Why Is My Baby So Skinny? (Causes, Symptoms and Solutions)

Are you worried about your baby’s weight and why is your baby so skinny?

The health of your infant, what they can consume, and what playthings are safe for them to use are just a few of the worries of becoming a parent.

Among the many inquiries parents have regarding their child’s weight, the topic of whether the child is slender usually comes first.

You could fear what other people will think of your infant, a health issue the baby is experiencing which is why you are fretful, or your concern that the baby’s weight is declining.

Whatever the cause, we will assist you in determining the solution to the question, “Why is my baby so skinny?”

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Many people believe that babies should be fat, cute, and cuddly. You’ll draw a lot of unwelcome attention if your infant is tiny.

People will approach you and offer advice on making your child fat, even if they have no purpose or significance in your life.

Even close relatives can be cruel to mothers regarding lean infants. The mother begins to feel forced into weight by the random counsel given.

Why is my baby so skinny?

Here are a few factors that determine why your baby is so skinny;

1. Genetics

Genetics will have a significant role in determining a baby’s size and weight, which is likely to be the case.

It won’t be unusual for a lean infant to have parents who are also lean. Similarly, a child who is overweight may have genetic predispositions due to a somewhat obese parent.

2. A short period of breastfeeding

You should breastfeed your newborn for around 8 to 10 minutes on each side. Your child won’t need to nurse for as long to acquire the breast milk they require as they age.

However, throughout the first several weeks, strive to keep your infant awake and actively sucking for as long as possible.

3. Breastfed vs. Bottle feeding

Although it might sound stereotypical, breastfed babies and bottle-fed babies will differ from one another. The formula is likely to cause babies to gain more weight, which correlates directly with how many bottle feedings they have had.

According to a recent study, breastfed infants gained less weight at the three, five, seven, and twelve-month marks. The bottle-fed babies gained greater weight throughout the same period, in contrast.

4. Irregular breastfeeding

For the first six to eight weeks, breastfeed your baby at least once every two to four hours throughout the day and night. Reposition them to the breast if they wish to nurse more frequently.

5. Low birth weight

However, one factor influencing the child’s low weight is genetics. The low birth weight brought on by early or premature delivery can also cause the baby’s thinness.

For the first few months, low birth weight may persist. As the body begins to develop, it will naturally fix itself.

However, please talk to your pediatrician about your baby’s development and track his growth, especially if he was born prematurely.

First of all, not all newborns that seem underweight are. Sometimes appearances are deceptive.

You all are aware of the impact that dark colors and vertical stripes can have on your arrival. Therefore, it’s necessary to determine whether the newborn or youngster is underweight.

BMI is a helpful indicator for deciding whether you need to fatten up a slim infant. Do not be concerned if the BMI falls within the usual range.

We can use simple math to determine a person’s body mass index using height and weight. You can calculate BMI as follows: weight in kilograms/m2, where m2 equals height in meters squared.

Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25.0 or higher, while a healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9. BMI applies to the vast majority of adults between 18 and 65.

6. Poor Latch

Breast milk can be removed from your breast by your child with a healthy latch without them becoming weary or frustrated.

Your baby won’t be able to withdraw breast milk from you very successfully if they are not latching on properly or are only latching on to your nipple.

7. Ache or discomfort

Your baby may have difficulty nursing and may be gaining weight slowly if they are not comfortable due to a birth injury or an illness like thrush in her mouth.

8. Low or Slow Supply of Breast Milk

Breast milk production may start later for some moms, resulting in either a slow or a late start.

Many factors, some of which may act alone or in combination to lower the amount of milk a kid receives when nursing, can contribute to other moms’ chronic low milk supply.

Despite being less frequent, some medical conditions can result in a low supply of breast milk.

You can still increase the deficient milk supply, but it will be more challenging. A doctor must handle the treatment and follow-up for it.

9. Lacking enough nutrients

If you are feeding your infant the incorrect diet, they may be skinny.

It simply indicates that they aren’t getting enough nutrients from their food to maintain a healthy weight.

Lean baby vs. Underfed baby

Lean babies

Babies might be born skinny due to genetics or poor womb growth. Their weight and height at birth may be below average. As they become older, they typically keep the percentile point, though.

Most of these infants are in good health.

A baby who shows interest in his environment and gets along well with others is a sign of health. He is lively, has a good appetite, and sleeps well. He meets all of his goals on schedule. He consumes enough food, shows interest in it, and does not require coercive feeding.

Underfed babies

These newborns may be lean or typical. However, they are not well fed, very clinging, and energetic. However, they opt not to engage with their environment.

