Growth Deceleration in BF 12 mo

[katiebee18]

DS weighed an ounce less at his 12 mo check up than at 9 month check up (he did start crawling right after his checkup, so is much more active). He also went from 30-40% for height to 5-15% for height and the ped is worried about this. I have to bring DS back to have his weight checked in a month and they also want me to do a blood draw to check everything out (they do it in the arm and not a heel stick at 12 months )

I planned on starting weaning around this time, pretty gradually as DH still BF 6-8 times a day and eats 3 meals a day plus 1-2 snacks, but now I feel like I should keep BF as that is a sure way to get him calories, nutrients, protein, etc.

Anyone else experience this? If so, how long did you BF?

I feel selfish but have a chronic pain condition that affects the vulva called vestibulitis which came on as a result of the injury from childbirth and hormonal changes due to BF, which make DTD pretty painful. I recently got my menstrual cycle back which has hormonally helped some but DTD is still kinda uncomfortable. After I stop BF and my estrogen levels normalize, I have been told my vesitbulitis may clear up and I am so looking forward to that BUT I enjoy BF DH and he seems to enjoy as well....not looking for answers, just support Something I have to figure out!

[Erin M]

(((hugs))) first off, it can't be fun coping with any sort of painful condition.

I know it is normal for babies to jump around on growth curves from visit to visit.  I have a hard time with the height/length measurement -- it seems so inexact and if they're off by just a little bit from one visit to the next I think it can effect where they are on the charts. 

What kinds of solids is he taking?  You might look to up the fat in his solids if you think he needs more calories -- full fat dairy, avocados, lots of butter, oils, etc. 

My guess is he'll be fine no matter what you decide -- what will he be weaning to if you stop BFing?

[Fiver]

WRT the height, it could be a mismeasurement, like Erin said, or that he's just about to have a height increase, so measuring a couple of weeks later could have a different result.

[katiebee18]

Thanks, we will have another measurement on the 21st so hopefully there will be change (and they will measure correctly).

DS eats lots of different solids but a lot of whole milk fat dairy these days (cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt) as well as fruits, some vegetables, beans, eggs, grains (bread, waffles, oatmeal, pastas, mac and cheese) and meat occasionally.

Unfortunately he does not like avocado but likes most other fatty foods.

I give him a few ounce of whole milk with a little carnation instant breakfast added as well about twice a day. This is usually in addition to the 6-8 nursing sessions per day.

The appointment made me focus a little more on amounts and types of foods, so I think we are headed in the right direction.

On our home baby scale he already weighs 14.5 ounces more than he did at the doc about 2 weeks ago.

[Fiver]

well, that sounds like progress.

[Erin M]

14.5 ounces, good work!   

[katiebee18]

Thanks! We are weighing him again tomorrow so hopefully he has gained more. We are trying to not obsess about it and only weigh once a week. He looks bigger

[Erin M]

Great!  Hope he weighs more!

[katiebee18]

4 ounces more, I will take it!

[Fiver]

Yay

[Erin M]