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Subject:
From:
Leslie Ward <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 7 Feb 2001 13:24:11 -0600
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Marsha,
   I know that this is not exactly what information you wanted, but from
personal experience of two children with 'slow weight gain' (also blamed on
breastfeeding) here goes.

My second swg child was born on the 75th percentile and by 9 months fell off
the charts. Having been through the situation with her older brother [he
just dropped to the 5th percentile though], I was more prepared for the
onslaught against breastfeeding. She was on line with all other
developmental milestones, just small. As the Dr. (I think he was a FP)
geared up for referrals and testing, I pointed out, that 1) we'd been there
before with her brother, 2) that she by all other measures was doing fine
and 3)my mantra through both - I weighed 15 lbs at one year and my husband
weighed 18 lbs so I didn't think her 16 lbs was all that bad.

In reviewing records, this Dr. discovered my son had been mischarted. He
compared both charts and realized that both grew, consistantly and evenly -
just along their own lines, if you will. He commented to me, that that was
most important - consistant, even growth - no matter how small or weirdly
placed.

We settled on more frequent weigh ins. I even volunteered to bring her in
weekly just to avoid referrals and testing, so he understood I was being
cooperative and wanted to work with him. And he recommended 1 bottle of
formula a day (just to be sure). I assured him until the next checkup, that
indeed she was getting 1 bottle a day (not that it was formula every time).

This child continued to remain below the charts although amazing healthy
until she was about 9 when her height shot up. She was still way low on the
weight, until I read (here on LactNet) about zinc supplements improving
appetite. After just one bottle of chewable zinc tabs, her weight caught up
to where now, at 12 she is just 5 pounds from being even on both
height/weight lines (although still only between 5th and 10th percentile).

She has grown exactly as I did as a child (another reason I wasn't worried).
I did not catch up to where I 'should' have been until my senior year in
high school. My growth pattern was always attributed to poor health and a
rough start in life. My daughter, with a similar pattern and no health
issues has shown me, it was more genetics than anything else. I was formula
fed and she was completely breastfed until 1 year when she got that 1 bottle
a day (just to be sure) for a few weeks. In my case, obviously, formula did
not help add weight or contribute to a better growth pattern.

I realize that with an IUGR baby, there might be other issues, but as her
health seems fine, her development seems fine, I have to ask - if it ain't
broke why fix it? If she is growing, steadily - is there a reason to worry?

Or was I just lucky and foolish enough to believe that breastfeeding wasn't
at fault? (Tongue firmly in cheek)

To add to this one last thing, re: Jessica's response to extended bf causing
homosexuality. My response to everyone about this child's smallness and the
implication by a number of people that by breastfeeding I was 'causing' it -
"God made her just the right size for what he intended her to do in her
life" - once I started responding that way, most people stopped the comments
on her size.

Leslie Ward
Fort Hood, TX

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