4-month-old babies losing weight stems from many different causes. The most common is not getting enough breast milk.
In addition to the above cause, the weight loss of 4-month-old babies can also be caused by disease. The following article will help you learn more about this situation in children.
The child's weight is always a matter of great concern to mothers
Standard infant weight
Usually, babies lose 5-10% of their weight in the first week after birth. Weight loss in infants is expressed as a percentage of birthweight. Specifically, babies will lose up to 7-10% of their weight. According to the standards of the World Health Organization , this is completely normal.
After 2 weeks of birth, the baby's weight will return to the original. The baby's weight will double that of 4 months after birth. Boys can almost triple their birth weight at 12 months. Girls can take up to 16 months to triple their birth weight.
In fact, this standard is only relative. Because each child will have a different channel of development. Sometimes there are still kids with slow growth.
In contrast, some babies grow faster than normal. But if growth is too slow or weight loss can be a sign of concern.
What are the reasons why 4-month-old babies lose weight?
If the 4-month-old breastfed baby loses weight, the main cause is nutritional problems. Specifically, the baby does not receive the amount of milk needed to ensure development.
It is also not uncommon for babies to get enough breast milk. It again comes from the following common agents:
Your baby is not breastfed properly. In this case, the baby tends to latch on to the breast, but the optimal amount of milk is not obtained. The solution to the problem is also quite simple. Mom just need to correct the right way to breastfeed according to the instructions in the following article.
A lot of sleep is also the reason why 4-month-old babies lose weight. When you spend too much time sleeping, your baby will forget to feed. When a child's body is not getting the necessary amount of milk because of a lot of sleep, weight loss is natural.
A malfunction in the mother's milk production apparatus also causes the baby to suckle less milk. The delayed milk production also causes the baby to be "thirsty" without the mother's knowledge. Many diaper mothers have physical or hormonal problems… often fail to produce an abundant supply of milk. This is also a fairly common cause of baby weight loss.
In addition, the weight loss baby can also be caused by lazy feeding. Especially when the mother does not know how to stimulate the baby to suck enough milk.
Babies who sleep a lot and suckle are one of the causes of weight loss
A remedy for 4-month-old babies losing weight due to low feeding
The simplest and most effective way to keep your baby from losing weight is to breastfeed more often. According to experts, the baby needs to breastfeed at least 6 times in 24 hours. It is best if you feed your baby 8-12 times in 24 hours.
When you feed your baby regularly, it speeds up milk production. Some babies need only one breast at a time, and some babies need both. You can try giving your baby both sides at one feed.
If the baby sleeps through the night and stops breastfeeding, it can also lead to weight loss. You might consider waking your baby at night to breastfeed. This is a completely normal thing. Parents should not regret their child's sleep, but leave the baby hungry all night.
You should also check that the baby is latched properly? There are many babies that latch on for a long time, seem to suck a lot, but actually cannot get much milk. The reason is because the baby latched on the wrong breast.
Right and wrong latching babies
What should parents do when a 4-month-old baby loses weight, not due to little breastfeeding?
If the 4-month-old baby's weight loss was not caused by low feeding, you should see your doctor to:
Check to see if your child has a tongue tie. Some babies with tongue brakes are very lazy to suckle, leading to weight loss. However, to be able to check this exactly, you need the expertise of your doctor.
Consulting the ability to create milk. In some women, the ability to make milk by the location may not be high. At that time, ask your doctor about the use of methods to help stimulate breast milk.
Check for an infection in the mother. This can make it difficult for mothers to breastfeed, leading to weight loss.
You should regularly check the child's weight
You should also check your baby's weight regularly. Because this is the only way to know if your baby is gaining or losing weight. You should also track your baby's stool, urine and feeding habits and take notes. If there are any abnormalities, you should consult a doctor.
In conclusion
Losing weight or delaying weight gain if left unattended and corrected can lead to complications. For example, heart problems, malnutrition, weak immune system ... However, you should not be too worried because 4-month-old baby with weight loss can still be overcome with the above solutions.
See more:
Weight table of infants aged 0-6 months
Breastfed babies don't gain weight - reasons mothers need to know
Do you know how much breastfed babies are required?