Cerebral Pirates & Princesses: Going Back to Baby Food

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Going Back to Baby Food

Mia has hardly eaten this past month. She refuses most foods, including sweets (sometimes I will try and give her something sweet just to see if she will eat it). She does drink about 32 ounces of pediasure a day. She can eat.As a baby she ate pretty well but she didn't gain a lot of weight. She would eat a couple of jars of baby food at one time without a problem. Over the past month she just won't eat. She is so skinny already that I worry about her not getting enough calories. She has therapy 7 times a week so she needs the energy!
Yesterday I broke down and bough baby food. I know baby food is pretty low in calories, but I am trying to get some balance in her meals (veggies, meat, fruit). She will eat yogurt and sometimes will eat spoonfuls of peanut butter. I am not sure why she is reverting back to only pureed foods. I am in the process of switching her pediatrician so I have yet to talk to her ped about this. I did mention it to the OT, but she didn't have a lot to offer on this topic. Mia has almost all of her teeth. When the food aversion first started I blammed it on her new molars that were coming in, but they are in now.
I don't think she has any swallowing issues as she used to eat. Am I doing her an injustice by going back to baby food?

7 comments:

Amy said...: I don't think the baby food could hurt her. But, like you, I think the calories are low. I just wonder if she might me having some reflux going on. That happens to us when Emma has reflux bouts. It is like she doesn't want to eat. Is she on anything for reflux or has she ever been tested for it. With Prevacid, probiotics and digestive enzymes, we seem to have beaten a lot of those feeding problems lately. Just a thought.; July 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Tara said...: Amy,I do not know a lot about reflux so please exuse my ignorance when it comes to this topic. Mia hasn't ever had reflux before, is it possible to just develop it? In fact, when Mia was a baby I think she only spit up twice. Now, that you mention the reflux thing I am very curious if that could be it. She has been gagging a lot lately (randomly usually not during feedings). Tonight in the car she started to gag and when we got home I noticed she threw up (or spit up). Would her ped be able to do some testing to see if it is reflux? Thanks!; July 11, 2008 at 12:37 AM
* ~ *Jessica* ~ * said...: Hey Tara- meant to reply to this yesterday but, after all h*ll broke loose at our house, it just didn't happen.

We've gone back and forth with Logen. Not recently, but at Mia's age. Our OT has had extensive training in feeding therapy. She is just as skilled, if not more so that our speech. We do feeding therapy a few times a week and have been doing so since Logen was about 9 months old. It wcould be that she's developed sensory aversions to textures in her mouth. Not unusual with CP kids.
To add calories to baby food, we would add infant cereal to some, sugar to the fruit (1 tbsp added like 15 cals, I think), melted butter adds several calories. We feed him pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese (WAY mashed up) I pureed the crapola out of food, bacon grease to green beans, made a white cream sauce for peas- and pureed. There are several little tricks you can do to add calories. Just be careful with it. Our orignal OT added to much at one time and Logen stopped eating altogether. And, you don't want that! We've done carnation instant breakfast-- our ped said it was the poor mans pediasure. We put it in Logen's milk. I don't mix it according to the pkg instructions though- that's to much for Logen and he won't drink it that way.
Keep us updated! I think you are doing just fine feeding Mia what she will eat :)

Note: Parker makes himself throw up for fun in the car, or anywhere for that matter. He's had an OT eval b/c I'm Mrs Paranoid Mom here and came in 1 point to high to qualify. He's just got a few sensory issues, his fine motor stuff came in high!; July 11, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Amy said...: Tara,
I do think it is possible to get it later. Reflux can be silent too, meaning they don't have to spit up to have some juices coming back up the throat.

It may not be that, but maybe.

I know two kiddos who didn't get a dx for this until age 6.; July 11, 2008 at 11:00 AM
KPKoze said...: I don't think you're doing her an injustice. Honestly, she's just sounding like a TYPICAL 2 year old!!!! A lot of 2 year olds get picky or slow down. Do what you need to in order to get the right amount in her. And don't worry if it doesn't seem enough... their growth slows down at about 2 years, so they just stop eating as much (CP or typical). I think giving her what she WILL eat right now is a good thing. Slowly reintroduce other things and keep her calories up. You know what you're doing better than anyone ;-); July 11, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Tara said...: Oh, I am wondering if it might be reflux. I actually read up on it earlier today (after reading Amy's comment) and I saw the silent reflux. It has me concerned, especially since Mia is FTT.
Of course I hope she is being a picky toddler. I am going to try and do the pureed foods and get her at least eating and talk to her ped and see what he things. Boy, if it's not one thing it's another!! Thanks for the help ladies.; July 12, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Amy said...: Tara,
I am so sorry, and I hope that I didn't make you worry. But, reflux is no biggy if you get some meds and get it under control. It is minor compared to the othe junk we have to deal with. I am sorry if I have caused you any stress. It's just that for some reason reflux is so common in all kids these days, CP kids and typical kids too. It is true too that she could just be at that crazy age of 2 when they start to show their opinions more. Picky eating is very common too. Good luck!!! Keep us updated.; July 12, 2008 at 11:28 PM