Well, I weighed Olivia tonight and she's back down to 18.9 lbs. She had gotten up to 19.5 lbs before she got sick and I thought we were on our way to 20 lbs. I found these interactive growth charts from Rhys's mom and sadly, Olivia's not on the weight chart for her actual OR adjusted age. I just guessed on the length, so she may not actually be on that chart either. Kinda disheartening as I have felt that she has been eating really well lately. I'm just shooting for the 5th percentile to get us on the chart!
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9 comments:
My 'baby' is exactly the same age as Olivia. (30th Aug 07). She was not premature, in fact, she was born after much persuasion, at 41weeks. She is only 23lbs and 31 inches tall. Olivia isn't that far behind her and certainly doesn't look underweight. Please stop stressing yourself by reading the charts. I know with a micropreemie it becomes almost a compulsion, but the charts are only a guideline - and once your child's height and weight are proportionate and your child is otherwise fit, active, happy and healthy, you should be too. I can only imagine it is hard to do, given the circumstances or her birth. Not only are you contending with Olivia being your first baby, but also her prematurity. My 'baby' is my 3rd child and I am a far more relaxed mother with her than I was with number 1. You will feel so much better yourself if you can try to believe that your precious little girl is reaching all the milestones! At the age of 22 months, height and weight become secondary to her walking running jumping talking and socialising. You're doing great - don't be disappointed!
Jodi,
I am feeling your anguish. Kenny is only ALMOST 22 lbs. He is getting that weight from this stuff that the nutritionist gave us to give him...Duocal...look into it! It's a powder that we mix in his food.
Try not to worry too much about her weight. She is walking, standing and moving...so she is burning calories...the weight thing is not too much an issue...I say that because she is doing so much of everything else. Please hang in there. I think you are doing an awesome job with her. And just remember, she was born VERY, VERY early...so she will be smaller than normal. (((HUGS)))
If you need to talk...I'm here!
Does she like avacado I hear thats full of calories. I am going to try to give Avery some of that this weekend. Olivia doesnt look so small. I know people say dont worry. I also know how, although we try not to, inevitably we are always comparing and just really wanting them to excel in every area. God is taking good care of her, and so are you.
Not sure if this will make you feel better at all...but I understand your disheartening on this. Gannon was NEVER on the charts til he was 3 yrs old. Not once. Finally at his 2 yr old appt he was in the bottom 5% on height and weight, but then dropped off again 2 months later....and stayed off the chart til his 3rd bday. As you know Gannon was NOT early...just tiny. Now, finally at 4.5 yrs, he is staying on the chart. However he has lost weight since we changed him to this new diet. He is getting taller and skinnier it seems by the month. I am not looking forward to his 5 yr old check up. However, Gannon's ped always has told us to NOT worry about the "normal" growth chart. That Gannon IS growing, just on Gannon's time and HIS own chart...not the norm. And he said IF he is growing at all...no matter how large of a gain, then he is still growing and to be happy. I will keep you and Livi in our prayers :)
I can't really relate to this but I do feel for you. I didn't realize all the chart stuff and where they need to be. She looks so perfect and cute. I am sure she will catch up. When my kids were little 30 years ago we would really just follow if they were doing things at a certain age. I will pray for her to get in a higher % on those charts. (Just sent my prayers to God)
Would it help you to know that our Doctor doesn't even look at percentiles? Our doctor looks at whether or not they are growing at a steady rate. None of our kids have grown at the same rate, and I'm sure that they never will. I was barely on the growth chart until I turned 16. Olivia is healthy, happy, and growing along at her own rate. She'll gain back the weight that she lost. It always takes longer to put it back on.
Hello! I have been following your blog for quite a while and just wanted to share that I have a mini daughter! haha, that's what we call her. She was full term, born normal weight, actually she was ten days late, but anyway she was 18 pounds from age 12 mos to 21 months. Did not gain an ounce! She is now almost three and weighs 22 pounds, a pound less than my one year old son. She is always on the low end of every chart, if she even makes it. For a long time we had to talk to drs about nutrition counseling, etc. but nothing is wrong with her! She is strong and healthy, just mini! And we love her and don't mind a bit! She still wears clothes she got for her first birthday and christmas! She even still fits in some 9 mos skirts! So don't worry! I think your little olivia looks lovely and perfect!! As long as she is happy, active and healthy, you are doing a fantastic job and she is being exactly who and what god designed her to be! You have a mini daughter too!
Jodi-
I also agree that it isn't a good idea to become obsessed with the growth chart, it is afterall a guideline and I truly don't believe that it is a 100% indicator of how your child will end up after they quit growing later in life. That being said, only the parent of a micro-preemie with eating challenges can appreciate the effort it takes to get our children to eat and grow! Who ever knew babies didn't like to eat?!? Certainly I'd never seen one before my own came along. :o) For me personally it is also very hard to from comparing Rhys to my 8 month old nephew who is already cruising around the house and feeding himself, and my 4 month old cousin who is 20.5 pounds and 28 inches long. Rhys yo-yos his eating in a great way, and his weight to a smaller extent. The ONLY reason he weighs as much as he does his because we've been fortifying his milk to a great degree with cereal and higher calorie formula. The boy still hates the spoon and refuses to eat solids! I also agree that Olivia looks healthy and happy and certainly she isn't starving. Any time I get upset that Rhys isn't eating I only have to look at his fat rolls and dimples to remind myself that he IS okay. Did you ever think about contacting a nutritionist? Mine is through ECI, so if you have that service perhaps you could request one to ease any concerns you might have, or at the very least ask questions you need answer to?
My daughter wasn't born prematurely but, she is very tiny for her age. I think last visit was 5th percentile. She loses very easily when she sick too. But, I think the important thing is that she is progressing in the abilities and skills area. Not her weight. That will fluctuate. ♥
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