Teething can cause weight loss?

[Jill]

At her 4 months check up DD was trekking very well and weighed 7.8kg. She started on solids a week short before she turned 5months (paed's advice). DD began showing symptoms of teething two weeks into her solid food. Feeding time became trying time especially for mum. Her intake dropped from about 800-850ml a day plus the solids to 500-600ml. About two weeks or so ago I started giving her solids twice a day with still the same intake of her formula. I thought DD was doing fine until we went to see our GP for her regular check up before her immunisation. Her weight is still at 7.8kg! Dr wasn't really concerned but I am . I mean for two months since she was last weighed she did not gain any weight at all. In fact I think she may have lost a bit as I was quite convinced she put on more weight before the teething. I'd like to know if any of you have experienced similar problem?

[onthefly]

That sounds stressful for you
I would stop solids and get the milk intake up agin if you can. At this age they don't get much from solids so milk is more important.
It might not be a big concern, but you'd expect a little bit of weight gain at this age, at least. Is she definitely teething or just symptoms? Could she be ill at all, because that can lead to slow/no weight gains.

[leckert]

is she more active than she was before you started solids? that can sometimes slow weight gain.

[Jill]

Yes she is teething. Dr checked her gum this morning and said something about seeing some buds on her bottom gum. Also I noticed DD seems to be getting a mild nappy rash. It takes longer to feed her, she looks like she's in some kind of pain when she sucks, and she wriggles in my arms and bites the teat. Come to think of it she bites her bibs, her towels, her spoon when I feed her and pokes her fingers into her mouth until she gags and sometimes throws up. When I give her the solids, she appears to swallow her food without much discomfort compared when taking her bottle. Dr checked her quite thoroughly and gave her the clear. She is quite active, learning to crawl. She rolled from her back to tummy just a few weeks ago and now she's beginning to crawl on her knees. And yes I may resort back to just feeding her the formula and put the solids on hold for a while. By the way I forgot to mention that sometimes I finish off her bottle by feeding her either using a dropper or a spoon.

[HotI]

I found an amber teething necklace helps my little one with teething.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Firstly, don't stress hunny my little girl is 8 months old and i don't even think she weighs 8kgs yet. She's always been below average for her weight. You are doing a great job. teething can make babies lose their appetites and wouldnt be surprised if it slows down weight gain. The extra activity she is doing could also be playing a part or she could be coming up to a growth spurt.

[Jill]

Thank you all! I feel a bit relieved in a way. Last night DD woke up around 2.30 making sucking noises. I knew it must be her gum. She's been sleeping through since she was about 4 months. I applied some teething gel then fed her and she finished her bottle! It took almost an hour to settle her back though. I didn't mind as long as she feeds ok. She'll be weighed again when we see our district nurse this Thursday for her immunisation. Will keep you posted. Thanks once again every one.

[Jill]

Thank you all! I feel a bit relieved in a way. Last night DD woke up around 2.30 making sucking noises. I knew it must be her gum. She's been sleeping through since she was about 4 months. I applied some teething gel then fed her and she finished her bottle! It took almost an hour to settle her back though. I didn't mind as long as she feeds ok. She'll be weighed again when we see our district nurse this Thursday for her immunisation. Will keep you posted. Thanks once again every one.

Thought I better update DD's progress as I said I would. DD was weighed not on that Thursday but the following Monday. She put on 300g and weighed 8.1kg. The nurse told me not to worry too much as DD's trekking alright. I wasn't surprised that DD gained the weight in just a few days' time. She must have had a growth spurt. She drank like she never drank before plus eating her solids. Maybe her gum wasn't as sore. To date, she is still teething. Her two bottom teeth have popped up but she is still in discomfort and not feeding well. I am trying oh sooooo hard not to worry. But it's been weeks and I'm just wondering when will the discomfort end? When will my DD feed as well as she used to? Thankfully at this stage she is taking her solids quite well, much better than her bottle.