Eating is an issue at my house. I tend to graze all day, especially at night. My husband likes to save all of his calories for a huge evening meal. So as Sophia is growing and her appetite is increasing, a new layer of drama has been added on top of our normal food issues.
For the most part, my baby girl likes a full bottle in the morning, a solid meal around noon and about four more ounces for a snack later in the day. At night, though, she ranges from a regular bottle and off to bed (with another bottle in the middle of the night) to major cluster feeding that requires more food and more food every hour or so. While the cluster feeding is not a regular issue, it freaks me out when it happens.
Sophie went from the tenth percentile to the seventy-fifth percentile for weight in about six weeks. All I can think about are afternoon talk shows focusing on morbidly obese children and how I do not want my family to end up as guests.
I am assured from most who have chimed in, though, that babies will eat what they need to grow. This means that sometimes they eat more, and sometimes they eat less. The dissenting opinion is my mother who, having dealt with my weight issues as a child, would like me to ensure that Sophia doesn’t develop one more fat cell than she could possibly need.
I checked in with our pediatrician to find out how much my 3 month old should be eating and was told the same thing that I have read online – between 20 – 30 ounces a day is fine. I inquired about adding water to Sophia’s diet (something recommended by the urologist she is seeing) and was told to hold off for a while because at this age the water could decrease her appetite and prevent her from getting the right amount of nutrients needed to grow body and mind.
The final word from the nurse who assists our pediatrician was not to worry about over-feeding Sophia right now. She’s too young for a diet. The pediatrician then added that we could add Pedialyte to her daily intake once she has had at least 24 ounces of formula, though. This is to ensure that Sophia’s kidneys stay flushed since she is still in the testing process to determine what caused her urinary tract infection. And if she is still hungry after eating 32 ounces of formula, we can give her Pedialyte then as well.
Of course, I continue to wish we had been more successful at breast feeding. I think it would take some of the uncertainty out of the process. Although, it would make returning to work and resuming the caffeine intake necessary to do my job nearly impossible. Coffee and espresso make mommy happy, but they are not recommended for baby.
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Posted by Nicole McMullin in
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New Momma
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You should read ‘Food is love’. It’s a very readable book filled with significant information about advertising, gender roles, and consumerism.
grand canyon tours of around
Mar. 21, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Hmmm. What every overweight child that grew up into an overweight adult worries about for their own children. We agonize over it.
I have a couple of concerns. I agree with the 20-30 oz. thing. That is pretty much the norm for growth. Period. The nurse was right on target--no new baby needs to be on a diet.
My main concern is about the water thing. Was the urologist you saw a pediatric urologist? Sometimes they are a better bet for getting more tailored info when dealing with little ones. What may be good for adults with kidney infections (getting more water) may not be good for babies, like your pediatrician is saying.
*But* it seems that water isn’t really a bad thing...if she’s getting all her formula in every day, you know? And Pedialyte has so much other stuff in it (pretty much just sugar and salt-- right? Won’t that add to weight issues, kidney function issues?)...why not just give plain water?! I know they don’t recommend giving Pedialyte to kids with renal insufficiency b/c of the sodium content...I would just be really leery about that if you don’t know exactly what’s going on. She’s not dehydrated or vomiting...it just sounds funny to me. Plus, water cuts down on the artificial stuff, so you won’t get started off on the whole “my kid won’t eat that cuz it isn’t colorful and doesn’t taste like candy!” So my first instinct would be to get a second opinion.
Second, maybe a limit or a guide on the amount of water or Pedialyte would be helpful. I’m no dr., and as a mom I want numbers. Period. I’d be worried about everything that could happen from too much of either of those things just like I would be from formula!
I’ve had kidney stones, and I can’t see anything other than water helping. Pediatricians don’t encounter this type of thing every day, so if you feel like you need a second opinion, from a pediatric urologist and another pediatrician, don’t feel bad about it. You’re paying for a service, and they shouldn’t feel bad about it in the least. They’ll be glad you are taking charge of your kid’s health. With Jake, I have to do it all the time, and it gets easier being the “bad guy.”
It’s our kids, and I can’t see it any other way.
* Comment originally posted at 5:56 p.m., 12/5/07.
Beth Perry of T-town, VA
Dec. 20, 2007 at 04:19 PM
I read this on Friday and it’s been on my mind all weekend. I don’t have children, so it’s impossible for me to say what my thoughts and feelings would be about this if I did.
I was born into a family obsessed with weight. My mother was placed on diet shakes while she was pregnant with me--emerging from the hospital 118 pounds from the 135 she had been before my arrival. What I would, and wouldn’t, eat became a years-long debate and obsession for my parents. Eventually, the debate became about my body shape. I remember being paraded in front of my aunt and grandmother once with them saying I had a “cute little figure,” while my father griped about me being overweight. For most of my life at home, I felt every morsel of food I ever put in my mouth was scrutinized. Eventually, I came to see food as my enemy and my self-esteem issues related to my beliefs about my body shape go deep.
What I ate, and eat, certainly contributes to my weight issues. But so do genetics and activity levels, among other things. It’s a complicated mix.
Laura of Short Pump, Va.
Dec. 9, 2007 at 08:52 PM
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