Baby weight: my child is small

A small weight from birth

A baby’s birth weight and height can be good indicators. Thereby, by comparing children born at term, we can already predict which ones will be rather small and which will be chubby, while knowing that nothing is ever frozen. What to watch closely are the weight and BMI (body mass index) curves. They are located in the second part of the health record. Thus, once he has regained the weight lost in the days following birth, it is important for his growth that the child remains on the weight curve that he has started. The averages, established through studies of the growth of young French children, are highlighted on the curves of the health record. Just because your baby is in the low average doesn’t mean there is necessarily a concern. Some babies are inherently thinner than others. The main thing: that it follow its own curve.

Low weight before 2 months: feeding the baby in question

In the first months of life, the baby is fed only milk. Thus, if it does not gain enough weight, it is breastfeeding that is first of all questioned. If this one is maternal, it happens that certain obstacles come to hinder its good nutrition. Maybe (in rare cases and often due to stress or fatigue) her mom doesn’t have enough milk? Perhaps the child is having difficulty or refusing to breastfeed?

If, on the other hand, the baby is breastfed with artificial milk, the cow’s milk protein allergy will be considered. Among the various reactions it can cause, weight stagnation is a good clue. If this is diagnosed, simply eliminating cow’s milk from the baby’s diet will be enough to turn things around.

Diversification: gluten intolerance and related weight loss

Gluten is a protein found in most cereals and which makes its entry into the diet of babies at the time of dietary diversification (in the flours of baby bottles, in small jars, etc.). This is when some children develop gluten intolerance. Main symptoms are weight loss, associated with bloating and diarrhea..

Baby has a little appetite: the psychological trail

As with some adults, a baby’s appetite can be influenced by his state of moral health. Thus, a baby disturbed by a change in childcare, by the absence of one of his parents or for any other reason may see his appetite diminish, and, in fact, grow less than he does. should.

Baby weight loss: the responsible diseases

Few of the children recover from gastroenteritis without losing a little weight. But it is not the only disease responsible for this kind of consequences. A nasopharyngitis, for example, can suppress the appetite of some. A baby struggling with winter viruses will find it difficult to build up reserves. This is how often a child’s weight curve breaks following a succession of periods of illness. A temporary situation, which returns to normal as soon as the baby is cured.

From 18 months, the child rejects certain foods

Between 18 months and 2 years, the child begins a refusal phase, also called the age of no. During this period of opposition, during which he asserts his personality, the food offered to him is sometimes (or often depending on the children) rejected. Thereby, the age of the no can also coincide with a break in the weight curve. A period without great gravity, provided that it does not last indefinitely.