Weight Gaining Has Stopped!

Relax and enjoy, he is fine.

If he keeps gaining weight at this rate by the time he is 4 you will be wheeling him around in a wheelbarrel.

The first thing I have to say is - RELAX! Not all babies are the same. He sounds like a very healthy baby to me. The triple birth weight by age one is just an average. As long as he is eating and active, I really wouldn't worry.

My son was 8 lbs 9 oz at birth (in March 04) and his weight gaining slowed greatly about 9 or 10 months because he was moving all around and probably burning most of the calories he was consuming. He was eating a lot, and playing even more.

As for the "triple birth weight" by one year - that is a book guideline. Don't go by the books - they are guidelines. If you try to do everything books and doctors tell you, you will make yourself nuts. You are his mommy and you know him best. If you feel he is healthy and growing normally, I'm sure he's fine. Remember, the more active they become, the less weight they gain. My son didn't gain a single ounce from 10 to 19 months! He stuck at 24 lbs the entire time! But between crawling, rolling and walking (and running!), he was maintaining weight.

Good luck and have faith in your mommy instinct! :)

Jen, it sounds like you are doing fine with him. First, please do not stay focused on this 'triple the birth weight' thing - it is entirely folklore and not a good thing for you to be focused on 'fattening him up' so to speak. Now, I don't mean you want him to be fat, but you shouldn't be worrying so much about the scale. He seems to be thriving, is eating pretty normally (that is, every little one has interesting food foibles, and his sound right in the normal range. = ) Remember, babies this age are burning calories at a tremendous rate, as their bodies grow and change - it isn't all reflected on the scale.

The folklore of "3x birthweight", was based on the average birth weight of babies many years ago. Nowadays we're having much bigger babies, due to better maternal care and diet. My two dd were 8lbs 2oz (Sept07) and 8lbs 9oz (Dec03), respectively, but my three siblings and I were all under 6lbs back 30-40 years ago. Think about it - a 6lb baby under the 3x system would be 18lbs, the people having 10 and 11 pound babies would need to be beefing them up to 30 or 33 pounds! (Frame of reference: to move a child to a booster seat in VA they must be at least 4 years old and 39lbs.)

The *average* weight of a one-year old is around 20lbs. Your DS is over that, so you are doing fine. You don't mention what percentile he is on the weight/height charts from the pediatrician - I'm sure he is near the top of the range, from your description. I have a friend whose 6 month old DS weighs over 19lbs, and her almost-3-yr old DD weighs only 21lbs! She's always had to chase the DD to get her to eat because of worries about her being underweight.

With a baby like yours (and mine = ), you don't have to worry if he doesn't feel like eating some day, after all, it's not like he's going to waste away to nothing, right? Believe me, parents with kids who are underweight have a lot more to worry about.

Please, discard this notion of tripling his birthweight by the time he's one - feeding him extra so that he gains weight to meet this kind of fictional milestone could be harmful to his health. As he moves into solid foods, it's much more important that he learns to eat good foods and the right portions than anything else.

Good luck!

J. you have nothing to worry about. My son is 10 months and 18 lbs. He's perfectly healthy and gaining weight at a normal rate. He's the same way with finger food. The only thing he likes to eat off a spoon is oatmeal with applesauce in the morning. Don't worry about the weight so much. The biggest thing to worry about is if he's eating normal. Which it sounds like he is. I found with my daughter who is now 4 ( and not 20 lbs until 14 months) that they slow down in weight when they start doing more active things, i.e. crawling, pulling up, walking. You're doing great.

J. - My youngest did the same thing. When he was born he was 7 pounds but quickly moved up on the weight chart to the 90th percentile. Then over the next year, he slowly moved down to the 15th percentile and he stayed there. He just turned 2. At 1 year he only weighed about 20 pounds.

Our pediatrician told us not to worry and that breast fed babies tend to be higher up on the weight chart at first and then slowly move down. Formula fed babies tend to weigh less and slowly move up. Plus, once babies start crawling and walking their weight tends to stall for awhile.

If he weren't eating, I'd be more concerned. What does his pediatrician say? I bet if you called and spoke with his or her nurse, you might be reassured a bit.

