Hellobee Boards

@brownie: A pediatrician friend recommend that if you're concerned about a nut allergy, you can give your child peanut butter while you're waiting in the lobby of your doctor's office for your next doctor's appointment.

That way, if they have an adverse reaction then you are at the right place to get treatment!

@brownie: it sounds like he is eating a lot! is your doctor concerned about his weight gain? if he hasn't doubled his birth weight yet, he must be on the small side, but it sounds like he eats way better than charlie ever has (at 26 months).

@brownie: You can request that your doctor test your LO's blood to see if he's allergic to milk, eggs, nuts, soy, etc. They don't usually do it before 1 year because babies outgrow things so quickly but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I got my LO tested at 1 year and thank goodness I did before I gave her peanut butter cause she's severely allergic to Peanuts and other nuts (and soy, milk, garlic, wheat,...the list goes on).

I agree with @MrBee, it sounds like your LO is eating well. Just because he's in the 5th percentile doesn't really say anything other than he's smaller than other kids. Somebody's got to be in the lower percentiles, just like somebody's got to be in the super high percentiles. According to this site, your baby at 10 mos needs less than 900 calories a day (roughly 40 calories X height).
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/toddler/feeding_your_toddler.html

BTW, I used to puree cooked quinoa (highest source of plant-based protein) and sneak it into my LO's applesauce. It tastes different but she ate it anyways.

Not concerned that he's in a low percentile, but definitely would be a bit concerned that his percentile is dropping over time even though he has a healthy appetite.

That's great that you tested him for celiac... have you checked for other possible biological problems like CF? That can cause weight loss even with a large appetite. Once you're able to rule out the main sources of failure to thrive, then maybe it just is that your LO isn't gaining weight but that it's nothing to really worry about!

Please note: I am not a doctor and am not giving medical advice! I just worry about Charlie's weight gain, and this is all stuff I've been Googling a bunch lately. In Charlie's case though, he just doesn't eat solids that well so I think it's just his fickle tastebuds!

@brownie: Wow, sounds like great news!

How is he doing on hitting milestones?

@brownie: sounds like you're doing everything you possibly can!!

I would keep researching failure to thrive... but I'm just paranoid, so I'm probably not the best person to ask!!

@brownie: sounds like you are doing really well and need to give yourself more credit.

I'll take the opposite position on the consistent dropping in percentiles, my ped advised us that if we had two months in a row where there wasn't a weight gain in the first year, we'd have to see a pediatric dietician. The peds here don't advise on issues wrt to food, we have a separate consulting service for that, not sure if you have options to see someone that specializes in infant eating.

I don't love my ped, BUT he's a fantastic doctor with a terrible bedside manner. If he wasn't supportive when we had an issue, I'd go to the ends of the earth to find another doctor that could give me some concrete advise and a plan, because no one on the internet, no matter how many children they have or what experience they site would be a substitute for the advice of a doctor (to me). I don't have a lot of choice where I live, but I find it hard to believe that in the US, there aren't other options for a ped.

Also, have you looked at the ingredients in the chicken nuggets? I'd be worried about the soybean oil that's involved in making those. I'd also be worried about cross contamination from other things using either soy powder or milk derived ingredients manufactured in the plants. Fast food would be the absolute last thing I would feed a child that has as severe food issues as your son, honestly.

If you're needing to breastfeed to get him to get calories, can you take some time off using the sick leave days to care for other family members to stay at home and nurse around the clock? At my old employer, we had 8 days a year to use for care related to other family members and there was a woman with an infant that had feeding issues and she used this time to nurse him up during the day for a week.

I know this post won't make me the most popular person on the boards, but I'd tell you this if you were a friend in real life, so I hope you're not offended.

@brownie: aah, I see...when you wrote "happy meal" I assumed it was fast food from mcdonalds.

@brownie: ah you sound just like me with the laundry list of specialists and having to travel to shop at specific store like whole foods.

Regarding the lamb, Ifound it locally from an organic farmer by Word of mouth. I would not be able to purchase it locally. I have heard of people finding it at trader joes but we do notbhbe one here.. Turned out it being something my son could not tolerate anyway but I know many who it has worked wonders for. again just my personal experiences and I would always consult a doctor before teing something I felt needed consultation.

@mrbee: That's a great tip. How young did they say your LO could be?