"Failure to Thrive." Wow, that label (given to Miss B by the medical community for only weighing 19lbs 1 oz,) makes me feel like a Failure as a Mom. As a SAHM, there are many things in my job description, but the #1 thing is to take care of my kids.
*sigh* The real problem is that B is in the 75th percentile for her height, but has dropped off the bottom of the chart for weight. If she were short and light, then they'd just call her a petite girl, but she's tall and light, giving her a BMI of 13.5, and that is the crux of the matter.
Three- make that Four- things could be contributors.
#1 Still no teeth. She does well gumming everything, but it limits her in what she can eat. When things are hard or too chewy, she gets frustrated and just stops eating (I've really noticed this in the past week.)
#2 She's been walking.... no, running since she was 10 months old. She's already got her Toddler Body, which the charts don't take into consideration.
#3 The girl never stops. Unless she's sleeping she's in motion- even when El-bo (Elmo) is on tv.
#4 She's never been a great eater. When nursing she had a five minute time limit, and she was done. Not that I minded that much back then- it kept me from feeling excluded, even when I needed to seclude us for breastfeeding- we were never gone that long.
I forgot! #5- Her uncle (on the Hubby's side) was a skinny freakazoid when he was younger, so that gives her "family history" of being skinny-minis.
We have some recommendations for increasing her caloric intake (adding powdered milk to everything, french toast instead of regular toast for breakfast, adding butter to all her veggies, etc.) Thank goodness for an aunt who is a dietician!
I'm trying hard not to blame myself. I've always taken the "what you eat, is what you eat" approach. (As has been recommended to me by the lactation consultant, the pediatrician, and others from the beginning.) I can't force food down her throat, and I can't be happy/upset when she eats a lot/a little. And I don't want her to only like deep fried, sugary, fatty foods. I want her to like fresh veggies and fruits. But, for a while you can bet that everything that she DOES eat, is going to have some additive in order to increase the caloric intake!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
+2.jpg)
oh girl *HUGS* The label is scary... but when I think of B, I DEFINITELY do not think of a kid who is not thriving!! She's happy and bubbly and smart and loved.
ReplyDeleteAll of the contributing reasons you listed are right on, I think. I cannot believe she still doesn't have any teeth! Does the dr think the weight/failure to thrive thing might be related to why she doesn't have teeth? or the fact that she has no teeth is related to the weight thing? or both?
Just keep doing all you can... if she's like Maggie, she'll be a picky eater for a while, which will make things harder for you to get food in her! Good luck :) :)
Thanks for the support! :)
ReplyDeleteWe got all of her blood/urinalysis tests back today, and everything looks great. She's just super busy + not a great eater. The pediatrician wants to see in in 5wks in order to get another weight/height check, to see if she's gaining anything. (In ~5 wks we should be seeing the dr anyways for Bito, so no big deal!) The funny thing is, her appt was at 8:40am, and in just her diaper she weighed 19lbs 1oz. When we went back late in the day, the nurse didn't know exactly why we were there and ended up weighing her again (this time in her clothes) and she weighed 19lbs 15oz. Now, don't tell me a t-shirt and stretchy pants is almost a pound of clothes! So, I think the timing could have something to do with it too. (Note to self: make all of B's appointments immediately after lunch!!!) :)
I hadn't thought of the food intake = no teeth, just the other way around. But, the pediatrician wasn't even phased when I mentioned still no teeth. I think if she gets to 18months and no teeth, I'll MAKE him pay attention. :) My uncle, who's a dentist, isn't concerned either, so I guess I shouldn't be either...
Yeah, she's ALWAYS been a picky eater, so hopefully we're already in that stage and it doesn't get worse! :)
I'm so sorry to hear this... I would trade her and take on the low weight problem, and give her MY baby chub, if I could. ;) Seriously though, it's not something you're doing or not doing - so don't let the label seem a bigger deal than it is. (Of course, that's not to say I wouldn't feel the exact same way, because I totally would.) B is a beautiful healthy little girl. You're a great mom and you're going to help her in every way you can, and I'm sure with time she will start to catch up. In the mean time just try to stay positive. She's very loved and that's number one for any child. :) Good luck! (And good luck in these last few weeks with Bito also!!)
ReplyDelete