"Older preemies"?

[raetay]

Hi,
I have an almost two year old son who was born at 28 weeks ago. I am still having feeding issues with him and his weight gain is poor as a result. Just wondering if anyone has had this issue and come through it? I am expecting again (unexpectedly) in October and concerned about taking care of an infant while still dealing with preemie issues.

Rachel

[angelical]

Hello, Rachel. I'm sorry to hear that you are still having some feeding issues. Good luck!

Sharel

------------------------
Sharel O'Connell
Local coordinator for Pittsburgh area
'Parents of Preemies' co-moderator
Survivor of Preeclampsia, HELLP Syndome, & preemie parenting
Future adoptive mom

Aaron (28 weeker, 5/2/02)
Kevin - DH

[hannahsmom]

Hi, Rachel! My daughter was born at 26 and a half weeks and she's now two and a half. Eating has ALWAYS been an issue with her. She almost didn't get to leave the NICU because she would never finish her feedings. Bottles were a nightmare when we got home - she would never finish them. Then she refused baby food and also refused people food so we kept her on a bottle til she was two. Now she eats macaroni&cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. That's it. I'm not joking. And I usually have to chase her around with the food and beg her to eat it. She does drink a lot of milk, though. She was not even on the growth charts until she turned two. Now she's in the fifth percentile! She is starting to eat a little more now. She's in daycare and sees the other kids eat so she tries to keep up with them. So you're not alone! Congrats on your pregnancy!



Suzanne
Mommy to Hannah Rose
26 weeker born 8/24/01
severe pre-e

[range]

Sorry I don't have any advice for you.
My daughter was born at 28 weeks and she is now 19 months old and weighs 21 pounds. She loves to eat though..
Good luck.

Laura

[rachel]

My dd is 27 months and weighs about 22 pounds. She was born at 28 wks, weighing 1.13, and has always been on the "small side.." I used to worry about it alot, & all the comments of "she's so small.." never helped. The Dr. always assured that as long as she was maintaing her own "growth curve," that she was fine. She eats well, and is very active, so I just think that she's going to be on the small side for awhile. I know I could probably "fatten" her up with sugar & junk food, but I'm just not willing to do that. I try to make sure that she eats balanced meals with lots fruits & veggies, and limited sugar. Anyway, just know that you're not alone, but if you are worried about it, definitely check with your Doctor. They'll let you know if something's not as it should be! Good Luck

Rachel

Mommy to Kailee - born at 28 weeks
12/20/01
1lb. 13 oz.

[natan]

Hi Rachel

My son had trouble two for the first year and half. Still every once in a while chokes on certain food. Do you have an occupational therapist? They would help you figure out how to work with your son. Interpreting eating skills and eye hand coordination is what what they observe. Also, some speech therapist can help as well. If you have a preemie that Early Intervention Programs can help find resources for you. My son loved playing with OT they do more hands- on activities.

I hope this helps,

Deborah

[jenn]

Hi Rachel,

I have a 3 yr. old who too has feeding issues. Jaidyn is still on 4oz bottles ( never got to the 8 oz size ) She takes a medical formula called Elecare. Its the only thing that has helped Jaidyn to grow and develop. She has always been "failure to thrive" That is until 2 weeks back at her feeding therepy appt. She's now 29lbs! She still goes for therepy 120 miles from home every 2 weeks. We've been doing this for 18 months and still aren't "cured" but feeding is a slow process to teach. Jaidyn still only eats over cooked raman noodles, and puffy Cheetos, and she has a thing for stopping at every Mc Donald's she spots for fries. So it's not much, but it's our progress. She still doesn't sit at the table, or she hides under tables at resturants to avoid food all together. It can be more stressful on parents than the children who suffer. I always get looks and questions when Jaidyn has a bottle in public - I try to ignore it. Someone even went as far as calling social services thinking I was abusing her somehow. Ijust know how fustrating this can be. If you'd like I can find out about any feeding specialists in your area. My daughter's Dr. is #1 in the country- I'm so lucky's she's a drive away! But she trains people and has seminars all the time, I'd be happy to ask for you. So hang in there! Your not alone, you can contact me here anytime. Take care, and congrats on the pregnancy!

Jennie (24)
Shad DH (28)

Jaidyn 1.24.01 (30 wkr)
Severe PE/HELLP
2lb. 12oz.

Heavenly Angel:
Blaze
12.6.03
(miscarriage)

EDD- Thanksgiving! 11.25.04
(giving mommy gray hair already) Couldn't be happier!

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jaid/

[sayonib]

My son who is now 27 months weighs only 18 pounds. At the last check-up he was on the charts for lenght, but as you can see he is way under for his weight. He wsa born at 32 weeks however has an intestional surgery. A very picky eater, he does not drink more than 3 ounces at one time. He is currently on Pediasure and then I try to feed him regular food. The drs did a bunch of tests and have found nothing wrong, they are saying that al long as he is active and healthy we just have to accept the way he is.
I am tired of hearing how tiny he is. And now, I have another premie son born at 31 weeks ( he is now 2 months) and am hoping that this one, at least will not have the same feeding issues.
D.

[momathelete]

My daughter who was born at 29 weeks doesn't seem to want to eat either. I don't think she has issues per say, but if it isn't a cracker, she would rather not eat all day. There were days where she had about 3 mouthfuls of food, walking around with dark circles, etc. She does love OJ and now I put a scoop of protein powder (what the weight lifters use) in her OJ and I know she is getting protein and calories. I am working on a way to get the fat in. She is getting into nuts so I do try those. She is 95% for height and about 40% for weight. She and my baby who is 10 months are in the same diaper and baby Ella may now be heavier than her.

Are some of your son's issues dealing with gagging? OT may help with that, tongue brushing, etc. He may need to get evaled so they can put him on a program.

Good luck!!

Michelle
Moderator -On Bedrest
Interim Local Coordinator -Illinois

mom to Cole (HELP pregnancy, 28 wkr) 5 yrs old
Lainey (preE pregnancy, 29 wkr) 2 yrs old
Ella (PIH, 37 wkr) 8 mns

[eandslane]

Hello Rachel!

I'm sorry to hear your baby doesn't feed well. I know how tough and stressful this is. We have the same problem: Matthew, now 26 mo, was born at 25-26 wks, 1# 13 oz, 4 1/2 mo. in the NICU...the whole nine yards! He's still small, only 22#, and his growth curve has flattened out alarmingly over the last 6-8 mo., even lost 2# in Nov. when he was sick... He just doesn't care about eating, would rather not be bothered with it. He lives on pediasure and bottles of milk and cream. He has some food allergies that severely limit what he can have. He has weekly OT sessions, he sees a developmental pediatrician, nutritionist, and we've taken him to a feeding clinic for evaluation. We do a lot of sensory stuff: massage, brushing, nuk brush... And lately he is getting worse! He's stopped eating most of the few things he used to eat - Yikes! None of these professionals seem to have anything to offer to help and I'm about at the end of what I know to do with this baby.

I'm really looking for some new ideas to help our babies- I hope some of you out there have some! Thanks!

Ellen

Ellen (37)
DH Sam (37)
Joseph 3/26/98 37 wks PE/HELLP
Emma 5/2/00 38 wks HELLP?
Matthew 3/30/02 25-26 wks PE/eclampsia (doing great now!)