I called the nurse at our GI doc to give her a weight update today. I was really happy to see that Gracie is back up to 14lbs. Not bad for just a few days after all of the trials over the weekend, and unfortified, no less! She was glad too, but informed me in hushed tones that the doctor (who has yet to contact me herself) was not happy about Gracie losing a half a pound this month..... I'm sorry- did I just hear a "slap!"? Yes, I'm sure I just had my wrist slapped over the phone! I argued that she only lost weight because we tried (pretty aggressively) to avoid tube use during the day for the past two weekends so we would know how Gracie would react. She's not just haphazardly losing weight. So we are tentatively "allowed" to continue this regimented schedule (see previous entry) with plain breast milk until Tuesday when I am to call in with another weight update. If the powers that be are not pleased, we will need to fortify my milk with something or other again. Sigh.....
We are prisoners of the tube and there is no exit strategy.....and I live in the desert....this scenario is becoming uncomfortably akin to an international issue. Now, as Gracie's mom, I am the last person who wants to see her losing weight. I totally understand the importance of feeding the brain during these crucial first months of development. But what about the fact that after a child turns one, the incidents of tube dependency and oral aversion sky rocket? I talked to another mom with a 15 month old who's hunger instinct had been "killed" after a year "on the tube". Um, I'm sorry, WHAT?!?!?
So I will play their game for now, but this warrior mom has a plan of her own! If we continue to encounter this lack of support, strategy and answers, then I will be taking my daughter elsewhere. We have an appointment with the actual GI doc on the 27th. Until then, I will continue to to battle it out with that darn NG tube and the growth curve, because Gracie is more than a number on a chart!
We are prisoners of the tube and there is no exit strategy.....and I live in the desert....this scenario is becoming uncomfortably akin to an international issue. Now, as Gracie's mom, I am the last person who wants to see her losing weight. I totally understand the importance of feeding the brain during these crucial first months of development. But what about the fact that after a child turns one, the incidents of tube dependency and oral aversion sky rocket? I talked to another mom with a 15 month old who's hunger instinct had been "killed" after a year "on the tube". Um, I'm sorry, WHAT?!?!?
So I will play their game for now, but this warrior mom has a plan of her own! If we continue to encounter this lack of support, strategy and answers, then I will be taking my daughter elsewhere. We have an appointment with the actual GI doc on the 27th. Until then, I will continue to to battle it out with that darn NG tube and the growth curve, because Gracie is more than a number on a chart!