Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: Pregnancy Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Babies: 9 - 12 Months

Sort:
11-01-2012 at 9:55 PM
arcook0307
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-26-2011
627 Posts
6,258 Points
arcook0307 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 9:22 PMBronze

DD too small, CPS called. Fed up...please help

We moved in May when DD was almost 5 months old.  She was born at 7lb 9oz but since then has been deemed a small/petite baby in general, not plumping up like most babies I see.  We went to her 6 month appt. here in our new town where I expressed concern about her size/weight.  The doctor said as long as she was gaining, she was fine.  Well, I switched doctors (due to what I thought was poor care/judgement) and she saw someone new for her 9 month check up who diagnosed her with "failure to thrive".  I expressed concern over her slow weight gain at this appt. too.  He decided to refer us to a developmental specialist since Tricare did not cover a nutritionist, which was where he first wanted to send us.  The developmental specialist showed me how DD was in the 50th percentile when born but has since gone to the 3rd percentile in weight for a 10 month old.  By LAW he has to call child protective services due to this.  I get it but it was very upsetting you feel like you could be so ignorant in feeding your child that you caused her not to gain weight....

 I breastfeed and before this appt. she was also eating a lot of solids.  Every one that knows us always comments on how she is always eating.  In the last week since all the doctor's appts, I've realized my milk supply seems to have decreased drastically.  I started supplementing with formula last week (to help her gain weight) and she is only breast feeding a total of 20-30 min a day and taking 15-17oz of formula and not really much solid food at all.  I'm worried she's not getting enough food yet after she drinks 5 oz of formula, her tummy is so tight and she has spit up 3-4 times from being so darn full.  I feel like she isn't eating what most babies her age eat and that she should be eating more.  

I'm so frustrated.  I don't want to overfeed her but there seem to be no set guidelines for what to feed a child her age.  Please help....

 

 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-01-2012 at 10:02 PM
lageorgiap...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-29-2011
5,051 Posts
12,188 Points
lageorgiapaperie is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 1:18 AMSilver

http://www.theaccidentalwallflower.com/2012/10/11-month-olds-eating-schedule.html

I recently did a blog about DS's eating habits. He is a little older than your DD but he's been on this schedule for a while now. Just this week I replaced his afternoon bottle with about 8oz. of WCM though, so now he just gets 8oz of formula a day. DS is in the 50th % for weight, 90th % for height.

HTH, and good luck with your DD, hope she starts gaining weight! 

{~*Lindsey*~}
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
My blog:
TheAccidentalWallflower.com
BFP: 3.28.11 Dx w/ PIH @ 24w DS Born @ 36w: 11.7.11 6 Days in NICU Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-01-2012 at 10:09 PM
buddrfly42...
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-06-2011
273 Posts
4,541 Points
buddrfly421 is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 11:38 AMNewbie
I know how you feel! We are dealing with something similar. DS is small for his age...he goes between the 5th percentile and the 10th usually. He eats a TON, and breastfeeds, and we give him WCM a couple times a day. He has never lost weight, but they always treat us like he isnt being fed. I am guessing you are also military since you have tri care? (DH is in the Army...so we get to deal with those lovely military doctors ;) ) I know DS is healthy, he has always gained weight (even if its just small amounts), and he hits all his milestones so I am not worried. We go to weight check ups every 2-4 weeks which is a pain, but like I said I try not to stress over it anymore. I just think its weird that according to my doctor there is no such thing as a small baby. You can PM if you ever need to vent or anything! 
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-01-2012 at 10:13 PM
arcook0307
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-26-2011
627 Posts
6,258 Points
arcook0307 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 9:22 PMBronze

Thank you for the blog post.  I really like your blog! :)

 And yes, we are military.  I forgot to mention she is only 14 pounds at 10 months if that helps any.  