In such situations, special procedures ought to be taken. It could result from poor feeding practices, a diet deficient in nutrients, or underlying medical issues.

Their pediatrician can suggest specialized care in either scenario.

Should You Feed a Skinny Baby More Food?

You, as a mother, might be looking for advice on how to make a slender baby plump. But it would be best if you didn’t have that as your goal.

The primary goal of the diet is growth and development, not to conform your child to the norms of society.

Don’t worry if your infant is skinny. Let him be. Aversions and frequent vomiting might result from overeating, and you’ll feel more anxious.

Overfeeding could lead to obesity and health issues, neither of which you want for your child.

So, ignore all the remarks regarding his weight and concentrate on his improvement. You are the best judge of how well your child is developing.

However, you should consult a doctor if your infant is underfed.

Symptoms of inadequate feeding in babies

On the other hand, you should see your child’s pediatrician if their developmental milestones seem to be missed or delayed.

Likewise, if any of the following signs are present together with your baby’s slow growth, seek medical attention:

1. lethargy

2. Inability to feed adequately from a bottle or breast

3. Not passing out feces

Do I need to give my young child a vitamin supplement?

The government advises all children between six months and five to take a vitamin supplement, and the supplements should also include Vitamins A, C, and D according to your child’s age range.

Under the government’s Healthy Start program, low-income individuals may be eligible for free vitamins.

Underweight children may not receive enough vitamins and nutrients from their diet regularly; therefore, taking a vitamin daily can be essential for them.

Your toddler’s hunger may grow due to the increased ability of their body to absorb iron from their diet.

However, unless your pediatrician feels it is necessary, your toddler won’t need an iron supplement.

Taking extra iron when you don’t need to can lead to issues. For instance, too much iron may prevent your toddler’s body from adequately absorbing other minerals.

Constipation brought on by too much iron can also prevent your child from eating, which will only make the issue worse.

How can I get my young child to eat more?

Your child may need to eat meals and snacks with more calories if you cannot increase the amount of food they consume.

It’s essential to support your child’s weight gain healthily, and you can increase caloric intake while still ensuring that your child receives the vital nutrients they require.

This means that you shouldn’t allow kids to overindulge in cakes, candies, and chips, which are low in vitamins and minerals.

Milk can quickly fill your toddler’s tiny stomach, even though it helps boost food’s calorie content.

To prevent giving your kid less room for meals throughout the day, avoid giving them a milk drink at night.

You might ask your doctor to recommend a dietician who can offer better ideas for increasing your toddler’s calorie intake.

Doctor’s Advice for Babies not gaining weight

If your child isn’t gaining weight, your doctor might advise the following:

Each condition is different when it comes to helping your child gain weight. Consult your doctor for advice on how to deal with your child’s underweight if you’ve concluded that it’s a real problem.

Your doctor could advise you to nurse your child more regularly or take other measures to enhance your supply if breastfeeding them.

Doctors might also suggest adding formula to your diet or starting or increasing your intake of solid foods.

Parents of babies fed formula may also give their children more frequent feedings or finger foods.

For babies who have begun solid foods but are still not eating enough, providing more variety, selecting higher-calorie, more nutrient-dense foods, and aiming to make mealtimes an exciting, enjoyable experience are all weight-promoting possibilities.

Babies might be tall, short, skinny, or chubby and come in various shapes and sizes. While society can promote the idea that your infant needs rolls of baby fat to be healthy, this is untrue.

As long as they meet developmental milestones, act attentive and active, and eat normally, you probably don’t need to be concerned.

Not exponential growth, but steady growth is the secret to a baby’s health.

Also, remember that the best person to determine whether your infant needs to gain weight is your pediatrician, not a neighbor or family member. Many methods and resources can help your child get back on track, even if they need to bulk up.

Does Breastfeeding Provide Your Baby With Enough Nutrition?

If you breastfed your child during the first three months, some symptoms might help determine whether the infant is not gaining weight from breast milk.

1. After the first three months, it indicates poor nutrition if his weight at checkups stops rising.

2. If your breasts do not feel softer and more tender than they were before feeding your baby, it may be a sign that the baby is unable to latch on properly, which causes him to feed insufficiently.

3. He might be fighting to eat from your breast and producing a sucking noise while moving his jaws more than usual. He might even swallow loudly from time to time.

When to Consult a Physician

Regarding your child’s weight gain concerns, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible because they could indicate more severe issues.

There’s no need to freak out, though. You can control most infant weight gain or weight loss with dietary and routine adjustments.

While it’s normal to be concerned about your baby’s poor weight gain, remember that many aspects are within your power to influence in other to enable you to manage his gradual weight gain and choose what is best for him.