Luke's 4 mth visit & question for the other Moms

I went to the pediatrician today for Luke's 4 month visit and he was 26 inches, 14 lbs, 9 oz. He's 90th percentile on height, 50th on weight. My ped said she thinks he is too thin because he is so long and wants him to gain more. 1) he doesn't look 'skinny' 2) he eats plenty-32 oz formula and day and some cereal most days 3) DH and I are both tall and DH is naturally thin (not skinny but slim) and I.... I should be so lucky. LOL!!! 4) he's not undernourished or weak like he would be if he was underfed

So now she wants me to give him cereal 2 times a day in addition to his formula, plus fruit or veggies - 2 jars a day. He will never eat that much. He's very wiry so he probably burns alot of it off. My question to the Moms is does he sound skinny to anyone?


I should add that the poor guy got 2 more immunizations and was not happy at all. I felt so bad for him. The tears were running down his face and he has this new cry recently, a more mature-sounding cry that sounds like big time suffering. All the mother's were saying 'awwww' when I finally brought him back out into the waiting area. Other than that he's great!!!!!!!!!

Emma just went to the doc (7 months) and she was 28 inches and 17lbs 2oz. She is 90% height and 50% in weight. Her ped said that shes STILL a little tall (shes been tall since birth). He doesnt see a problem with it. He said she is gaining enough weight month to month and growing at the same rate. I guess the ratio is good enough for him. I even asked if I should feed her more but he said that she doesnt need the extra calories.

I would look at what Emma was at 4 months but her book is in the car and its COLD out

I think your doctor is just being cautious. Has he always been 90% and 50%? I could see him worrying if he went from 50% and 50% to 90% and 50% but not if its been consistant.

Well at 4 months Patrick was 16lbs 12oz & was 25 1/2 inches long. He was considered to be a pudge!!! The Doctor kept saying 'Well...he's not thin!!' I NEVER worried!! HONESTLY!!! I believe that this is where Mother Knows Best !!! Every child is different. Patrick last appoitment was at 16 months & he was 28lbs 12 oz & 32 1/2 inches. His cousin is 4 & he weighs 32 lbs!!! And Patrick is no where near a pudge anymore!! It all evens out eventually!!
My best advice is do what YOU feel best & wait out till the next appoitment!!

I'm not there yet but I'll be there soon and I agree with IrishTracy and every child is different and where do these doctors get these 'scales' from and who's to say who's too tall, who's too thin, who's too long???? It's crazy I doubt our Moms got all this info when we were little, hey as long as your not starving your kid what the????

I'm sure babies LET YOU know when they are hungry...oh geez I can see the arguements now with my doctor.......

Liz, you already know that I had a similar conversation with the doctor on this...which doc was it, BTW? Castiglia is the one that told me Paul should gain more....maybe she likes her babies plump? LOL!

My cousin's son Sal is a wire too. At a 14 months, he was still wearing a size 6-9 mos in pants b/c he is so tall and slim. Paul weighs almost as much as Sal, and they are 11 mos. apart. But, Paul is not considered overweight, so where do you figure each child's 'normal' weight? Every child is different.

Anyway, I agree w/Tracy that you will know what's best for Luke. But, one thing I will say is that the more solids he eats, the less formula he will drink. So, why not try offering him a little more cereal everyday. He will let you know when he's full, so it's not like you're going to over feed him. And you can introduce fruits and veggies slowly. It will take him time to get used to it, and it will probably seem like he's eating less at times b/c they don't like the taste and end up pushing it away.

I wouldn't worry too much. I am sure he's fine!

Liz

I just got back from John Anthony's 4m visit. He weights 14lbs 15oz, height 25 1/2 inches. Dr. said everything is great, he's in the 75th% for both.

I wouldnt be concerned ! I think Luke looks healthy and happy ! (from those gorgeous pictures you post !!)

HUGS !

So far, we've been giving him cereal in every bottle. A good heaping tablespoon per 5oz. and I give him a jar of green beans per day (half at lunch and half at dinner). I may increase to 2 per day if he wants it. I will also be giving him other veggies, and then starting on the fruits and meats in the months to come.

Dont worry. The ped says that Ali is in the 10 percentile. She is 15p 9oz at 7 and half mo and that she is fine. Dont really listen becuase all babies are different. It sounds like the baby is happy and is eating. You cant force hin to eat and in my opinion that is too much food the ped is trying to feed him. Ali is just up to eating that much now. Dont worry about it.

Thanks everyone. Everyone's comments just confirm what I already know-he's fine. I've been looking at him even more and he's not skinny, just lean and despite my pediatrician's advice, I will do a modified version of what she was suggesting. I know my boy and he's not capable of eating as much as she was telling me to feed him. They go by the growth chart & percentiles and also, he gained less than 1 pound this past month so that is probably what sparked the comment as well. He had surgery this past month and I think also had a growth spurt, he has certainly always had a nice appetite. Thanks all!


Claud- LOL It was Castiglia! Yup, she must like 'em with rolls on the legs