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 3:22 AM
MesmrEwe
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-22-2002
Woodbury
4,100 Posts
19,047 Points
MesmrEwe is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 2:22 PMSilver

So much of the time things like this bug the H out of me because "mandatory reporting" then the HELL that CPS puts parents through just out of assumption is uncalled for and undo stress!  DS had a freak accident his first day home from the hospital and we went through this with CPS.  Here's hoping instead of blaming you they realize that some babies are just more efficient with what their intake is!!

As long as you know that you're feeding your LO as much as they'll take in that's all you can do.  As for the hard tummy, you might want to try a different formula to one of the sensitive options.  It's not as easily digested as BM but at least with DS it was easier on him and he had far less spitup. 

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 8:51 AM
ellimac608
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-16-2008
44 Posts
120 Points
ellimac608 is not online. Last active: 12-16-2012, 8:44 PMNewbie
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with CPS. My mom told me all her babies were small and that she had to be put on WIC. My dad is French and she tried to tell them that's why and that it was not from lack of feeding us. She saved my baby book and at 10 months I was 14lbs 6oz and 26.5 in. (My DD was 20 lbs at 10 months! She is almost 1, and she eats about 18 oz formula and maybe 10-12oz food) I'm sure you are feeding her enough...my parents also joked that my sisters and I didn't like to eat very much when we were younger and now we are perfectly healthy adults. Hang in there! I'm sure that if CPS does investigate, they will see that you are a great mommy and doing everything you can.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 9:11 AM
Jen0204
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-02-2011
4,115 Posts
53,620 Points
Jen0204 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 9:53 PMSilver

You can't really compare what your daughter eats to other babies her age because she needs to gain weight.  15-17oz of formula a day isn't a lot (from what little research I've done it seems like 18oz is the minimum), but you also don't know how much she's getting from breastfeeding.  I don't know anything about TriCare, but do they cover lactation consultants?  If you go to see one they could weigh your LO before and after a feeding to help figure out how much she's getting from nursing, and they could help you increase your supply. 

My girls were preemies and have always been on the small side, and until recently their size and how much they were eating was always a huge concern for me.  I'm so sorry that your previous doctors didn't have their act together.  There is no way that you should be getting a diagnosis of failure to thrive now when you've been expressing concern about her size all along and have been given no guidance - that makes me so angry for you!  I agree with others that a sensitive formula might help, but also keep in mind that it could take her body some time to adjust to having formula and to adjust to drinking until full if there was previously an issue with your supply.  It sounds like before she was eating solids to get full, and now she's filling up on formula instead, which could be good and help her gain weight.  And if your supply is poor and BFing is adding additional stress for you don't feel guilty about stopping - do whatever you need to in order to help her gain weight and make you feel better, whether it's exclusively FFing or BFing and supplementing.

Is this doctor one that you trust?  I would definitely call him for guidance on how much she should be eating and if it's okay that she's not really eating solids now.  What is the plan going forward?  Do you have appointments for weight checks scheduled?  In the beginning we were at the doctor every week for weight checks.  Going weekly allowed us to come up with a game plan and see quickly if it was working or not, make adjustments, and move forward.

Good luck!

Lilypie Second Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 9:19 AM
HilarityEn...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-29-2012
9,237 Posts
138,223 Points
HilarityEnsued is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 8:23 PMGold
arcook0307:

I'm so frustrated.  I don't want to overfeed her but there seem to be no set guidelines for what to feed a child her age.  Please help....

Absolutely do not worry about overfeeding.  The pedi has made it very clear with me.  You feed them until they decide they are done eating.  Let them stop, and provide as much food as they want to eat.  Now that they are more mobile/active, they are burning calories as well. 

DS eats about 25-30 ounces of formula a day.  He also eats a jar of Stage 3 breakfast food from Earth's best, and then some table food.  Honestly, the actual amount of table food he takes in is not a lot.  For lunch he'll have 1 to 1.5 jars of Stage 2 foods (or 1 to 1.5 pouches) and then as much of the table food that we're eating as he wants.  Again, this doesn't end up being a ton.  Then he has a table-food snack (which can include puffs, yogurt melts, wagon wheels, or mum-mums) mid-afternoon.  Then he has dinner about 1.5 hours before bed.  Usually this is half a jar of puree and then some table food.  Yesterday that consisted of turkey lasagna.  Again, I think he actually consumed maybe 2 tablespoons of table food.

