applesauce or peas or whatever. Try not to worry too much if you have been to the doc and he/she is not concerned get a second opinion if that doc is not concerened either it you probly don't need to worry over it.