Help! My neice is not gaining weight

Jana - posted on 08/12/2010

i just read your update... i'm so sorry sweet heart! that is just awful. t&p are with you

Jana - posted on 08/12/2010

i would say that the drugs in her system definately had something to do with this... was she premie? that may have something to do with it too. anyway, ask your doctor for suggestions. when i used to be a nanny, i had a premie and we always added extra corn oil to his formula, if you haven't tried that, i'd give it a shot. other than that...i guess i'd say to make sure you're feeding her every 2 hours or more if she's hungry. i don't know if she's too young for duocal. we used that with the premies, added it to their formula (its basically just powdered calories). don't stress too much... keep up the good work, she'll even out eventually.

Kayla - posted on 08/12/2010

Just wanted to update everyone. I took Serenity to the doctor on Wed. and she has gained 3.5 more oz which is awesome...But we had a cps TDM meeting on the placement of her. Although she's gaining weight they're worried there might be something more to it than just that since azip said she was "Globaly Delayed". Sadly they removed her from us..Not because of anything we did but because they want her around people that are trained to look for certain things. I have not heard from anybody on where she is,how's she doing and if everything went okay. They will not tell me the city that she is in. Apparantly the caseworker gave the foster home my phone number but they have yet to contact me.. Its definately difficult to adjust to. I feel like I still hear her cry but then I remember she's not here. And her sister keeps asking for her but theres no way to explain to a 14month old that her sister is gone. I dont know how I'm going to be able to get over this depression feeling that I'm having right now. All I do is cry. Imiss her soo much.

Michelle - posted on 08/10/2010

Good!!! Finally they are doing something to help your niece.

Kayla - posted on 08/05/2010

Well Az Early Intervention came out today and she was very concerned with her spitting up and how she does not do anything a 4 month old should be able to do so she's going to send a specialist out and refer her to a gastrointenstinal (sp?) specailist. Hopefully this is what will get things on the ball.

Jessica - posted on 08/05/2010

I agree with the others that the doctor should be more concerned, but you have to realize that meth does horrible things to adults relating to weight gain... just think how much more of an effect it has on infants! Adults on meth can't gain weight, and often lose a ton of weight.

Good luck and hope she starts gaining weight soon... my son was born weighing more than her, but he is a chunk!

Michelle - posted on 08/05/2010

Glad to hear!

Jessie - posted on 08/04/2010

I'm so glad :D

Kayla - posted on 08/04/2010

Hi all! Just wanted to give an update on Serenity. She went back to the doctor today for a well check and to get more bloodwork done. She is up to 8lbs 1.5 oz so she's slowly putting on the weight. The doctor was a lot better this time. She actually took into consideration that her mother did use drugs all 9 monthso fher pregnancy and that she may just be small like her sister. We're going to make her formula a tiny bit more concentrated and see if that helps put on a little more but it seems like things are starting to look up for her.Hopefully by next week she'll have gained a lil more weight! Thanks for all the support! :)

Diana - posted on 08/01/2010

My daughter will be 5 months on 8/3 and she eats 6 1/2 oz to 7 oz every 4 hours. She weighed 12lbs. 13 oz. at her 4 mnth checkup. Her pediatrician says the amount she's eating is perfect in order for her to gain weight at the proper rate. I am an RN in the NICU and see drug addicted babies often. They are usually small babies that are poor eaters, and can be fussy and difficult at times. If your pediatrician is not concerned with your nieces weight gain (or lack there of) you need to find a new pediatrician.

Michelle - posted on 07/31/2010

Are you serious!! I thought CPS were supposed to look out for the childs best interest!! I can't believe CPS is letting this go this long your poor niece. Oh my gosh that is soo frustrating. Me as a daycare provider it has been installed in me to report anything that looks like the child I care for is being mistreated and it seems like they get on top of it right away. But it seems like for your situation they are somewhat preventing you from getting the proper care for your niece. Now something doesn't seem right. You might have to get firm with whatever doctor you end up seeing this next time if they just dismiss your worries. I would definitely demand them to look more into what is going on with your niece and don't back down. You are your nieces advocate and voice. Keep us posted.

Kayla - posted on 07/29/2010

Yeah I really do not like this new doctor at all.She is rude and I'm worried she does not have my neices best intrest in mind. But since we're dealing with CPS they will not allow me to take her anywhere else.They made me cancel my appt with my old doctor which I think would have realized that she does have a problem besides not eating. Hopefully next Wed when they run more blood work they will find something out.Thanks again for the support! It's much appreciated!

Michelle - posted on 07/28/2010

You know, I believe your instincts are telling you something. I really feel like 6 oz of formula is way too much for her little tummy. I am really concerned for your niece. Your dr doesn't seem to be on the ball so I encourage you to seek a new dr. In addition to being a mom of 5 kids I have also been a daycare provider for the past 6 yrs and everything that I have learned froom this profession is telling me that something is not right for your niece.
I can't believe the dr thinks that your niece is not being fed. I can't believe that she thinks a baby this little could hold that much formula.
I don't know, maybe I am wrong with how I am thinking but I think this dr is wrong. I so hope you can get some answers soon. Definitely keep us posted on how she is doing.

