On Being Paranoid about Baby's Weight

Yes, lately i've been bothered by Baby's weight gain (and weight loss).  Suffice to say that he's not nearly as chubby as most babies his age.  Hindi talaga siya puede pang diaper commercial kasi medyo payat ang hitsura nya! Add to that that he lost some weight during his bout with pneumonia. He's been bouncing up and down from 8.7 kilos from his 8th to 10th month!

The husband drove me even more paranoid as he said he would like to ask the pediatrician to recommend formula milk because he noticed that P is drinking less breast milk lately. He went on saying that baby looked thinner now if you look at his pictures as a newborn. Even his clothe size proves that he's not on the chubby side.

[caption id="attachment_1444" align="aligncenter" width="225"] He really looked thinner after he got sick![/caption]

On growth charts

But i was soon appeased after our checkup. The doctor plotted baby's weight for his height and weight for his age on the growth chart.  She assured as that although baby seemed to be in the low percentile based on the weight for age and weight for height charts, it's still within the normal limits and we need not panic.

She emphasized that growth charts tend to be biased  for babies born full term. My son was born 2-3 weeks short of his expected birthday. Hence, growth charts in the the usual baby books supplied in clinics may not be a good tool to use.

It's also good to check if the growth charts in your baby book are based on the WHO standard. WHO recently revised their growth charts to make breastfeeding a norm or the main basis of measuring the baby's growth.  There's a big possibility that the growth charts in the baby book are based on privately funded studies of formula milk companies, who also supply these baby books that most pediatricians use. Thankfully, we're using WHO-based growth charts naman pala. Click here for boys and here for girls  if you want to check your baby book!

Birth weight vs current weight

I was just not sure how the pedia computed but she said at the rate baby's growing, he's surpassed his expected growth rate!  Given his birth weight, at 10 months if he weighed just 7.6 kilos it was still  ok. P, being a preemie, was born underweight, just 2.1 kilos.  In the Philippines,  babies with birth weights less than 2.5 kilos have low birth weight.

[caption id="attachment_1414" align="aligncenter" width="300"] How primitive is this scale to weigh a baby?!
Source of Photo:www.loc.gov[/caption]

Average weight gain for breastfed babies

According to Kellymom, for 6-12 month olds weekly weight gain ranging from 57 to 113 grams is acceptable. Click here for more of Kellymom's discussion on weight.

There's also a study by the US CDC showing that directly breastfed babies gain less weight than bottle fed counterparts. This is largely because directly breastfed babies eat on their own demand and liking, rather than on cue (usually by the feeder) , as in the case of bottle fed babies.

Feeding issues

Unlike other babies who seem to be hungry all the time, P seemed to be less interested in eating and more fond of playing and exploring things around him.  That's why it's very important that he'll be (force)fed on time and with the enough amount.

I'm lucky my MIL is an eager feeder so i can be at peace while at work knowing that my baby does not go hungry. Read this for more tips on feeding older babies.

It's in the genes!

Note that genes will play a key factor in baby's  growth.  So there's a very big chance that if his parents are on the skinny side, the baby will grow to be thin as well.

To summarize, the pedia reassured as that baby's weight is ok. As long as baby seems happy and active and is fed regularly with nutritious foods and milk, then we need not fret.

Hopefully he'll be heavier on our next checkup!

***

Nice-to-Have Items for Baby's Medicine Kit

Every home should have a kit for baby's medical maladies. The medical kit will be your first line of defense in treating baby, or at the very least, in keeping baby comfortable.

Baby had pneumonia recently so we got to test drive some stuff that can comfort baby through his bout with common symptoms like colds and fever.

Below are some of the stuff  we found handy if,  God forbid, that poor baby gets sick again :

What to expect : the First Year (or any book about dealing with sick babies) 

Of course, i won't discount the fact that your pedia's opinion and diagnosis is the foolproof way of treating your baby's condition.  But having such a book on hand will definitely keep a mommy calm. What to Expect books are such mom friendly resources.  It has sections on disease symptoms and possible treatment for common infant diseases.  Any first time mom will find the information useful, hence keeping her sane on crisis events like these. Plus, there may be some questions that bother a mom which seem to foolish to ask the pedia. WTE books might answer some of these questions!

[caption id="attachment_1400" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It pays to be informed. Books like these provide some guidance during days when baby's sick.[/caption]

Ear thermometer

It's much more convenient to use, especially when your baby is  fussy or agitated. A sick child is uncomfortable and unruly so getting his body temperature through the armpit can be such hassle. It's even harder if you'll be getting the temp rectally, which is said the be the most accurate! Read BabyCenter's notes on how to take baby's temperature here.