I would not worry so much about what the books say, " triple birth weight by 1 year " Once they become more active they will not be gaining weight so rapidly. As long as your doctor says he is healthy, that should be your only worry. My son who is now 2 1/2 did not meet that requirement, and he is a happy healthy boy. When your son is hungry he will eat!

It sounds as if your child is becoming more active- he is eating. What does he eat at day care?
I am not sure that you should be too worried-as he becomes more active he will stimulate his hunger and be more interested in food. Are you giving him a variety of foods that he can pick up with his fingers? That sometimes helps Good luck!
a grandmom of 16 , mother of 3.

When my son got to the feeding himself stage, I was really worried about him not getting enough fat (he can't have dairy, so cheese and yogurt were out). He really loves avacado chunks! They are good for you, but very full of fat. He eats them in little chunks or fork mashed with bananas (his favorite way to eat them). He gets one or two avacados a week, and I know that he is at least getting some good fat :)

J.,

First, change daycare providers ASAP, the provider should give your child the food that you send. Not just whats convenient for her.
Second, all 3 of children have done that at one point or another. My oldest, who was in the lower half of the charts, is now 12, 5' tall and 125lbs. My middle stayed at the same weight for almost a year, but continued to grow taller. My youngest has been 40 lbs for about 8 months, but continues to get taller. So, unless he starts to loose weight, or get sick more often, I don't see a need to worry too much.
All 3 are active and have learned what a healthy diet is. I commend you on teaching your child so early the right way to eat, keep up the good work.

about me: Former Paramedic-worked with NICU and PICU transports for 2 major hospitals; currently a massage therapist wiht several nutrition classes for an autistic diet and a diabetic diet

First, stop worrying about the "triple birthweight" thing.
I've never heard of that myself. Kids will eat when they want and stop when they want. They manage to get what they need by eating that way. When my daughter was young, she was eating like a bird. Pick here, pick there; the doctor told me that unless I was concerned about her LOSING weight, keep up with what we were doing. Some kids are just naturally skinny. My daughter was 25 lbs at 2 years old but was healthy.
As a new mom, try not to worry about things unless you are seeing negative effects. Your son will be fine.
K.

My daughter barely weighed 20 pounds when she turned one. I took her off of formula when she was about 10 months and started giving her whole milk to help her gain weight. She is now seven and is at normal weight for her age. If your doctor is not concerned about it then I would not worry too much unless he starts losing weight and then I would consult the doctor for that. Also, if he is starting to become more active than he was before then his weight may stay the same.

Hi J.,
1st, anytime you are worried, a call to the pediatrician is often all that is needed to put your mind at ease. It is very normal for weight gain to slow significantly towards the end of the 1st year as the child becomes more active & is burning more calories. I have 3 kids & only 1 of them weighed over 20 lbs at 1 year & none of them tripled their birth weight. If he is actively losing weight, you need to get him to the dr to make sure everything is all right. Otherwise, continue offering him a good variety of foods & enjoy the little personality he is becoming. Gerber makes some toddler friendly finger foods--I know they are a bit more expensive, but if he'll eat them, then go for it. Eating is one of the few things a child can control, so try not to make it too much of a power struggle. Best of luck.
K.

My 1 year old doesn't gain much wait either. She ways 17 and can't get in a big girl car seat yet. The doctor told me to give her pedia sure mixed wiht vitamin d milk. She didn't like milk by itself at first which is why they suggested pedia sure but you can give them straight pedia sure. She doesn't like to eat much "food" now. She likes to munch instead which is hard. She does like milk with pedia sure now and after about 2 days she was used to it. I cna't tell how much it has helped yet because it has only been three weeks and her check up is 2 months away so we will see but that is what I was told to do.

I think the triple the birth weight is just a guideline as to where your child should be close to not necessarily a set in stone rule. Also, as they get more mobile and more active they burn more calories. If he is growing and healthy I wouldn't worry about it though. I would check with your pediatrician but he doesn't sound to be anywhere near underweight or malnourished. My son remained at 18 pounds from about 10 months to about 2. He was only 21 pounds by 3 1/2. But he was healthy and active and the pediatrician said he was fine. It is hard not to worry with your first child though. Good luck.

