Yesterday’s weigh-in with the pediatrician did not go as well as we had hoped. In the six weeks since the start of Operation Chubbs, Levi has only gained 4oz. According to his doctor, this isn’t necessarily bad news but it isn’t great either. The positive is that Levi didn’t lose any weight. Unfortunately, his Paula Deen-approved diet didn’t seem to pack on the pounds. That may have been my fault. Apparently, I was being too conservative with the amount of butter I was melting into his food.
And so we begin Operation Butter Overload. Levi will basically be consuming butter soup, with a dollop of vegetables or fruit swirled in. He’ll also be eating and nursing more frequently throughout the day. This is no longer about trying to get the baby on a feeding schedule. Our goal is to fatten him up quickly.
The pediatrician would like to test Levi for a number of conditions that could explain why his weight has plateaued. If they all come back negative, we’ll know that he’s just a skinny kid. And that would be just fine! I don’t want to think about the alternatives.
The doctor obviously does not believe there is anything life threatening with Levi because he told us that we can wait until his 9 month check-up to see if his weight starts to climb again. But JB and I have decided to have the tests done now. We just can’t wait six more weeks to find out if Levi is healthy or not. Sometime this week we’ll collect some stool and take him to Children’s Hospital to have blood work done.
You’ve probably already figured this out about me: I worry. And not just in a “new mom” sort of way, although right now, Levi’s health is my primary concern. I am sick to my stomach with fear that something is wrong with him. Friends reassuringly tell me that he’s just a thin baby, that he’s perfectly fine, but they are not medical professionals. Even the pediatrician is not 100% sure.
I’m trying desperately hard to stay positive, but being a “glass half full” type of person is not in my DNA. I tend to imagine worst case scenarios in every situation. So I just keep repeating to myself, “He’s OK. He’s just skinny. He will be fine.”
Because he will be. Right?
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Sending you and Levi lots of good vibes, prayers, juujuu, etc. I am a CRAZY worrier (for example, I don’t even want to think about the hours I wasted googling “microencephaly” after finding out that my newborn had a head circumference below the 5th percentile), so I feel for you. I’m sure everything will be fine — the fact that your pediatrician thought the testing could wait should be very reassuring. Hang in there, mama!
Thank you! We gratefully accept all of your good vibes, prayers and juujuu!
I sooo feel you PJ! I would be totally stressed and am such a worrier anyway. I would do the tests too. I wouldn’t be able to wait and would wnt to know one way or the other. Fingers crossed he’s just a peanut baby! Big Hugs and all that! Keep us posted!
Thanks, Erin! As much as I want to know the results, I’m equally nervous and kinda want to put off having the tests done. Ugh…
As I posted previously my two children were exactly the same. We also went as far as doing blood work and everything was perfect. Some of us just have thin kids. I know that that will be the case with you as well. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
It’s reassuring to know that somebody else went through what we’re experiencing. I hope that we have the same perfect results! Thanks for thinking of us.
I can only believe it’s all fine! I think I’ve mentioned that I have a skinny baby, too. She’s 7.5 months old and still wears Size 1 diapers. Was in the 6% for her weight at her 6-month check up. The doctor didn’t even bat an eyelash about it, so we haven’t been worried. Just how skinny is your kid? I am thinking, if I’m not worried about mine, you don’t need to be worried about yours. 🙂
Thinking about you and Levi!
thank you xo
Hugs and prayers!
thank you! and wishing you lots of relaxation…