Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

My triplets are now 5 months. At birth my two DS were each 3lbs and my DD was considered a micro preemie at 1lb 14oz.

Now 5 months later, the boys are weighing 12lbs 6oz and 10lbs 11oz. I am very happy with their weight gain as are the doctors.
My DD only weighs 8lbs 4oz. She is seriously the smallest 5 month old I have ever seen. Newborn clothing is STILL swimming on her. Besides being small, she has no fat on her body, so is all muscle. I know that she was so small at birth and she is consistently gaining, but she is gaining slowly. The boys tend to gain 2lbs every month and she is only gaining 1lb. The doctors are a bit concerned, but not overly concerned, they want to just watch her and see how she progresses. They said as long as she continues to gain.

So my question is, does anyone have a baby that was small at birth and now still small? Do you think I should take her to a specialist of some sort? I am a new mother and I just dont want her to fall too far behind because of her size. I just don't know what to do. She is a good eater and takes 5 bottles 6oz bottles of BM (fortified with Similar Neosure-for extra calories).

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

This was my response from the parenting board:

DD was 2.3 lbs. and DS was 3.10 lbs. when they were born. He went through very noticeable growth spurts as a newborn/infant. I have pictures of him where he literally has a double chin because out of no where he would gain weight so quickly. DD never went through anything like that. She slowly gained weight. Not too slow, usually a lb. maybe 1 1/2 lbs. a month. Dr.'s were never concerned as long as she was constantly gaining. Even now DS weighs 3 more pounds then her. He is 23 and she is 20.

Maybe it's just a girl thing! As long as your dr. isn't super concerned then I wouldn't be either. You said she always gains and is a good eater so that's just another reason I wouldn't be concerned either.

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

My twins were bigger, but DD was 4-12 and came home from the hospital at 4 lbs. She gained very slowly. SHe was never on the growth chart as a baby and about 1 she hit the 5th percentile and has been between 5th-10th. She is 2 now and 21-22lbs. She eats though, and has consistently been tiny so the doctor isn't worried.

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

G. was only 4 lbs when he came home from the hospital. Now at 18mo, he is only around 21lbs. He is less than 5% on the growth chart. My dr isn't particularly worried. (My side of the family is very skinny so the dr said G. probably just got more of my genes than H.) As long as your dr isn't too worrried, I wouldn't stress. Did the dr give you and suggestions of what you can do to help her weight?

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

Have you asked the drs. if there is anything you can add to her formula to help her gain weight? I remember that the NICU dr. recommended some type of oil to put in the bottle. We were concerned about her weight gain. We never did it though.

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

No experience with preemies or micro preemie.

But my girls were born at 37w2d. K was born at 4lbs12 and J was 6lbs.

At their 7 month well visit J was 11lbs 1oz and K was 10lbs 3oz. They still fit into 3 month clothes!

The ped isn't concerned at all. They gain an average of a pound a month and the ped said as long as they stay on their own growth curve there is no reason to be worried especially since they are hitting all of their milestones.

Re: Moms of Small Preemies or micro preemies

Hi!
Mine were both a little over 2lbs each. My daughter also always gained a lot slower and still is and was always low on the weight gain charts...maybe 10th percentile. We have seen many doctors and not one has been concerned as long as she eats and consistantly gained....it still worries me to this day (she will be 3 in march), but I am learning to let go...My son is probably 3 or 4 pounds more than her and also a lot taller.. They are just two different babies!