Weight Gain for Infant

It sounds like he is perfectly normal. My youngest was always on the smaller side, but the docs were never concerned since she was always consistent in her growth. She will be 2 next month and is only 22 pounds--and she eats like a teenage boy! Please don't add an extra scoop of formula to the bottle. You can offer a bigger bottle or more stage 1 foods, but keep the formula consistency the directed amount.

At 9 months old, formula should still be your baby's main source of nutrition, NOT SOLIDS. At 9 months old he is too young for you to call him a "picky eater" because he should still only be testing and tasting small amounts (an ounce or two) of new pureed foods and having occasional fruit, veggie, or cereal. Solid food right now is only for practice for learning to chew, not for nutrition. He should be getting formula first at meals, then solids after he's finished with his formula.

Never EVER add extra formula powder to a bottle of formula. Mix it exactly according to directions. If you want him to have a couple of extra ounces of formula here and there, try mixing an ounce that's already mixed up, in with some cereal or cereal and fruit. My girls used to enjoy oatmeal mixed with formula and apple sauce or pear sauce or banana or squash or carrot.

Do NOT give your 9 month old Pediasure or Boost. Formula is enough.

16.5 pounds at only 9 months old is perfectly healthy. He's a big boy, actually. Don't worry about him putting on weight because he's fine at his weight. Your pediatrician will tell you if his weight is worrisome.

Edit: Your son at 9 months old should be getting between 24-to-32 ounces of formula within a 24 hour period. Any solid food he gets should be in addition to that, and is only supplemental.

My oldest son was small (just barely 18# at 1 year) and my youngest is not much bigger (he weighed in at 19# at one year). I cannot remember what either weighed at 9 months, but I do know that at 4 months, my oldest weighed 10#. The doctors always seemed so worried about his weight and had us start him on solids at 4 months (only if he could eat the cereal with a spoon and not choke--they said that we should NEVER add cereal to his milk, although I know people do, but he was BF anyway). At around 7 months, he went on a nursing strike and really only ate solids for a week, or so. Today, he is still small. he is nearly 5 and weighs 31 pounds. I am not that worried and the doctors seem less worried about it now. If small is the worst health problem he has, I'll take it! I guess my point is that as long as he seems healthy and happy, there are worse things than being a small kid. I probably would not bother with PediaSure, but I am sure that your pediatrician can tell you whether or not it is okay. Good luck to you!

You must keep in mind, a fat baby is not always a healthy baby. Not all people or children are meant to be large.

Never, add an extra scoop of Formula into his bottle.
It is TOO concentrated.
A baby's kidney's CANNOT handle/process that concentration. It can overload the kidney's.
Always put the water in the bottle first, then the scoop(s) of Formula.
That is the proper ratio.

Also, he may be cutting back on his bottles, if solids is the predominant intake.
Offer the bottle, BEFORE solids. Not after, otherwise he will be too full for his bottle.

For the 1st year of life, breastmilk or Formula is a baby's primary source of nutrition. NOT solids and not other liquids. And to give baby this, before solids. Otherwise, a baby will 'wean' from breast or bottle.

If you push the solids more, he will not take his bottles.

Does your Pediatrician, say he has to gain weight?
Or not?
If not, then don't worry.

My son had to be started on solids at 3 months because formula wasn't enough for him. Feed him more baby food if he is hungry and give him a bottle when he wants that. You child will let you know what is working best for them and if he still isn't gaining any weight then talk to your pedi. He is at a good weight for his age though so don't stress about it too much.

My daughter was 7lbs 15oz at birth. At her 9mo check up, she was just barely 16lbs. I think she was 16lbs, 5oz. Her dr. wasn't at all concerned with it. As long as they are appearing satisfied after feedings, I wouldn't worry about it. I would just stay with the feeding measurements. Like others said babies don't have to be large to be healthy! If he's still hungry, you will know. If not, don't worry. He will grow at his own pace!

As long as your pediatrician thinks your child's weight is fine there is no need to worry about his weight! Did his bottle consumption decrease alot after starting solids? At this point formula or BM is their main source of nutrients, not solids which is just to get them used to new tastes and textures. Check with your doctor, but I would say no pediasure is necessary and do not add more formula to the water! This extra concentration of powder to liquid puts a heavier burden on his little system ! Again call your doctor!

My 8 month old is 18.1 lbs as of Tuesday. We however started on food at 3 months due to a spitting up problem. We take our normal formula and mix it with cereal and then take that and mix it with a fruit or veggie. We then use the rest of the bottle after all of the food is gone. Currently we do food 3-4 times a day and about 4-5 4 oz bottles a day.

I would recommend not worrying about the weight issue. Babies gain weight at their own pace and as long as he is developing, he's fine. The dr. will let you know if there's a medical issue. If not, his stature is not one yet that you can determine. As long as he is eating until he's full, let that be enough.

Ask your pediatrician!