Kayla - posted on 07/28/2010

Well my doctor has not seen her since her two month check up.We had no idea she was losing weight because just a month ago at her WIC appt she had gained almost a pound and her little legs looked like they were getting bigger but I guess not.I asked the doctor about how much she was eating too because I think its a little too much on her because she's always spitting up but she said to keep her eating the same. I think I'm just going to have to take her to another hospital since this new doctor thinks that she's just not being fed..Thats not the case.Something is wrong.

Michelle - posted on 07/28/2010

I can't believe this dr isn't concern! Your little niece seems to be extremely underweight and she should never be losing weight. I know that my dr would be saying that and she would be extremely worried about your niece. I'm so glad to hear you took her to the hospital. Also glad to hear the caseworker is concern too. Maybe now you will get some answers and help for your little niece. I don't know, if it were me I would be finding a different dr for her. I noticed that you were saying that you were feeding her 6 oz every 3 hrs and that may be too much for her little body. She may only be able to handle about 3 oz every 2 hours. My son who is 5 mo's old weighs around 20 lbs, eats only 4 oz every 2 to 3 hrs. Granted, I know every child is different, but it seems your niece has been through a lot and just may not be ready for that much formula. It sounds like your little niece is a fighter. I don't know, I think for 4 mo's she should be weighing at the very least 10 lbs to 12 lbs not a newborn weight. That is very concerning. Maybe the caseworkers can direct you to a different clinic who will care better for your niece. I hope you will get some answers soon.

Kayla - posted on 07/26/2010

Well I ended up taking her into the Indian Hospital today because she has a pretty bad cough and they ended up doing blood work on her since she has actually lost weight.She now weighs 7lbs 8oz and thats waayy too tiny. They also did xrays on her chest to see if she has an infection and they said she has a bronchiol virus and her blood work came back and her white blood cell count is high,obvisouly trying to fight off this virus and her liver blood count was high..which could be from the virus or could be the source of why she's not gaining weight.I have to chart her meals and take her back on Wed and our caseworker is going to come with us.Hopefully we'll get answers soon. Thanks for all the advice! :) I will keep you all updated

Melissa - posted on 07/26/2010

What I ended up going on is the Enfamil Gentlease along with the cereal in the bottle maybe if your doctor allows see if she will eat some baby food. I put the cereal in the bottle too and it does reduce the spitup compared to when I put nothing in the bottle. I hope that helps. Try Enfamil it is wonderful and more gentle on their tummies.

Kayla - posted on 07/25/2010

Thanks so much. I talked to my doctor the last time and he just wasnt concerned..maybe because she was only 2 months but both of our caseworkers are worried too. Her sister is very little as well, 14 months an only 17lbs but she eats like crazy. To Aubrey..I feed her 6 oz every 3 hrs.If I feed her more than 6 oz she spits up so much and she will not eat every 2 hrs I have tried. I'm hoping the doctor will be able to give more advice at her check up next week.

Michelle - posted on 07/21/2010

I agree with Kristy. You need to talk to your dr about what you should be giving your niece. Especially since there might be the issue of Meth involved. Even if there wasn't and your baby was having problems gaining weight it is important to talk to your dr about what you should do to help your baby gain weight. I had problems with my 2nd child from when he was 9mo to 12 mos he did not gain any weight. He weighed 16 lbs that whole entire time. My dr started getting concerned too. Then he finally gained a lbs after he turned a yr old. (my current baby (5th) is 5 mos old and weighs probably over 18 lbs) Now my 2nd child is 6 yrs old and we may be having weight issues again. He weighed 38 lbs since last yr at his 5 yr check up. My 3rd kid just turned 5 and he weighs 40 lbs, and my 4th kid will be 3 yrs old and he weighs 36 lbs. So kids can still have issues with weight, but I always consult with my dr on if there is something that I should be doing. Most of the time you find out that your child is fine just may be on the small side. But always best to talk to your dr. Hope you will be able to find out what's going on with your niece.

Kristy - posted on 07/20/2010

I am not sure a change in her diet is good without your doctor clearing it, only because of the meth issue.Working in the medical field I can tell you that addictive drugs can (can) cause stomach growth problems, even liver. I am not saying she is not healthy, it just might be safer to go through your dr. I've taken care of an 8mon old addicted to cocaine. The 8 month old was the size of my son when my son was 1 months. His esophagus was soo bad that he was fed through a tube to his stomach. I would ask your dr, just to be safe, dr's usually prefer a baby to double their weight before solids, only because of the development on their digestive track (its been known to cause... issues) Everbaby s different tho..She's real pretty by the way

Kimberly - posted on 07/20/2010

Perhaps a change in formula is necessary...My baby started gaining a ton of weight when I started him on Similac Advance.

Aubrey - posted on 07/20/2010

Wow, I thought my little girl was small at 10.4lbs and 21 1/4 inches long. How often do you feed her? When my daughter wasn't putting on weight the ped. told me to feed her every 2 hours, or even every hour if she wants it. I have always been a schedule person with feeding my kids but not every 2 hours. Sometimes she doesn't even want her milk every 2 hours but I keep trying and after maybe 15 minutes she will finaly eat all her milk. How much is she eating in a day?