We got this Safety 1st thermometer from SM Baby Company. It was on sale for Php 1,800.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Get an ear temperature when your baby has started getting more mobile - when he's learned to roll over or sit on his own. You'll be able to get his temp in just one snap.[/caption]

With an ear thermometer, you can take his temp in seconds! Some models will also indicate if your baby has fever.  It was very handy, even  throughout the period of baby's confinement in the hospital. Nurses were able to record P's temp faster.

Ask your pedia about baby's baseline temperature and the temperature she considers low grade or high grade fever.

Snot remover 

A snot remover will help clear baby's stuffy nose. Babies usually have stuffy and runny nose when they have flu or colds. Unlike adults they don't know how to clear their noses from mucus and snots. The snot remover can pickup dry or wet blockage in your little one's nose.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is an ear pick for adults but we use this to remove P's snot. We can only remove his snot when he's sleeping. BTW, this has built in lights![/caption]

You may also use ear buds wet with salinase to clear baby's nose and keep baby his nose hydrated. What to Expect.com suggests dabbing a thin layer of petroleum jelly under baby's nose to avoid reddening or chapping of that area. Chapping usually happens when the nasal mucus dries up.

Cool Fever

I think the cool fever strip helps a lot to relieve baby's discomfort when he has fever, especially when he's sleeping. The cool strip helps absorb heat when placed on baby's forehead.

[caption id="attachment_1403" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The strip stays in place so it's safe to stick it for use overnight[/caption]

Nebulizer

Nebulizers are usually used to treat lung diseases like asthma.  The nebulizer is used to convert  the liquid medicines into mist which is then inhaled by the patient.  When your child has colds, nebulizing with saline solution can help loosen his airway. It will be a lot easier to remove sticky mucus and snot in his nose after nebulizing.

We purchased an Omron Nebulizer for Php 3.580. It's a bit loud when you use it, so be ready to distract your child.  He may freak out during neb time especially on his first few sessions.

At home, we nebulize a few milliliters of salinase (saline solution). Depending on how much salinase you put in, the procedure can last for 10 to 20 minutes.  While confined in the hospital, baby had to take in  Salbutamol (for his cough) through the nebulizer every six hours.  Just a note: always consult a doctor before using,  Our pedia warned to avoid using nebulizer at home too much, or baby's lungs could be filled with water.  So limit using the nebulizer. Only use it to ease baby's severe cough and colds.

[caption id="attachment_1404" align="aligncenter" width="300"] At home, we use the nebulizer for baby only when absolutely necessary.[/caption]

So there, just some items to keep a mom from freaking out on sick baby days. On sick days,  it's best to coordinate and consult with your doctor for the correct treatment.

Also worth reading:

• Lessons learned after my baby got sick


• Tips on using the nebulizer on your child

***

Lessons Learned After my Baby Got Sick

Baby recently got hospitalized and confined in the hospital for a few days! I really pitied him as he cringed in pain as the needle is pierced in his small baby hands as the IV was being placed. I shed some tears knowing that he is still too young to feel such pain! And as the heartbreak song asks, "Where did i go wrong?". Surely any working mom would have some guilt not being able to be with baby 24/7 and hopefully guard his every move to reduce chances of him catching any virus or germs.

Aside from the IV, he was pierced once again to collect a small amount of blood for CBC. Hayy... awang awa talaga ako. But what can i do? His fever has been on the 38 level for more that 3 days.  The pedia also suggested that he stay in the hospital for observation.  I obliged since i know he'll be  better taken care of there.

At first baby had cough, then the next day he was sneezing more frequently. This was followed by colds and a bad case of stuffy nose. We gave him Disudrin for this.  On the 5th day, i think, he had high fever. The fever did not come down even if we gave him paracetamol (Tempra). We then gave him a paracetamol in suppository form. Husband and i agreed that if the fever, which was at 39 centrigrade at this point, does not come down, we'll take him to the ER. The fever came down a bit so the next day we opted to have him checked up the next day.

[caption id="attachment_3271" align="aligncenter" width="300"] No one ever wants for a baby to get sick. I was really crushed as my baby was pinched for the IV. On times like this all moms and dads is just to stay strong and hope everything clears up.[/caption]

The doctor immediately said he should be admitted since he seemed to be catching his breath. She said the warning sign, if you would check his breathing was when his breathing is so deep you can see the outline ribs and if he seems to be inhaling and exhaling faster than usual.

