This whole percentage thing is really bizarre. 2%?? At the very age when most babies level
off or even drop percentiles anyway? My first thought is in line with everyone else--evaluate for
normalcy!! When weight is the only issue presented (unless it is dramatic--this is not),
then I look for why this might be a normal healthy baby, while keeping my ears and eyes open
for any valid cause for concern. As others mentioned, genetic predispositon, milestones,
appearance, happy, thriving baby? Well, then follow the advice for nutrient-dense solids,
bc it 's good advice for all humans, not just starving ones. Pediasure is NOT nutrient-dense
by any means. It is garbage--synthetic vitamins, junk food at its worst. Nor is the standard
cow milk products in every variety nutrient-dense food. So, coconut milk, coconut oil,
avaocado, sweet potatos,organic animal products if they use them,raw almond butter--real food.
If the baby indeed poses cause for concern such as developmental delays, skin conditions,
reflux, history of infrequent stooling patterns, sleep problems (I do not mean baby should
"sleep through the night!, but really disturbed sleep indicates nutritional deficiency or
a friable nervous system), poor appearance, reliance of high allergen solid foods or even
just poor quality solids, mom with gut damage or indications of nutrient deficiency in mom
(I do not believe that mothers with poor nutritional profile grown healthy babies--they grow
babies who survive), undiagnosed tongue-tie, behavioural issues such as history of colic,
then I might consider that allergies or some other cause of nutritional deficiency is indeed
an issue. It really doesn't take long to get a handle on babies who are struggling with allergies
--the signs are usually quite evident when you look for them. Or if there is a history of
birth trauma, I would refer for bodywork. With allergies, I would, too.
Either way, all the advice has been bad. Really, really bad. And frankly, that is what needs
to be clear. Because she has a right to good advice.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, France
Intuitive Parenting Network, LLC
I am hoping the wisest women I know will have some insight. Permission to post.
I have been working with this mother for over a year. Her baby is 14 months old and still breastfeeding well. There has never been a problem breastfeeding. However, this baby has struggled gaining weight. Mom has been given varying opinions from physicians, most related to stopping breastfeeding. For the first 10 months she stayed at the 4%. Then, she dropped to the 2%. This was enough for the ped to refer to a gastro-specialist. Her appointment was yesterday. She is now 17 lb. 4 oz.
She first met with a dietitian who gave her the usual information on increasing calorie-dense foods, which she had been doing. Then, she told mom to limit breastfeeding to after snacks and meals, while eliminating a nursing session every five days until weaned.
The doctor then ordered only Pediasure, breastmilk, and water to be given, eliminating milk and juices as they are less calorie-dense.
This mother has no intention of refusing breastfeeding. She is proud of what she has accomplished.
My concern is with this very low weight gain and drop in percentage, is any Pediasure warranted? I am not a dietitian, and cannot give feeding instructions, but this goes against everything I know to be normal. Have any of you wise women worked with a baby like this? How can we get her to gain without introducing formula and removing breastmilk?
Thank you,
Melanie Thurber
WIC BF Peer Counselor, CLC, IBCLC hopeful
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