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Is Slow Weight Gain In A 5-month-old A Concern?

Posted on Wed, 8 Feb 2017

Question: Hi , my 5 n a half month old girl baby weighted of 6 kgs .her birth weight was 2.9 kgs .. She is mix-fed ..She's a very poor weight gainer .. In every 15/20 days shez only putting on 200 grams.. Now I hv already started nestum rice for her .. 2 scoops daily 2 times .. Additionally she's having formula 2 times a day .. Rest of the times or while sleeping she's on breast milk .. She's very much active, and social also .. While feeding she used to sweat a lot.. Donno what's wrong m doing !!! I am really worried bout her poor weight gain thing .. Plz help me out ..

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Usually babies double the birth weight by 5 months

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I understand your concern. As a simple calculation I would like to reassure you that your baby is growing well. Babies usually double the birth weight by 5 months. This has happened in your baby's case. Moreover by what you say, she's developmentally also doing excellently well...So do not worry.

I have a few questions for you. Please revert back to me with answers so that I can guide you better.

Questions -

1. What is the exact date of birth of the baby?

2. What is the exact current weight of the baby?

3. What is the exact current length of the baby?

Based on this I will calculate the percentiles and get back to you.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (4 hours later)

DOB: 27th July , 2016
Current weight : 6 kgs
Current height : 62 cm

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on percentiles of baby's growth

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... as I have told you I have calculated the percentiles of both weight and height of your baby. Your baby is doing excellently well. For you to understand the concept of percentiles, I will explain you the basics of it.

Any percentile value between 5th to 95th percentile is normal. Your baby's weight is falling between 10th to 15th percentile and length is falling between 15th to 25th percentile. In this way the baby's growth pattern is excellent.

If you have any further queries in this regard or anything regarding your baby I will be glad to answer.

If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.

In this way even in health care magic you can follow up always with a single doctor who knows the history of your kid completely. Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (25 minutes later)

Thnkz for your answer doc .. It was really helpful .. I am feeling much better now ..1 more thing I need to know,,She will be of 6 months on 27th of January.. Plz lemme knw which food should I start ?? From when I can start rice n daal or khichdi? Egg and fish ? And what bout cow milk ? How many times I can give solid food !!

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on complimentary feeding

Detailed Answer:
Hi....Your kid's birth weight and current weight are absolutely superb. My congratulations for it.
At this age you can start giving Cerelac stage one rice or Nestum rice stage 1 etc. All are same in calories and energy. Only thing is palatability which is subjective for each kid.
Other home-made food options will be -
1. Daal and rice well cooked and made into a porridge along with ghee
2. Boiled apple or banana and mashed into a paste.
3. Any made cereal porridge preparation with additional ghee added.
Remember certain principles like -
1. Add one food material / cereal or fruit per week. This will be useful because if he develops vomiting or diarrhoea, we will know what to avoid.
2. Add vegetables and fruits made into a paste surely to avoid constipation.
3. Do not add too much sugar as it may cause diarrhoea.

Now coming to your queries one by one -

1. Rice daal and khichdi can be started gradually after 6 months.

2. Avoid non vegetarian and egg till 1 year.

3. Avoid ground nuts till 2 years.

4. Start cow's milk after 1 year of age.

5. Number of times of solid food depends on kid's palatability and acceptance.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D