"Hey everyone!
Well, I am thrilled to tell you that since I began this discussion on 11/25, Gracie has gained 10 oz!! Tube free!!! Thanks to a faster flow nipple and a little Duocal, we are getting there!
So that's the great news, but I am STILL coming up against opposition- this time from our paed :( I just got back from our nine month check up today. I was SO excited to share our victorious news. Our paed, who has been so great and supportive in the past, saw only the fact that Gracie's weight is still off the CDC growth chart (down 5%). However, her height is in the 25-25% and her head circumference is 50-75%. Developmentally, she is spot on (as per our OT). My spirit was just so dashed. She did have some helpful suggestions such as some yummy, high calorie smoothie recipes. So I do appreciate that, but I guess I should have been more prepared with a copy of the WHO growth charts (which she is ON!), videos of Gracie playing and happily eating, and a good bottle of wine for the doc! You all told me so! ;) Oy. I guess I just thought my main battle would be with the GI, so this was a bit unanticipated. Markus, are you shaking your head? ;)
They did check her hemoglobin and her iron is a little low. Yikers. So we are getting some vitamin/iron drops and I am considering starting to introduce some formula as Gracie is still on breast milk. I just read that low iron can = poor appetite, especially with solids. Do you guys know anything about this? Her weight had plateaued at 6 months and I now wonder if this may have been suppressing her appetite?
Also, Gracie had started to take more volume but then recently has not been as interested in her bottle. We noticed that she was rubbing and holding her right ear, but the doc says there is no infection. Maybe teething? We are just so worried that this will set us back. In my mind, the feeding tube is off the table as an option any longer. But the doctors feel differently. Am I being too wildly optimistic? Or is it just time for a whole new medical team? Which I admit, is overwhelming to me.
Thanks for listening! Any comments would be appreciated :)"