After the xray and the blood test, the diagnosis was pneumonia, viral lang so he would not be given antibiotics.  Thank god it's not dengue or any other worse disease. He had to stay in the hospital where his meds (Salbutamol) was given through the nebulizer + Disudrin drops.  His fluids was also constantly replenished through the IV. The doctor says he might have caught the virus from his caregivers. That was my suspicion, too since the house is seemed to be plagued with coughs and colds.  It's flu season and family members caught the virus.

So after 3 days he was up and about so i'm happy. He shed some pounds but at least we know he's clear of any disease. Now he's slowly gaining weight.

Here's what hubby and i learned and relearned after baby got sick:

Baby's immune system is still developing. 

Remember that even if he's still getting the vaccine almost every month, he'll still catch some type of disease. Shots can only prevent a number of diseases.

Avoid going to crowded places where he's most likely be in contact with sick people. So, noted. We'll limit his trips to the malls! Since convergence ang mall ng napakaraming tao, pati na rin mga virus.

We've been having colder nights since the end of October. For chilly nights, since Amihan kicked in, keep baby in thicker clothes so he won't get too cold.

Health starts at home. 

Sa bahay, since hindi naman maiiwasan magkasakit, i''ll have take take vitamins. Next flu season, i'll insist na talaga that they do get the shots. As my pedia said, having baby vaccinated against flu will be useless if the rest of the household won't get the shot too.

To prevent or at least limit the spread of diseases within the house, always wash hands when handling baby. Use baby's own utensils when feeding him. Avoid face to face contact if you feel you're developing a cold. Never sneeze around the baby.

Keep breastfeeding!!! 

It's the best way to comfort the baby. His appetite was down and limited. It was quite hard to breastfeed him while lying down since he had colds. Moms will need to nurse with baby in upright position to keep milk from backing up. Limit nursing in the side lying position. Baby might lose his appetite for nursing, but be sure to keep that skin to skin contact to reassure him that you're always there for him. After nursing, place a pillow under his back to elevate his lungs.

[caption id="attachment_3273" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This was our position for almost the entire time my baby was in the hospital. A mental note for moms with sick babies: Give more hugs![/caption]

Aside from nourishment, babies  get solace knowing that he'll be hugged by his mommy for the rest of the time he's sick.  The only silver lining was that during the period when he was sick, we got to cuddle and hug most of the time. He just laid on top of me... and i secretly enjoyed.

So there, take good care of the precious little prune!!!

Also worth reading:

• Nice-to-have items for the medicine kit

***

Recipes for Babies 8 Months and Up

Starting 8 months, i got more adventurous in preparing baby's food. He started taking different types of meat and dairy products like yogurt and cheese. As much as possible, i don't give him infant cereals so he'll be more accustomed to the taste of real foods.

Just a note to breastfeeding moms, make sure your baby get his iron. My baby has recently been hospitalized and with a CBC (complete blood count), the pedia found out that he has low iron levels.  Iron prevents anemia and promotes baby's mental and physical development. Our pedia says low iron levels is common to breastfed babies beyond 6 months, so she recommended giving daily iron supplements.  I'm upping his diet and will prepare foods rich in iron. Good sources of iron are lean meats and fish and iron-fortified cereals.

Chicken, broccoli and carrots

[caption id="attachment_1259" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Carrot, broccoli and chicken. My son loved his mix.[/caption]

Meat,especially lean meat is a good source of protein. Protein is important to babies at this age since they need to build muscles. Choose breast parts, it has less bones in. It's softer too.

For this recipe, boil 1 piece chicken  breast and keep the broth. Drain the chicken and let cool for a while. Once cool enough to touch, shred the chicken into small manageable pieces. Set aside.

Wash and cut one medium sizes carrots into one inch cubes. Wash and slice a medium sized brocolli into small pieces. Reboil the broth then add the veggies. Add in shredded chicken. Simmer until veggies are fork-tender.

Let the mix cool until ready to blend. Put the mix in the blender. Add breast milk if desired. Start blending until desired consistency is a achieved. Below is the finished baby food:

[caption id="attachment_1260" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Store in individual serving amount to lessen waste.[/caption]

Yogurt, banana and pear 

[caption id="attachment_1258" align="aligncenter" width="300"] For this recipe, i used banana, pear and yogurt.[/caption]

Yogurt is good source of calcium and aids in digestion. Yogurt is a good base if you want to give baby a fruit smoothie.  Get a big container of plain yogurt, this can go along with almost all kinds of fruits.  My sons' favorite is banana in yogurt.

