Hi ladies. I have a dear friend who just adopted a little girl from China. Her adoption papers were incredibly misleading so they didn't know what they were getting into. At the age of 17 months, she doesn't crawl, certainly doesn't walk and is only 14 pounds. This Mom has waited 11 years to adopt a little girl and is obviously distraught about her weight, in particular. She thinks that her little girl was just in a bad situation in China and simply needs to gain weight so that she can gain the strength to catch up to the appropriate behavior for a 17 month old.
So, one of my daughters had some weight gaining issues at about the same age, but it was 3 years ago and I have mommy brain, so I don't remember what I fed her to beef her up. Does anyone have any suggestions for good, caloric food to help this little girl gain weight. I remember from my experience that the fat content of foods doesn't really matter until after they're 2, so I've suggested ice cream nips, saffron rice balls with cream cheese, bologna (ick, but that's what MY nutritionist told me), but I'm struggling to come up with other appropriate foods. I just met this precious, long-awaited child and it makes me so sad to see this beautiful little girl look like a 7 month old. Any advice that I can pass along would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
A.
Please tell her that I will be praying for them. Im sorry I dont have any ideas to beef her up. I do understand about adoption etc. I have adopted twins at 4 and there still are issues from their past that we are dealing with and they are almot 11 yrs old but its all worth it. Thank God that yourfriend adopted her in time, now she has a loving mom to give her what she needs. YEAH
H. B
Whole milk products. If she is missing on fat content I wouldn't doubt that she is missing on other much needed nutrients. Mac and Cheese, yogurt (Yo baby is higher in fat then regular yogurt)cottage cheese, regular milk. She also needs protein. This is much needed of muscle development. And the calories won't hurt either. Just give her regular kid staples...grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, hot dogs. But have her meals balanced with fruits and veggies. She needs the nutrients from them as well. The vitamins and minerals will help her body grow and heal itself. It is a long road, but she should be fine.
Hi,
Of course, I would suggest she consult with her own team of Docs, nutritionists, but I would say, the obvious of cheeses, whole milk (which I would keep her on after she hits 2 yrs. old even), pastas, bagels, smashed avacados mixed with another fruit, or chunks of it if she'll pick it up and eat it plain. With trying to keep it healthy, I would also suggest turkey meatballs, scrambled eggs with a bit of cheese mixed in. With cooking for her, say Mac-Cheese, mix in whole milk, butter, but also pureed brocolli, to get / keep her healthy with greens. Her docs may also suggest special weight gain shakes packed with all of the good stuff to put some meat on her bones. I mean, under 2, they always say to give them as many good fats as possible. Too bad she's a bit too young for peanut butter, b/c that would be a good thing. I really hope this special little girl gets what she needs and I know she'll be moving in no time. I'll be thinking of her.
There is high calorie formula that is designed for preemies (Enfamil Enfacare or Similac Neosure). It also contains more vitamins that regular formula. Also, there is a high calorie powder that can be added to food - DUOCAL. It was created for anorexics.
If your friend uses any type of formula, there is a way to prepare it so it has more calories. If you are making 6oz of formula, put the powder in your bottle first and then add water up to the 6oz mark in the bottle (not just 6oz because the powder takes up space in the bottle). It just makes a more concentrated bottle. Does that make sense? I know people who have done that when they had a failure to thrive baby. My son had IUGR so he was tiny at birth (2 lbs 5oz) and he needed all the calories he could get. I always gave him formula to drink. He didn't have a cup of water until he was 10 or 11 months old. Now he's fine. He gained 18 lbs his first year.
Good luck to your friend!
A friend adopted a 18 month old who was only 13 lbs. when he came home. he couldt even sit or stand or hardly moved at all. Her doctor told her to start bottle feeding, baby food, mashed potatoes and mushy things. the food is different from country to country so don't try anything to different.. cheese, milk, ice cream, bread also would be ok. yogurt. my friends son was sitting up within a week of being home.. he started to walk at 2!! he is now in 8th grade, smart as a whip - eats everything and is normal in every way. don't push food to fast.. start out slowly. Good luck to your friends.. and the baby will do fine.. Make sure your friend tries to find a doctor that has dealt with children coming from other countires .. this is important.
How about Pediasure? It's like a vitamin packed milkshake.
We had no weight gain in our son from 9-18 months due to illness. Some people (myself included) give peanut butter starting at one year, so if she's comfortable, she could try that. An alternative is sunbutter (sunflower seeds) or a similar nut butter. Avocados are great, olives (black, green, greek), whole milk products, cheeses. We had lots of luck with french toast (without syrup), cereal, oatmeal. Fruit is his all time favorite. If he asks for more, we don't hesitate to give it to him. Offer lots of snacks between meals, a snack before bed. Do whatever you can to get her to eat. Her stomach is pretty small right now so it's probably going to take some time.
Our ped told us switch from whole milk back to formula (for older babies) for a few months, and to offer a cup of formula before bed every night. I honestly think this is what finally caused his appetite to increase and therefore weight gain. We did it from January to May. Then he started to eat more. He's gained 3 pounds this summer, after 9 months of no weight gain!
I was going to say the same thing as the previous post! Especially avacados, high fat and healthy. I'll be thinking of her as well, I'm sure she will catch up quickly. Her condition may be normal as far as things go in China. Let us know if she improves.
Hi A.,
I just met a mom a couple of weeks ago who adopted a 3 year old from China...he grew 3 inches in the first month with her...she didn't feed him anything special. If this baby receives regular, healthy meals and snacks, I'm sure she will gain quickly, as this boy did.
D.
