Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Any tips for packing on the pounds?

Obviously, Jake & I don't need any additional weight. Nathan, on the other hand, has his doctors all up in arms about getting him to grow. Monday night, Hollie from Kids Who Count, came and weighed Nathan.

Here are the stats:

Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz.
Height: 26 1/2 inches
Head: 44 cm

Hollie chatted with me about Nathan's growth and about other health problems Nathan has been having over this past month. The prelone (steroid) to open up Nathan's windpipe did wonders. However, after his 3 day spurt of meds, he did great for a few days and then things have gone back to where they were. I want to throw my hands up in the air and give up sometimes. Nathan gained a whopping 5 oz this month and has dropped to the first percentile. Hollie said to me, "Aren't you concerned about his growth?" as if it wasn't fazing me at all. I don't know what's up; I just sometimes get the feeling lately from the doctors and others that they think I'm neglecting Nathan. I'm going to be making a phone call to go in and see Dr. Bennett again soon.

Any suggestions or tips for packing on the pounds?

8 comments:

Christina said...

Avocados. They are high in calories and are "good" fats.

A friend of mine who was trying to get her son to put on weight so he could get his g-tube out would give him a piece of cheese cake everyday (she would buy the big ones at Costco). It worked for them, I don't know if Nathan would be up for that though...

Good Luck!
Hugs & Prayers,
Christina from IHH
momma to Jacob

Tiffany said...

Is he on formula? If so what kind? I know that you can get the kind that has added rice. We had Allie on it for a while. It helped alot. But I do know that babies eat when they are hungry and wont eat more than they want. I do know of a lady whos daughter was only 20 lbs at 2 years and they had her on pediasure. Maybe you could try that!!

TTYL

Tiffany

Tiffany said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janice said...

I don't know what you could feed him that would pack on the pounds, but I do know that you are not neglecting your baby! If Nathan is anything like his cousins, I'm sure a few pieces of chocolate/cookies/cheese would help. At least he's gaining and not loosing!!

Tina:0) said...

If the medical professionals are so concerned with him gaining weight, have they given you any suggestions? I know that our daughter had some trouble gaining weight in the beginning & she was tube fed. She had everything from increased calories in her formula by making it more concentrated, to even adding a glucose additive to increase her calories (polycose). Maybe those are some options to try?! Hope he can meet their expectations... I'm SURE he's exceeding your!! And BTW - you're NOT neglecting your baby!! He looks like he's very well cared for to me!

Tina & Nevaeh
http://nevaehkaylenewalp.blogspot.com/

Dan & Calli Ellinger said...

I think that Nathan looks like he is a healthy weight. Kylan weighs about 18.5 lbs and he is 13 months old. When I took him for his year old check up he wasn't even 1% for his weight. The doctor thought he looked fine and didn't seemed concerned. If he doesn't gain more weight at 15 months then they will put him on a high calorie drink. Don't stess too much, I think your doing a great job!

Kathleen said...

You are NOT neglecting Nathan! You're a great mom. As for packing on the pounds I am the expert although I don't think my methods will work for Nathan right now...unless the dr's give the OK to feed him chocolate milkshakes through the tube.

Sunshine Marketing said...

How many feeding issues we all have between all of our heart kids? Thatcher is still an odd eater. He really wants to eat all day long. He just started sleeping through the night last week, yes he is 14 months old. I started him on WHOLE, Lactose Free milk in mid september, trying to fatten him for winter. He still wasnt sleeping through the night. I really think that is because of his digestion and he is not getting enough calories. So I started putting 1 scoop of Alimentum in his night time bottle and 1/2 teaspoon of Acidophilis in his 6:00am bottle. ITS WORKING! the extra calories help him to sleep and the acidophilis ALLOWS him to sleep. Hoorah!
Hey- about TOTS (trick or treat street) It really is for the younger kids, NOT scary at all. Just the right amount of dark, but more cute than scary. My 5 year old has been going for 3 years and he loves it. I will find out about discount tickets...e mail me at Tami.Acord@hotmail.com so I have your e mail and I will let you know where they are.