Breastfed baby does not gain weight what to do?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by MSc.BS.Huynh Bao Toan - Neonatologist, Vinmec Nha Trang General Hospital. The doctor has 13 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics.
Every newborn has its own rate of development. Most babies tend to gain weight while breastfeeding. In some cases, breastfed babies don't gain weight, which is cause for concern for many parents. Here are some tips from your doctor for you.

1. Distinguishing natural slow weight gain from slow weight gain/no weight gain

As mentioned above, every child is born at a different rate of development. Some babies gain weight very quickly in the first few months, while others do not gain much weight. The important thing is how to know if the baby is slowly gaining weight naturally or because he has a health abnormality?
A baby with slow natural weight gain will usually gain weight steadily but gain very little. In addition, some other factors that suggest this include:
During the first 2 weeks after birth, the baby may lose weight but the following months will quickly regain this weight and increase steadily throughout the period. breastfeeding.
Baby gains at least 30 grams per day for the first 3 months. Between 3 and 6 months of age, your baby will gain at least 20 grams per day. On the contrary, the case of the child not gaining weight or gaining below the mentioned above limit for many weeks is a worrying sign. At this time, in addition to signs of not gaining weight, the baby may also have some other symptoms:
Baby does not gain back the old weight after 7-14 days after birth. There is a significant decrease in the overall growth rate (weight, height, head circumference,...) in the baby's growth curve.

2. Is not gaining weight in the newborn period dangerous to the baby?

The answer is yes.
If the baby's weight is not controlled, poor weight gain in the newborn can lead to dangerous complications later on such as:
Heart problems. Growth instability such as rickets, malnutrition... Weakened immune system. Weak muscles, weak bones. Lack of energy,...

3. The reason why breastfed babies don't gain weight

3.1. Lactose Intolerance Lactose is the predominant form of sugar found in all forms of milk (breast milk, formula, animal milk). It is also an important source of carbohydrates for infants.
However, some babies because of genetic reasons or because of sensitive intestinal tract, cannot digest this sugar, leading to the phenomenon that the baby does not gain weight while breastfeeding.
Some of the symptoms that indicate your baby is lactose intolerant include:
Loose, green or yellow stools. Bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea within minutes to hours of breastfeeding. Milk intolerance is quite rare in infants.
3.2. Breastfeeding the wrong way This is the most common reason why babies don't gain weight while breastfeeding. The wrong way to breastfeed often leads to a problem: the baby is not getting enough milk to gain weight (see how to feed properly here). This can come from many different causes, including:
The mother is not producing enough milk for the baby. Baby cannot suck milk. The number of feeding times a day is too small,... 3.3. Preterm birth This is also a common cause in babies with symptoms of poor weight gain. The bodies of premature babies tend to use more calories than usual to quickly perform simple activities, like breathing properly.
Premature babies require more attention to their nutritional needs as well as some tailored treatments to maintain long-term health.

4. Diagnosing slow weight gain in babies

It can be difficult to determine if your baby's weight gain is happening at a normal rate at a slow rate or if there is another abnormality in the baby's body. Therefore, when you see that your baby shows signs of not gaining weight during breastfeeding, especially in the first 3 months, you need to take your baby to see a doctor.
Doctors can use a variety of ways to diagnose a baby's slow weight gain.
4.1. Baby's weight in bottom percent of growth chart The chart provided by WHO shows the percentage of weight gain for babies. If the baby's weight gain is less than 3%, the baby is gaining weight slowly.
4.2. Blood test If there is doubt based on the child's symptoms, the doctor can perform a blood test to determine the specific condition of the baby, thereby giving the appropriate remedial plan.
4.3. Family history Some underlying genetic conditions can be discovered through a family history investigation. Therefore, you need to declare as completely and honestly as possible when asked.

5. Breastfed babies don't gain weight, what to do?

Supporting your baby to gain weight should be done slowly and patiently. Here are a few things you can do to help your baby gain weight properly.
Use a small nipple protector to make it easier to get food and breast milk into your baby's mouth. During the baby's weaning period, it is recommended to use a dropper or bottle to limit spillage of food; Give your baby the medicine prescribed by the gastroenterologist. Monitor your child's weight gain regularly. Take your baby to see a pediatrician as soon as possible to receive accurate advice on his condition, the reason why he does not gain weight as well as the most appropriate care and nutrition. If this condition persists without improvement, parents should supplement children with supportive products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their needs. nutritional requirements in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well. Parents can also apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption by the baby. The most important thing is that the improvement of the baby's symptoms must take place over the long term. The combination of many types of functional foods at the same time or continuously changing many types in a short time can cause the baby's digestive system not to adapt and completely not good. Therefore, parents must be really persistent with their children and regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.