We just took our little Colin (8 months) to the pediatrician for a check-up this week. Full disclosure: He hadn't been to the doc in a long time. We moved and my husband changed jobs four months ago, which meant there was a lapse in our insurance. He hadn't been going to daycare, so he wasn't being exposed to anything so I wasn't that worried about him.
When he was born he was in the 98th percentile for length and 50th percentile for his weight. Now, he's down to the 25th percentile for his height and 20th for his weight. The ped said he looked healthy and wasn't really that worried about it - he was babbling and blowing raspberries at her and squirming around, so she said he was obviously healthy, if small.
But, she did say she wanted to see some weight gain. I told her we were giving him 2-3 meals of solids each day - he eats a lot when he does get solids, and I don't want him eating too much and not taking enough milk. But she said to make it a definite three meals a day of solids - didn't suggest adding any more milkfeeds or formula.
I've been doing a baby-led approach - letting him feed himself a lot of the time, and if I do give purees, letting him guide the spoon with me. But that means some meals, he eats a lot and others a lot of it ends up on the floor. I've followed the idea that he doesn't really need solids - "food is for fun" - but now the pediatrician is suggesting adding more solids to make sure he gains weight.
Is this a sign I should work on my milk supply? Maybe supplement with more formula? Or maybe it's time to wean altogether. I'm a little bummed that now that he's being almost exclusively breastfed (since I've been at home, not working) that he's not gaining weight. Like I let him down
Then again, she did say from looking at him that it may be that he's just an active baby and burning a lot of calories. He is very squirmy, and always all over the place - wanting to stand and bounce, lunging, working on crawling. Even strangers comment on how he's just always moving. So it may have nothing to do with me.
Any suggestions?