Why do babies slowly gain weight?

Slow infant weight gain is always what worries many parents and there are many possible causes of this condition.

The fact that the baby's baby grows more slowly than the neighbor's child is what makes many parents wonder and worry. In fact, there are many factors that slow your baby's weight gain compared to a child his / her age. So is it dangerous for slow-gaining babies and how to improve? If you have any questions above, then join aFamilyToday Health to find out through the following article.

Signs of slow weight gain of babies

The only way to know if your baby is gaining weight is through having it checked at regular wellness visits. You should also track your baby's stool, urine, and feeding habits and take notes. In addition, some symptoms of the baby being slow or not gaining weight may also include the baby being tired, drowsy ...

When does slow infant weight gain become a concern?

Breastfed babies can lose up to 10% of their body weight during the first week of life. Your baby will regain the lost weight after two weeks of age. Over the next three months, breastfed infants increased by about 29 g / day.

Weight gain is the best sign that your baby is getting enough milk. When your baby gains weight more slowly than expected, it means that he hasn't received the amount of food he needs yet. So, if after two weeks your baby doesn't have the same weight as it was when it was born or don't gain weight steadily, it may be a problem.

Causes babies slow to gain weight

There are many reasons why your baby is not achieving the expected weight, including:

Not latching properly

Correct latching will help the baby get breastmilk out of the breast without feeling tired and frustrated. If babies are unable to do this, they will slowly gain weight or not even gain weight at all.

Please see the article How to breastfeed your baby 4 ways to breastfeed your baby through each position  to see if you breastfeed your baby properly.

Poor feeding time

Infants should be breastfed every 2-3 hours a day for the first 6-8 weeks after birth. If your baby shows a desire to breastfeed more often, fulfill your baby's need and don't wait until your baby cries.

The baby is having health problems

If your baby is uncomfortable with birth injuries or an infection such as thrush, your baby may not want to breastfeed. This leads to slow weight gain in the infant.

Low breast milk supply

Insufficient breast milk can make the baby hungry, leading to slow weight gain. However, this will improve quite easily if you know how to increase milk production . In case of lack of breast milk due to health problems, please see your doctor for guidance and treatment.

Circumstances potentially having difficulty gaining weight

While most babies will breastfeed and gain weight steadily, some are more likely to have difficulty with this, putting the risk of growth retardation high.

Jaundice in newborn babies : This disease will make the baby very sleepy and lazy to suckle

Premature babies: Babies born prematurely before 37 weeks may not have the energy or energy to breastfeed. Your baby is also more likely to fall asleep and experience medical problems such as dehydration, which in turn makes breastfeeding more difficult.

Gastroesophageal reflux: Infants often vomit after a breastfeed not only causing a loss of milk in the stomach, but acid from the stomach can also irritate the throat and esophagus, making it difficult for the baby to suckle.

In rare cases, not gaining weight can be caused by problems with:

Anemia heart disease

Lungs (such as cystic fibrosis )

Chromosomes (such as Down's syndrome )

Nervous system (such as cerebral palsy)

Metabolic or endocrine disorders (such as growth hormone deficiency)

If your baby has one of the problems listed above, you should see him or her and follow your doctor's instructions.

Should babies be weighed at home?

For some mothers, weighing their newborn at home may help ease some of the anxiety associated with breastfeeding if the baby is gaining weight slowly. However, it will only make you feel better if you have an accurate scale and you know how to use it.

Please see the article  The child's height, weight index and 6 stature determinants to know what developmental milestone your child is at.

Complications of delayed weight gain in infants

If left unchecked, slow infant weight gain can cause negative effects, such as:

Malnutrition

Weak muscle structure

Heart problems

Unstable growth

Weakened immune system

Always tired due to lack of energy.

What to do when babies slowly gain weight?

If your baby is gaining weight slowly or not even gaining weight, you can:

Give your baby more formula

Use a breast feeding nipple to help your baby get enough milk for growth

Take your child to the doctor as soon as possible to have the test and detect the cause, and if needed

Make sure your baby latches on correctly. You can get help from someone experienced in breastfeeding, doctor, or specialist for help if needed.

Breastfeed every 2-3 hours and whenever there is signs of hunger. Do not spacing the breastfeeding time (about 3-4 hours per meal) like formula-fed babies because breastmilk is easier to digest, so breastfed babies need to eat more often.

Avoid using a pacifier for the first 4 - 6 weeks after giving birth. If your baby latches on a pacifier often, it can tire him out, poor feeding makes the amount of breastmilk receive as little as expected. After your baby breastfeeds and gains weight well, you can re-use the pacifier

Try to get your baby active while he is being fed for about 20 minutes. If your baby is sleepy, keep him awake by tickling his feet, changing positions, changing diapers and patting his back to help him burp.

Phuong Uyen / HELLO BACS