Causes of Poor Weight Gain in Babies

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns gain 4 to 7 ounces per week in the early months. Slower weight gain in a young baby can lead to serious health problems, or it may be a symptom of an existing problem.

Underfeeding

An obvious and common cause of poor weight gain, underfeeding can occur due to strict feeding schedules, maternal depression, family dysfunction or a weak suck.

Overdilution of Formula

Watered-down formula can lead to severe malnutrition in babies.

Insufficient Milk Supply

Ineffective breastfeeding management can cause under-production of breast milk. More rarely, a physiological problem in a breastfeeding mother can cause that as well.

Prematurity and Low Birthweight

Babies who were born premature tend to gain weight more slowly than average, as do full-term babies who were born small for gestational age. Maternal smoking and drug abuse are risk factors for prematurity, low birth weight and slow postpartum growth.

Illness or Medical Complication

The baby may have a medical condition that slows weight gain, such as GERD, diarrhea or cystic fibrosis. There are other medical causes. Get your baby checked out by a trusted doctor if the poor weight gain continues.

References

• Great Expectations: Baby's First Year; Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones; 2007
• American Academy of Pediatrics New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding; Joan Younger Meek; 2002
• Failure to Thrive