This recipe is fairly simple, no need for cooking at all. Just peel and slice fruit into small pieces. In a blender, add about half a cup of yogurt and the sliced fruit of your choice. Blend until smooth.

[caption id="attachment_1261" align="aligncenter" width="300"] You can add minced or chunks of soft ripe fruits like banana to train baby to gnaw or swallow.[/caption]

Here are some more notes in preparing food for your little one.  Here's my other post on feeding older babies.

• Instead of using broth or water, use breast milk to dilute his food. This way, he'll have less aversions with the new food since he can still get a hint of  the milk.


• Avoid adding salt or any artificial taste improvement like bulion cubes or seasoning. Baby's digestive is still developing and it will have a hard time processing these flavoring. Wouldn't it be best if he gets the natural taste of the foods he's been served?


• Choose in-season veggies and fruits to get the best tasting ones. In-season fruits are also cheaper.


• You don't need to buy customized baby food maker. Normal kitchen utensils will do. Make sure to be extra clean about the utensils though. Have a separate chopping board for all his food. Chopping boards usually carry bacteria from the rest of family foods like meats and spices. The blender will be a great help if you need to mix and mash veggies into a smoothie consistency.

Enjoy preparing baby's foods and happy feeding!!!

***

Guest Post: Tips for Staying Healthy During Pregnancy

This article was written by our first ever guest blogger, Katie Moore.  A mom of one. Katie says the best thing about being a mom is continuing to watch her daughter grow and develop into a little person, along with the joy and happiness she brings to her life every day.  She started blogging as an outlet to write and research and to connect to other moms and women online... and that's how she found my site!  

Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.

In this guest post, she shares tips for staying healthy during pregnancy. Once again, thanks for these tips, Katie.  

Not surprisingly, pregnant women should pay special attention to their bodies and health during pregnancy in order to provide an optimal environment for the baby to develop in.  By taking advantage of these tips, a mom-to-be can ensure she’s starting her pregnancy off on the right, and healthy, foot.

[caption id="attachment_406" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source of photo: ods.od.nih.gov[/caption]

Keep doctor appointments

When a woman realizes she is pregnant, the first thing she needs to do is make an appointment with her ob-gyn, to check how far along she is and to monitor her health and the baby’s health. Throughout pregnancy mom’s doctor will be essential in helping plan for her delivery; there are many choices that should be discussed and made in advance, such as what type of birthing process she would like, what pain medicines to use and other optional procedures like cord blood banking and circumcision.

Eat a healthy diet

Many women think that it’s okay to eat whatever they want when they are pregnant. While it’s okay to occasionally indulge in sweets, pregnant women should eat a mostly nutritious diet. They should consume 300 extra calories a day to give their babies the nutrition they need. A pregnant woman should eat a diet filled with lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. They should stay away from raw foods, processed meats, certain fish and soft cheeses. A pregnant woman should also drink plenty of water. Water can help keep a pregnant woman hydrated and prevent constipation.

Get plenty of rest

Pregnant women feel more tired than usual, so it is important for them to get plenty of rest. As a woman’s stomach grows bigger, it will be difficult for her to sleep in certain positions. A pregnant woman should sleep on her side with her knees bent to ensure comfort. Lying on her side can also prevent hemorrhoids, veins and swelling.

Exercise regularly

Even though it is more difficult to exercise while pregnant, women should make the effort to work out regularly. They should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. They could do yoga, go for walks outside and swim. Exercising during pregnancy can increase energy, improve sleep, prevent extra weight gain and reduce pain and swelling.

Avoid alcohol and nicotine

Women need to stay away from alcohol and nicotine while they are pregnant. Alcohol and nicotine can cause birth defects, low birth weight, stillbirth and asthma.

Take prenatal vitamins

Even if a woman eats a very health diet during pregnancy, she can still not consume enough vital nutrients. That is why she needs to take prenatal vitamins during her pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins every day can help prevent neural tube defects, reduce the risk of low birth weight and promote strong bones and teeth.

[caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Source of Photo: chfs.ky.gov[/caption]

With all of the above health tips taken into consideration, as well as any special recommendations for her a doctor, a woman will be doing her best to stay healthy throughout, and even after her pregnancy.

***

If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26. A copy of  this post is also published at http://tiffskinnyjeans.blogspot.com