Growth charts

[Guest guest]

Actually, the *only* thing that has kept the docs at bay is that my son's curve

has risen -- albeit in tiny, tiny increments -- at each visit. That is, the

curve has never turned downward. But he is either off the bottom of the chart

or below the fifth percentile in weight. Heightwise, he's about the fifteenth.

 

As for the FFT diagnosis, which the nurse practitioner at his pediatrician's

office actually had the audacity to make and record in his chart, I take great

exception to labeling a vigorous, bright, curious, creative, happy child failure

to thrive. Just as an aside, the NP didn't tell me she had made that diagnosis,

and when we got to the lab for the bloodwork she had ordered, the technician at

the front desk of a crowded waiting room looked at the lab slip and apparently

was confused about what to record as a diagnosis because she yelled out to

another lab tech who was sitting across the room, " hey, do you know what FTT

stands for? " And of course the other tech obliged by yelling back " FAILURE TO

THRIVE. " I had to hear that way that my child had been so diagnosed. Within

two weeks I had a new pediatrician, who told me she prefers to say " failure to

gain weight. "

 

My son was six pounds 12 ounces at birth -- pretty normal I'd say. When he was

an infant I started him on solids with hand milled organic vegetables like peas,

swiss chard, sweet potatoes, avocado, squash, etc. He ate everything, though in

tiny bits. Now at four years old he does not eat pizza, macaroni and cheese

(soy or dairy), peanut butter, ice cream, or any of the other standbys for

finicky kids. He does not like smoothies, baked goods, muffins, cookies, cake,

or most other desserts. I can occasionally get him to eat a little tofu or some

toast with olive oil and a little bit of tamari sauce on it. I offer him food

constantly and his standard answer is no. I've read all the books and I know

that he might be responding to my stress, but it's hard not to be concerned when

I hear his stomach growling at night before bed.

 

Terry

-

mudpuddle

Saturday, June 07, 2003 1:43 AM

RE: New member

 

 

Hi Terry,

 

You didn't mention how your son's growth curve looks for his weight. Even if

he may be a low percentile for his age/wt - if his curve over the years is

consistent, then he would not be considered FTT. Some kids are just small.

My daughter is a peanut, but she was also a preemie. Her growth curve is

appropriate though.

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi,

it may sound a bit crazy but at this point you might just do the opposite of

what you are doing and just RELAX. You have taken him to the doctor and you are

doing the best you can. These posts have given me comfort because my son is

small too. He does eat but doesn't seem to be gaining weight. I tend to panic as

well too but then I take a deep breath and I take comfort in the fact that he is

bright and healthy. I would love to give him a lot of these power shakes and

smoothies but he doesn;t like them enough where I can give it to him on a

consistent enough basis to get a result. I have spoke to several veg parents and

they have told me that their children are picky eaters and their kids have been

about seven to eight years of age. Good luck and hang in there!

p.s.- i don't know if this is entirely healthy but perhaps you should give him

what he likes. many moms veg or not have given me this advice. like my son seems

to be able live entirely on bread and beans. I often tear my hair out when I

spend hours in the kitchen preparing him a dish. I then offer it to him, he

stares at me and blinks and then calmly asks me for bread and beans.

AAARRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!! so perhaps you should give him french fries till he

explodes-my son likes fries too...

-

tsomerson

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 6:30 PM

Re: Growth charts

 

 

Actually, the *only* thing that has kept the docs at bay is that my son's

curve has risen -- albeit in tiny, tiny increments -- at each visit. That is,

the curve has never turned downward. But he is either off the bottom of the

chart or below the fifth percentile in weight. Heightwise, he's about the

fifteenth.

 

As for the FFT diagnosis, which the nurse practitioner at his pediatrician's

office actually had the audacity to make and record in his chart, I take great

exception to labeling a vigorous, bright, curious, creative, happy child failure

to thrive. Just as an aside, the NP didn't tell me she had made that diagnosis,

and when we got to the lab for the bloodwork she had ordered, the technician at

the front desk of a crowded waiting room looked at the lab slip and apparently

was confused about what to record as a diagnosis because she yelled out to

another lab tech who was sitting across the room, " hey, do you know what FTT

stands for? " And of course the other tech obliged by yelling back " FAILURE TO

THRIVE. " I had to hear that way that my child had been so diagnosed. Within

two weeks I had a new pediatrician, who told me she prefers to say " failure to

gain weight. "

 

My son was six pounds 12 ounces at birth -- pretty normal I'd say. When he

was an infant I started him on solids with hand milled organic vegetables like

peas, swiss chard, sweet potatoes, avocado, squash, etc. He ate everything,

though in tiny bits. Now at four years old he does not eat pizza, macaroni and

cheese (soy or dairy), peanut butter, ice cream, or any of the other standbys

for finicky kids. He does not like smoothies, baked goods, muffins, cookies,

cake, or most other desserts. I can occasionally get him to eat a little tofu

or some toast with olive oil and a little bit of tamari sauce on it. I offer

him food constantly and his standard answer is no. I've read all the books and I

know that he might be responding to my stress, but it's hard not to be concerned

when I hear his stomach growling at night before bed.

 

Terry

-

mudpuddle

Saturday, June 07, 2003 1:43 AM

RE: New member

 

 

Hi Terry,

 

You didn't mention how your son's growth curve looks for his weight. Even if

he may be a low percentile for his age/wt - if his curve over the years is

consistent, then he would not be considered FTT. Some kids are just small.

My daughter is a peanut, but she was also a preemie. Her growth curve is

appropriate though.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

My son is three years old and has been at the 5th

percentile on the charts since he was about one year

old. He is healthy and energetic, but eats almost

nothing. The doctor diagnosed him as " failure to

thrive " which upset me, but I know from working in the

medical business that the insurance companies need to

see a certain diagnosis documented in order to pay for

tests/treatments. I'm sure that's why the doctor put

that diagnosis on the paperwork. My son's bloodwork

came back great, by the way.