Tuesday, November 2, 2010

OK...Need High Calorie Food Ideas...REALLY BADLY

Hope has managed to lose weight this month.  Almost 1/2 a pound.  She is back in the 15 pound range when she had hit 16 pounds already.  I was totally amazed and very sad this morning when her home health nurse came.  I really need some ideas.  I am doing everything I can think of to get extra calories in her.  I make oatmeal with milk instead of water.  I put butter on just about everything.  She is drinking Pediasure, although not as much as she was formula. 

I am so afraid they are going to want to put an NG back in to get her to gain and I am totally opposed to that idea.  She eats really well and loves food and I think that would be a step backwards.

HELP!!!

11 comments:

  1. I know how frustrating this is. :( Aly struggles too. :( One thing that surprised me was when we went to Aly's cardio after two months and she had only gained 4 ounces, he was happy with it. He said he expects that once babies become more mobile their weight gain will slow as they are burning more calories. Talk to your card and ped, she might be at the same point.
    Good luck!!

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  2. We have the same problem with Marlee! She is finally in the 11th percentile for weight. She loves peanut butter and jelly (with real fruit spread) and macaroni and cheese. Also try olive oil on her food. One tablespoon is 120 calories!

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  3. I think I read somewhere about using Coconut Oil and Coconut milk for extra fat cals as well?

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  4. I have some great info from our cardiology office on this. Send me a email and I can forward the pdfs to you!
    christina@intermountainhealinghearts.org

    Hugs & Prayers,
    Christina
    Heart Momma to Jacob

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  5. Ditto on the olive oil! When Gracie was having a hard time gaining weight we put a splash of olive oil and flax oil in everything - her bottle, purees, oatmeal, whatever she was eating. You could also try making oatmeal with cream instead of milk.

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  6. I have tried coconut milk - very high in calories, but Liam didn't tolerate it well. I have heard safflower oil has a very mild (if any) taste and you can add it to anything - 120 cal. per tbsp. Yogurt also has a good bit of calories. But I would also take Jenny's advice and talk to your card and ped for advice too. Our pedi wasn't as worried as I thought she'd be...she is just watching it to make sure he doesn't KEEP losing weight. Especiallly if lately Hope has been more mobile than in the past.

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  7. Avocados are good, peanut butter, pasta w/olive oil, eggs also a fruit smoothy w/vanilla ice cream.

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  8. I hope that things go well as you work to help her gain some weight. I know it feels like a step backward, but it is just another step. Hope is not going backwards, she's just telling you what she needs.

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  9. Hi there,
    I am a heart mom from Indiana and havw a local Mended Little Hearts group. We had a nutritionist come and talk at one of our meetings and she gave us some recipes and ideas. I have them if you are interested I can mail them to you. If you would like you can email me your address and I can get them to you. My name is Jennie Gorski and my email is jennifergorski@att.net

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  10. Good luck with the weight gain issues, I have no advice as such, but wanted to let you know that you are not alone and I do know how you feel. We have battled for over 8 years to get a tiny bit of weight on my little man (also a chd'er) he has never ever reach the 0.4th centile (bottom line) on his weight and growth charts and at 8 years old is no bigger than a 3 year old. I have tried everything over the years to get some weight on him. I know how you feel and if you ever fancy a chat about it or if there is anything I can do to help, please get in touch any time poshtottyspalace@gmail.com

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  11. I guess variety is key.. I read everyone's ideas and love them all. Adding butter, margarine (whichever you prefer) to foods helps. Cheese, peanut butter, scrambled eggs, whole milk, puddings, and those instant breakfast drinks added to pudding, milk, and recipes may help. And someone mentioned cream, which is great. I wish you so much luck and I'm sorry that this is a struggle.. keep us all posted if you can!!

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