DS is in the 25%ile for weight and 75%ile for height since birth.  The doctor was clear with me last time that it's important to feed them regularly, but try to concentrate on making sure they get 3 meals, 1-2 snacks (between meals), and at least 24 ounces of formula a day.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 10:13 AM
PrimRoseMa...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-13-2012
12,126 Posts
175,848 Points
PrimRoseMama is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:19 PMGold

CPS frightens me, and the mandatory reporting thing is equally frightening. DD was born at 6lbs 11oz. She is still small but has been consistent in her weight gain. I'm sorry you are going through this.

I would see if she will eat some fortifying solids like avocados, greek yogurt, bananas. DD is a cheese eating monster. So see if she'll take cheese. She may just have a high metabolism. DD always seems to be eating too. Snack snack snack. 

I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope the CPS investigation is over quickly. 

Lilypie Second Birthday tickersLilypie Pregnancy tickers
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 10:48 AM
Leap08
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-15-2008
Boise, ID
3,263 Posts
8,573 Points
Leap08 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 6:04 PMSilver
My oldest daughter has always been a light weight. She was 5lbs 6oz at birth. At 1 year she weighed just under 19lbs. At nearly 3, she's about 28lbs. And she's always been relatively tall - usually around the 80%. Most of the time she's stayed on her own growth curve, but at one point she dropped a few weight percentiles and was at about the 8%. I thank God for our wonderful doctor who never really showed concern about it. He actually calmed me down and convinced me to stop worrying. We did talk about how we could boost her caloric intake. I started giving her more fats as solids - things like avocados, greek yogurts, cheese. I also use generous amounts of olive oil when cooking, and will put a generous amount of butter on toast or waffles. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I think there is only so much you can do. You can't force a baby to eat. Don't be too hard on yourself. Some kids/babies are just small.
Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 11:09 AM
Rosebud258...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-19-2011
1,043 Posts
5,599 Points
Rosebud2587 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 8:37 PMBronze
arcook0307:

Thank you for the blog post.  I really like your blog! :)

 And yes, we are military.  I forgot to mention she is only 14 pounds at 10 months if that helps any.  


I had a post similar to this a few months ago. We are also military and also have a petite baby. DD isn't even on the charts. She's 11.5 months and 15 lbs. We are supposed to do monthly weigh ins but I never go. I know my daughter is healthy and thriving she's just a very active baby. She started walking before 9 months. I still nurse her about 8x/day (including night feedings) and I make sure to feed her foods such as full fat yogurt, avocados, tofu, etc to make sure she gets healthy fat/calories and protein.  We haven't had CPS called on us but maybe that's because I refuse to go to the monthly weigh ins... 
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
I'm a proud breast feeding, bed sharing, baby wearing, vaccinating momma!

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 12:23 PM
superpregn...
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-21-2011
36 Posts
645 Points
superpregnant is not online. Last active: 05-07-2013, 11:50 AMNewbie

I don't have any advice but just wanted to tell you that I support you and I hope you get through this!, I wish this Dr's where more empathetic with parents and apply more of the common sense and actively listen to the parents instead on focusing of following their stupid charts which only cause more stress to parents, everybody is different, and they should lean more towards that than anything,

 Sending my prayers to you and your DD!

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 2:53 PM
rlyttle
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-02-2007
Indiana
1,887 Posts
5,652 Points
rlyttle is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 3:02 PMBronze

Can you start offering more snacks in between her large meals? Try stuff with high fat/calories. 

-avocados

-yogurt

-cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Anniversary Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 6:59 PM
kali55
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-22-2011
2,278 Posts
22,814 Points
kali55 is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 4:32 PMSilver

Wow, I am so sorry you are going through this.  Talk about stressful!