Hi! My name is A. and I am the happy mom of two boys ages 7 and 5. First thing -relax. If he wasn't getting enough nourishment, he would be lethargic and fussy. Secondly, you say he is getting more and more mobile. He is probably burning the calories he is eating at a faster rate now that he is mobile. If your doctor is making you feel bad because he isn't on "track" with "normal kids", get a new doctor. Normal is a setting on the washing machine. NOt a label for people. Third, if he is losing weight, try giving him so pediasure. It's a little expensive, but it's calorie dense and full of nutrients. Twenty pounds at 11 months is still a good sized baby! Finally, don't worry yourself to a frazzle! My younger son has always been in the "50th percentile" for his weight and height. I couldn't care less. He is healthy, passed his physical with flying colors, and eats when he's hungry. Don't forget to be grateful that he's healthy! If you go to church, talk with other moms in the nursery department and see if they have any additional ideas for you! Good luck and God bless!

Hi there,
I don't necessarily have any advice, but I can empathize and have been considering posting a message here about the same issue for my daughter. Developmentally she is doing great, but also born at the beginning of March 2007 weighing 7lb 13oz, she only weighs 15lb 12 oz as a week ago! I ddidn't even know about the triple birth weight by 1 yr. The docs say they want to wait until her 12 month appt...anyway, thanks for posting the message. You are not alone with this concern! I will be watching the posts and wishing you and your son well!

My foster son was only 18 lbs at a year, when I got him, and the pediatrician suggested Pediasure drinks - I mix them with his soy milk bottle to make sure he has gotten enough calories for the day and actually still do it when he hasnt eaten well that day. Each bottle has like 230 calories. Now, they may have ingredients you dont like - but overall I dont think its harmful to give him some per day to boost calories. You may have to forego a bit of healthy nutrition for some calorie dense foods, if you are that concerned.

Hi J.,
The "triple the birthweight by a year" is a recommendation not a command. If your baby is eating well and is developing normally my suggestion is to not focus on the number on the scale. Once he becomes more mobile he will be burning calories and building more muscle and will not gain weight as quickly. If he is losing weight or if his percentiles are dropping that may be a reason to speak to your pediatrician.
My daughter is a very active 15 1/2 month old who has stopped gaining weight as well. Our pediatrician wanted to see her in between her 15 and 18 month appointments for a weight check to see how she is doing. She eats well and we are trying to feed her healthy options that also may add some weigh to her like avocados and bananas and chicken nuggets and whole milk yogurt. When I weigh her at home she seems to be holding steady but not gaining weight. She is developing rapidly, getting taller, using more words every day and learning to run and jump. I am trying not to obsess about the number. Good luck!

I agree with the previous poster. The average child at 1 year is only 20 lbs so don't worry about the "triple the birth weight" thing. I know a child (not mine) who was 8 lbs. and some change at birth and at 19 months is only 18 lbs. She hasn't gained a single pound since she was 9 months old. Obviously she is the exception and yours is gaining better than that but she is just as healthy as any other child and smart as a whip. Also, with the not gaining weight thing, they don't gain weight as rapidly when you get closer to a year. The weight gain slows down a lot because of crawling and cruising and eventually walking.

If he is happy and healthy then there isnt anything to worry about. Kids go through growth spurts and if he is more active now it will just take some time for his body to adjust to all the new movement. Just enjoy your time and unless he is sick and unhealthy dont worry so much!

most babies weigh about 20 lbs at age 1 i've neer heard of the triple stuff or there would be many babies in trouble. many in my family are born weighing in at 10lbs. they in no way need to be 30lbs by age 1. these are just guidelines anyway. what matters i that your child is active and given the right foods he will do the rest. from what you described he is very helthy and any dr that says a child isnt just because he doesnt weigh a certain amount is one i would't go to. there are so mny other factors that go into a childs being healthy. please just relax and enjoy your baby he seems to be doing fine.

My son is 28 months old and has not yet tripled his birth weigh, yet he eats healthy and is happy. He is in the 50% for height and weight so I don't worry. You are making the right choice on changing daycare providers. It is very important to share the same values on everything as the person taking care of your children. Good Luck.