he is 16 months old and only weighs 18 lbs and 12 oz. I give him cereal , baby food, real mashed bananas. he was born 6 weeks preemie at 5lbs 13oz. but has not been able to gain much weight, I've tried everything i can think of does anyone have any advice. we are currently tring him with pediasure he seems to be tolerating it . he doesn't digest soy or yogurt at all well and hes not able to eat people food yet.
He is gonna be scheduled to see a GI , but he isn't lactose intolerant he just can't handle certain foods. he was bottle fed breast milk cause his muscles were developed enough to do that. I'll try adding olive to his meals and keep up whit the pediasure to see what happens. We are scheduled to do a metabolic panel , so hopefully we'll get some answers there.his docs are pushign for weight gai cause they say hes now fallen off their charts in terms of weight. thanks for all advice
My gut says protien shakes ... but he is too young as far as I know ... so my Head says find a pediatric nutritionist...
http://local.yahoo.com/results?p=pediatric+nutritionist&a...
I second Page with the avocados. My son was 1lb1oz when he was born, so we really had to add calories to his food. Some people suggested adding butter or other fatty things, but I wanted him to get good calories. In our diet crazed society, it's hard to find high calorie foods, but it can be done. We do pediasure as well - great stuff! I would also recommend a nutritionist, as well.
Also, you say he doesn't digest soy or yogurt well. Is he lactose intolerant, or have any other digestive issues? Perhaps he is not absorbing the calories that he is taking in, causing the lack of weight gain.
If there are no medical problems, he is behaving like a normal 16 month old, and he is getting a well-rounded diet, I wouldn't worry too much. At his age and weight, he hasn't fallen off the growth chart, and perhaps he's just a lean little guy! My DS is in the 3rd percentile, but he's following the curve, which is the most important. As long as there's not a sharp decline all of a sudden, I wouldn't worry. Good luck!
My 2nd son had the same issue. Our pediatrician actually suggested I put a little butter in his veggies. He is 15 now and still a bean pole, eats whatever he wants as much as he wants, much to his sister's chagrin. He's a healthy guy though!
Hi S.! I am in your same boat. My son is almost 14 months, and 18 lbs....but not a preemie. We have had him tested from both a GI dr and endocrinologist. He did fine at the endo...but had some minor issues from the GI testing. He did test positive, at one point, for blood in his stool. He also tested positive for susceptibility to digestive disorders. Additionally he got moderate results from a celiac panel, so we need to get him retested in a few months. Per the advice of our GI dr, we are seeing a geneticist, just to make sure all is well. He has tiny little legs and a teeny tiny behind. When I meet with the drs, I let them know I am not interested in going gung ho with testing...but just want to rule out any major possibilities as to why he is not gaining like the rest of his peers (or growing in height like his peers). It gets frustrating, I know, when people ask his age and then go...."oh, he is so cute and tiny". I did meet with a nutritionist, so I will pass along that advice. Look at the fat content in the food you give him. We are very healthy eaters..but sadly there is no fat in fruit and veggies. The nutritionist had me add avocado oil to his baby food. I would put a teaspoon in each meal. 1 tablespoon has 14 grams of fat! You can use any oil..I felt comfortable with avocado. We are vegetarians, but I do feed him baby chicken for the fat content as well. My son, like yours, can not tolerate soy either. Have you taken your son to a GI doctor? If he is not able to yet eat table food, I would definitely want to get that checked out. It seemed to take my son longer than other babies his age to eat table food..he gagged very easily..but now he eats primarily table food. We also do the pediasure as well. You know, with all this said, my son is still just chugging along at his own curve. It may be only at the 2.4 percentile...but he follows it! So, at the end of the day, I don't even feel like it is making a difference if he eats all this or not. I go through cycles of really pushing him, then I end up feeling like he will eat what he is hungry for, and that he is the perfect size for him. Good luck...I know how it feels!
is your dr telling you to have him gain weight? the only reason i'm asking is because my daughter was full term and weighed 5lbs 15oz at birth. and she was at the same size as your little one when she was his age. she's now six and just weighs 40lbs, my niece who is 3 weighs more than she does. it could just be how he will gain weight. but anyways, my cousin had a little boy born with some digestion issues, etc. and to have him gain weight they gave him a "shake" of rice cereal, formula, (or pediasure), a little bit of peanut butter, and banana mashed up, and then put it in a blender and fed him. it was approved by all of the specialists that he was seeing and he was seeing a lot of them.
Hi S.,
I know as a parent we always want our children to be at the top of all the charts, but every child is different. My daughter weighed 22 lbs at 25 months old and my friends son weighs 28 lbs at 3 1/2 !!! And he is perfectly healthy. Don't stress yourself- your son is fine as long he is getting nutrience don't worry about the weight.
What does your pediatrician recommend? You can also consult with Publ;c Health department if your doctor and/health insurance doesn't support you. Meanwhile, take it easy. If your baby is happy and consuming calories, he will grow. It's tough being a Momma; but we get through it.
Blessings, S.
all babies gain weight differently he is alittle young to be stressing about this. he is eating plenty. he will gain weight when he is supposed to and may go to fat from underweight. all kids bounce on the wieght scale my oldest went from a bean pole to a balloon at about 8. he has stayed heavy ever since. my littlest is just heavy he is thinning out now but he is still upper 95% on his weight and he is not fat. relax mom it will come in time
I was just questioning why a 16 mo old would be eating baby food which does not have that many calories. He should be self feeding all regular foods. Go to a pediatric nutritionist and stay away from processed foods like Pediasure. It is junk! You can get yogurt that is made with coconut milk called SO Delicious.
I tried not to worry, but It is happening the same thing to me. My son was 9 pounds when he was born, even thought that he was not increasing his size like my older son. Now, he is 23 months and his perfect size is 18 months, and his weight is around 23 pounds. The doctor says he is perfect, the only thing that I have to asume is that he is a petite boy.
Regarding the food, I saw that if I was feeding him with cereal, afterwards he didn't want to eat because he was to full. So I give him plain milk, and after a while he is hungry looking for bananas, outmeal, plantain with cheese, and so on.
I know that it is difficult not to worry, that is why regarless what the doctor says i keep checking him in his physical and mental development.
My daughter was born early too, at 36 wks and is in the 10th percental for wieght but is small so her doctor isnt worried. We are all small in my family and she is healthy. She eats pretty much anything she can get her hands and alot. If your doctor isnt saying something is wrong dont worry about. I know a 3yr that still has to sit backwards cause she doesnt weight enough. She has been on the wieght chart for years but a great eater.
Why cant he eat people food yet? Is he having digustion problems? Try oatmeal, mashed potatoes, jarred baby food.
Essential fatty acids, find a Standard Process doc close to you, and get his nutrition handled.
Check with WestonPrice.com, they have chapters in different areas, and that will also help you.
Did you nurse him? If not- use Simplexity bifidus.
Need any more info, ask.
best, k
Yams?
Yellow squash?
Hard-boiled egg yolks mushed up with a little water?
Avocado?
