Looking for support.. and a question for FTT moms **UPDATE

brandywk · #1 June 13th, 2012, 05:14 PM

Hi my name is Brandy and my daughter Emmalyn has not been labled FTT yet.. but I'm worried that her doctor will any day now

She's almost 3 months old and is only gaining about 2oz a week. Since birth she has been EBF, and at about 2 weeks I cut dairy out because she started showing signs of possible milk protien allergy. For about a month now she's had wattery poops just about everyday. Her last weigh in (monday) she was 9lbs 6oz. At this point her doctors want to me to try exclusive FF with progestimil. If still no improvment Neocate formula.
I've been down this road before with my last child. I had to give up bf and use Neocate for 12 months. However even then he stayed in the bottom 3% for a long time! So I'm weary to give up on breastfeeding as a way to fix her slow weight gain.
QUESTION for you gals... My doc told me that brain development is the biggest worry for a child not staying on a weight gain curve or staying below the 3%.. however my last child did and is just fine. I'm tempted to just stop taking her to doc appts and just bf her naturally.. but would I be putting her in danger? Does anyone else here have a small baby/child and is just fine.

i3ai3ydanny · #2 June 14th, 2012, 04:53 PM

Did your last child do the exact same thing? How are they growth wise and are they avoiding any foods? Do they have any other health problems? I would be very leary about not going to docs at all but I also wouldn't go from EBF to ***... I would try eliminating a lot more foods before trying formula. I would start with milk, soy, anything spicy or citrus, onions, asparagus, caffeine, etc. Maybe try calling La Leche League as well and see if they have any suggestions. Poor growth can also indicate poor brain development because if they aren't growing there is most likely something else going on. If her body is putting all its energy into growing then her body will not put as much energy into brain development. :/ What they said is 100% accurate but that doesn't mean that you should stop bfing.

brandywk · #3 June 18th, 2012, 03:25 PM

I'm gonna try eliminating more foods this week! My doctor has order Neocate formula so I will suppliment with that while we're trying to figure this all out. We're also going to see a GI doc to see if they have any other ideas.
DS#2 who had trouble w/ growth and tummy pains was put on the same formula but continued to gain poorly until he was about 1yr. He's not isn't allergic to anything now.. nor am I for sure he ever had allergies.

i3ai3ydanny · #4 June 20th, 2012, 06:11 PM

If your newest LO is following the EXACT same pattern as your older one then I would be comfortable holding off if your older one has no true issues and just grows in a manner that the charts say is "abnormal." If it is different at all I would consult and dig a bit more though.

brandywk · #5 July 18th, 2012, 10:58 PM

Saw the ped Gi specialist. This is what we found out...
She is 0% for length 21.5 inchest
6% for weight 10lbs 10oz
But get this... she is 80% for weight for length
So she is not considered FTT. She's just doesn't weight much because she so short! What a load off my shoulders!!
The doc did watch her eat a bottle and noted that she shows classic signs of reflux so she perscribed zantac and also carafate to make her feel better. Hopefully now she will eat more at a time. Right now she is avg about 3 oz at each feed (about 20 a day) and needs to get up to atleast 30oz.
Doc labled her having breastmilk colitis (from cows milk protien passed down to her). Advised that if I am to continue breast feeding that I need to cut out ALL dairy, not just the major dairy. This really sucks! I'm thining I may msg her and ask if there is a test to find out forsure if she truley is allergic to dairy.. or any other foods. I mean aren't they concerned about other protiens!!?? If I'm gonna go through the trouble of getting all of this out of my diet (which is proving very hard!) then I would like some proof!!
OK rant over! I know I should be happy that she is thriving, and I am. I just wish this whole breastfeeding was easier!!

i3ai3ydanny · #6 July 19th, 2012, 02:15 PM

The best proof with a child as young as she is unfortunately is how she responds to the elimination diet. Testing is very inaccurate under a year and often doesn't show positive even if there is a direct GI intolerance with it. Have they looked into her growth hormones? With her height at the 0% I would ask to be referred to an endocrinologist to make sure that her body is making and using growth hormones correctly.