I agree with PP about offering cheese and avocado. 
The Force is strong with this one
Image and video hosting by TinyPic AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers
My Ovulation Chart
My Blog 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-02-2012 at 9:06 PM
jburdet1
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-21-2009
1,626 Posts
7,418 Points
jburdet1 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 9:33 PMBronze

I second not to worry about overfeeding. DD was ebf until 2 months and then continued to receive bm until 3 months. At her 2 month appt, DD was only 8 lbs and her birth weight was 7 lbs. Once I began supplementing, she began growing and since then has been in the high 90's for both length and weight.

DD drinks about 20 oz of formula a day, eats about 25 oz of baby food, a handful of puffs, and eats bits of DH and my food throughout the day.

I'm sure I may be overfeeding, but I'm comfortable feeding DD on demand.

I would try to increase DD's formula intake if she isn't interested in solids yet. My DD just began really eating solids well, and before that she was drinking 35-40 oz of formula. However, I would still keep offering the solids and allow her to taste what you're eating.

GL!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-03-2012 at 1:12 PM
octbride12...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-20-2005
493 Posts
1,483 Points
octbride1234 is not online. Last active: 05-11-2013, 4:12 PMNewbie

So sorry you are going through this.  I agree with some of the others, I would try to increase the amount of formula she is getting at each feeding, start off with adding an extra ounce and see how she does.  I personally see no harm in giving her up to 8-9oz at a time if she will take it.  Also, if you are worried she is not getting enough food after she drinks,try waiting an hour after each bottle before giving her solids.  Some higher calorie/fat/protein snacks: Avocado with bananas, sweet potatoes, soft cooked beans & edamame, orzo pasta, cheese, whole milk baby yogurt, eggs, sometimes I would put baby cereal like Barley in her veggie or fruit purees just to make it a little more filling too, I would make a quick version of bread pudding, in a bowl put a slice of bread without the crust, warm formula or  warm milk and some cinnamon and mash it up, sometimes I would add a mashed banana too, they loved eating that. ....   good luck!!  
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-04-2012 at 12:10 PM
sassyfirec...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-27-2009
73 Posts
543 Points
sassyfirechick is not online. Last active: 02-19-2013, 7:54 PMNewbie

I would say if she's spitting up the formula she either can't handle dairy and feeding more will do her no good, or her stomache just isnt' that big so feeding more per meal, well, will do no good!  Frequent small meals are better in the long run for any baby.  My daughter was opposite in weight gain - up til 6mos she was off the charts at 99% and up, but since then hasn't gained as much weight, just slow and steady and lots of height.  She's turning a yr and is 23lb and something like 28".  People will always criticize.  I HATED being told I had a chubby baby - talk about starting kids early on self esteem and weight!  Chances are your LO will just be petite.  Offer her lots of foods, or if you're worried she can't eat enough at once leave out a snack tray for her that she can get to when ever she's hungry and remind her it is there if she gets wrapped up playing.

Healthy fats: avocado, nuts, coconut oil, flax seeds, tofu, salmon
Anniversary Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
11-05-2012 at 1:49 PM
AshPal61
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-27-2009
New Jersey
8,642 Posts
39,680 Points
AshPal61 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 3:27 PMGold

I didn't read the other responses, so forgive me if anyone else has said this:

DD1 was always like this...almost didn't even make it onto the growth charts some months. 

For a while the pedi even had us adding an extra scoop of formula to her bottles for the extra calories.  (so I would put 3 scoops into either 4 or 5 oz of water)

Has your pedi suggested anything like that?

With DD, it even continued as she ate more solids, went off formula, etc.  We saw a nutritionist, had every blood test imaginable, etc. 

Some kids are just small/pettite. I know it must kill you that CPS was called, but if it's standard protocol, try not to be offended by it.  You voiced your concerns several times.  It's clearly nothing you did wrong. 

(Now that DD1's older we can give her Carnation Instant Breakfast or Pediasure, which seems to help her put on weight)

AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board