Alana got her length measured it was 25 1/2 inches long. She was 25 inches at her last appointment. I wasn't terribly concerned and I knew the doctor wouldn't be either, because I remember Madison & Bradon doing the same thing. They would grow a lot some months and slow down in others, but it all equaled out. The concern started when she got on the scales. 12 lbs? I couldn't believe it. She was 12 lbs at her last appointment. She hadn't gained any weight over the last 2 months. That couldn't be right.
The doctor came in and was concerned about the weight gain. She is in the 90th percentile for height and the 10th percentile for weight. We all knew she was skinny, but contributed it to her being so long. The doctor couldn't really believe it at first, so he had her get weighed again on a second scale. Still 12lbs.
He said there is a long list of items that could cause her not to gain weight. He asked a whole bunch of routine questions and I suddenly felt like I was on trial. He reassured me that it wasn't our fault and he wasn't questioning our parenting abilities, but I did feel like I had let her down. Why hadn't I noticed? He said that the long list gets considerable shorter when he sees a happy, glowing, long, non-jaundice, no tongue swelling, developmentally ahead baby. He didn't go into the list today. Which I'm somewhat happy about, but then again it really just leaves me to worry.
He gave me a new calorie regimen to start her on. I had to stop breastfeeding her awhile back because of her having lactose issues. She had lost weight due to those issues, but had shot right back up when we started her on soy formula. He gave us a new "recipe" to follow when making her bottles and he said that it would double, if not triple her calorie intake. I'm also keeping a food diary, along with keeping track of wet and dirty diapers. He then wants us to follow up on Feb. 28th to do a weight check. If she hasn't gained any weight or not much weight then we will look at other causes of the problem. If she gains weight it may just mean she has a really high metabolism rate and needs a more calorie rich diet.
For now she is eating what we are calling a "baby protein shakes" every bottle. She is having some issues adjusting. We've had some spit up issues and gas, but the doctor said she should get over that in a couple of days. And he also said that some of that could be contributed to vaccines.
Our focus needs to be getting her to gain weight and hopefully we will get good news at her next appointment.
"We Are Going to Pump You Up"
~ Amanda
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