Weighty matters
I took Little Miss Giant to her six-month pediatrician visit on Wednesday, where it was confirmed she was still indeed a giant -- 27.25 inches, which is greater than the 95th percentile. Get your 2028 WNBA tickets now!
But -- and you knew with this kid there had to be a but -- she's not gaining enough weight. She only weighed 13 pounds 11 ounces and her doctor said he would have liked to see her weigh 14.5 to even consider having her cry it out at night. The CIO no longer concerns me, since clearly she needs the calories, but the lack of weight-gain is kind of troubling.
At her four-month appointment, Emmie weighed 12 pounds 2 ounces, giving her a whopping gain of just over one-and-a-half pounds in two months. This, combined with her milk protein intolerance, got us a referral to a pediatric GI specialist. Our doctor said he's not concerned yet, but he wants to rule out any problems. He also wants to see her back in a month for a weight check.
At first, I pooh-poohed the issue. She's a totally happy baby, only cries when she's tired and is meeting her milestones at or ahead of time. She even waved at the doctor, which he said was advanced because it's a nine-month skill. Sure, she's the crappiest sleeper ever, but I am convinced her caloric intake goes to making herself taller, not making herself chubbier.
He also said they wouldn't worry unless her head stopped growing, and her head circumference stayed right on her curve in the 50th percentile.
Today, my degree from the Google School of Medicine starting kicking in. She wakes multiple times during the night. She eats frequently overnight, oh about six or seven times, but who's counting? She does crunches. She really likes sleeping in her swing. We hold her a lot. She has a milk protein intolerance. She's not gaining weight like she should.
Holy crap -- those are all symptoms of silent reflux. Suddenly the heavens parted and the light shone down upon me and I felt a moment of being one with the universe. I think Emmie has silent reflux. She very rarely spits up. She eats a lot, but spends a lot of time pulling off the breast. Combined with all of the above, it's pretty good match.
So this morning I called my pediatrician and reported my suspicions. When I presented my case to him, he said it did sound like it could be silent reflux. He prescribed her Zantac, twice a day and we'll see if it makes any difference. If it does, and she gains weight and starts sleeping better, awesome. If nothing changes, we've ruled it out and still have an appointment with the GI doctor.
Or, as Josh said the other day, maybe she's buying into the media messages and is trying to keep her slim figure via an eating disorder.
But -- and you knew with this kid there had to be a but -- she's not gaining enough weight. She only weighed 13 pounds 11 ounces and her doctor said he would have liked to see her weigh 14.5 to even consider having her cry it out at night. The CIO no longer concerns me, since clearly she needs the calories, but the lack of weight-gain is kind of troubling.
At her four-month appointment, Emmie weighed 12 pounds 2 ounces, giving her a whopping gain of just over one-and-a-half pounds in two months. This, combined with her milk protein intolerance, got us a referral to a pediatric GI specialist. Our doctor said he's not concerned yet, but he wants to rule out any problems. He also wants to see her back in a month for a weight check.
At first, I pooh-poohed the issue. She's a totally happy baby, only cries when she's tired and is meeting her milestones at or ahead of time. She even waved at the doctor, which he said was advanced because it's a nine-month skill. Sure, she's the crappiest sleeper ever, but I am convinced her caloric intake goes to making herself taller, not making herself chubbier.
He also said they wouldn't worry unless her head stopped growing, and her head circumference stayed right on her curve in the 50th percentile.
Today, my degree from the Google School of Medicine starting kicking in. She wakes multiple times during the night. She eats frequently overnight, oh about six or seven times, but who's counting? She does crunches. She really likes sleeping in her swing. We hold her a lot. She has a milk protein intolerance. She's not gaining weight like she should.
Holy crap -- those are all symptoms of silent reflux. Suddenly the heavens parted and the light shone down upon me and I felt a moment of being one with the universe. I think Emmie has silent reflux. She very rarely spits up. She eats a lot, but spends a lot of time pulling off the breast. Combined with all of the above, it's pretty good match.
So this morning I called my pediatrician and reported my suspicions. When I presented my case to him, he said it did sound like it could be silent reflux. He prescribed her Zantac, twice a day and we'll see if it makes any difference. If it does, and she gains weight and starts sleeping better, awesome. If nothing changes, we've ruled it out and still have an appointment with the GI doctor.
Or, as Josh said the other day, maybe she's buying into the media messages and is trying to keep her slim figure via an eating disorder.
posted by Amy at
11:02 AM
5 Comments:
Ugh. I'm banging my head against the wall for you. Been there, done that. I hope it's silent reflux and with a bit of Zantac she's packing on the pounds!
Been there, done that too... I hope the Zantac works for you...I had significant nighttime issues with my youngest son and it was all because of reflux. He ended up on prilosec and reglan because it was so bad. Only then did he start sleeping (and even then he was STILL waking up three times a night) in his crib. He slept in his swing for months.
little miss giant will catch up on her weight I'm sure. Hopefully adding solids will make a difference, and fixing her reflux if that's the problem.
If it makes you feel any better, my sister and I were both always skinny minis--I was always in the 5th percentile, and my sister was always thereabouts, too. Until very recently (like within the last 2 years or so). We're both in our mid-20s now.
My oldest had the non-silent reflux. Ah, good times (eye roll)! Josh was prescribed liquid Zantac, which tastes very much like NyQuil. Strangely, Josh didn't seem to notice the bitter, repugnant taste. I worried about giving my infant medication that tasted the way nail polish remover smells and quizzed the doctor about whether the Zantac might stunt his growth, slow his development, cause him to grow a third arm, etc. In the end, I freaked out, worried, bit my nails, called upon every saint I thought may be amenable to my cause...and then gave him the dose.
I am happy to report that Josh is now four, off the charts in height and weight, on schedule or advanced with his development, and has no third arm buds developing.
Hang in there!
Your daughter is beautiful, by the way!
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