Question

I have a 9-month-old baby boy. From birth to 6 months he was in the 35th to 50th percentile. At 9 months, he is now in the 5th to 10th percentile range. He is walking, waving, and clapping, so his motor skills are on target and even above average. He doesn't like to take the time to eat very much, although he does eat. Should I be concerned that he is so tiny?

Answer

It sounds as if your child has made the shift we expect to see in the first year, going from a weight that reflected birth weight and intrauterine conditions to a weight more like his genetic predisposition. Are his parents short? Do they come from a small family? The important part of weight assessment is to see if the length and weight are proportional or matched.

If they are, I'm more reassured. If he's scrawny for his length, we need to look at things more carefully. At this age he should be having about 32 to 40oz. of formula daily, plus a variety of strained vegetables, fruits. and cereal twice a day. Finger foods should be started and juice limited to 4 oz. a day.

He's due for a 9-month check-up, so use that visit to look at the whole Picture with your health care provider: family background, diet, activity and development and the other measurements of growth, length and head circumference. Be frank with your provider about your concerns for growth so you can get the answers that are likely to be reassuring or a plan for help if there are concerns.