What is it?
Faltering growth (which used to be referred to as ‘Failure to Thrive’) is when a baby doesn’t grow at the expected rate. Babies grow very rapidly during their first 2 years. Breast fed babies tend to gain more weight during the first 2 months of life, compared to formula fed babies
After two months, the trend is reversed and formula fed babies grow at a faster rate. It’s important to remember that most babies lose some weight after birth and start to gain weight at around 2 weeks of age
It’s essential your baby gets adequate nutrition, to help them grow and develop. This is especially important for premature babies who need to catch up. Your baby’s development, particularly their brain development, may be affected if their growth falters. That’s why it’s essential to recognise faltering growth as early as possible
How is it diagnosed?
Faltering growth can be identified by regularly checking your baby’s weight to make sure they’re growing at the desired rate. This can be done by using growth charts, where your baby’s weight, length and head circumference can be plotted and their rate of growth compared to other babies of the same age and sex. The lines on growth charts are called centiles. Faltering growth can be diagnosed if your baby’s weight slips down through two centiles on a chart, or if it is consistently very low on the chart
Weight and height measurement should be taken during routine checks at 2, 3, 4 and 12- 15 months. If you are concerned about your baby’s growth, you can get them weighed more frequently, but not more than once every two weeks. Your health visitor will advise you on how often your baby should be weighed
What causes it?
There are many possible causes of faltering growth. Problems with feeding are the most common. Often a baby doesn’t take in enough calories to meet their needs for growth and development. This can happen if:
- Your baby isn’t fed often enough
- Your baby has a problem feeding and doesn’t get enough milk during each feed
- For formula fed babies, the formula milk has been prepared incorrectly, e.g. it is too diluted
- Your baby falls asleep before they’ve had enough
Some babies may not get enough calories or nutrients during the start of the weaning period, when solids are introduced
Another cause of faltering growth may be an underlying medical condition but this is very rare. Children with Coeliac disease or Cystic Fibrosis show signs of poor growth because they are unable to absorb some foods very effectively. Persistent
gastro-oesophageal reflux may also affect a baby’s growth
If you suspect your baby is suffering from faltering growth, you should discuss the matter with your midwife, health visitor or GP. They will advise you of any treatment necessary, whether you are breastfeeding or formula feeding. If you are breastfeeding, they can suggest ways of helping your baby take in more calories and nutrients. If you are formula feeding, they may prescribe a special formula. They will also monitor the progress of your baby to ensure that normal growth is regained as quickly as possible
