Failure to thrive
Some children don’t gain weight or grow as much as they should and this can happen for a variety of reasons.
In medical terms it’s often described as failure to thrive. Reasons for your child failing to thrive may include:
- Poor appetite or poor diet.
- Low birthweight.
- Frequent childhood illnesses that have stopped her from eating or affected her digestion of food.
- A disease that is hindering her growth, such as kidney failure, malaria or TB.
- Emotional deprivation.
Feeding
Sometimes feeding techniques are responsible for a baby’s failure to thrive. If a baby doesn’t latch on properly to the breast she fails to grow and put weight on. If your baby is very underweight or doesn’t seem to be steadily putting on weight, talk to your pediatrician, who can check that your baby is receiving milk properly from you. She may suggest supplementing with formula milk if you’re not producing much breast milk.
Babies who fail to gain weight while bottlefeeding may not be getting enough milk. Check that the nipple is the correct flow-rate for your baby’s age, and that you’re measuring and mixing his formula correctly. If your pediatrician is concerned, she may refer your child for further tests to check if an underlying condition is preventing your child from gaining weight.
The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 19/06/2007
Related Chat 5
my daughte is six months old now and is only 14lb 6oz which is way below average for her age i have spoken to health visitors, doctors you name it im so confused though because she eats so much was a good birth weight but just dont gain weight we are in process of seeing a specialist so i might get the answer ive been looking for eventually, at the moment im not that concerned because she eats and is very healthy.
Hi my son is 2 and half and is only 26lbs and is under the locall hospital.
I wouldnt worry my son does not eat well and has some other medical problems as well.
I cant get clothes to fit my son becasue jeans just fall of him!!
Good luck and I am sure you will be ok
my daughte is six months old now and is only 14lb 6oz which is way below average for her age i have spoken to health visitors, doctors you name it im so confused though because she eats so much was a good birth weight but just dont gain weight we are in process of seeing a specialist so i might get the answer ive been looking for eventually, at the moment im not that concerned because she eats and is very healthy.
Hi my son is 2 and half and is only 26lbs and is under the locall hospital.
I wouldnt worry my son does not eat well and has some other medical problems as well.
I cant get clothes to fit my son becasue jeans just fall of him!!
Good luck and I am sure you will be ok
my daughte is six months old now and is only 14lb 6oz which is way below average for her age i have spoken to health visitors, doctors you name it im so confused though because she eats so much was a good birth weight but just dont gain weight we are in process of seeing a specialist so i might get the answer ive been looking for eventually, at the moment im not that concerned because she eats and is very healthy.
Hi my son is 2 and half and is only 26lbs and is under the locall hospital.
I wouldnt worry my son does not eat well and has some other medical problems as well.
I cant get clothes to fit my son becasue jeans just fall of him!!
Good luck and I am sure you will be ok
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