Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Operation Baby Fat



Kyle is the most CHILL baby ever. The most easy going of dudes, but try to give him a bottle and he will bat it away (with remarkable accuracy) and go on a hunger strike for as long as he likes.

Our attempts to fatten him up just were not working. For almost three months, Kyle did not gain even an ounce.

We've tried enticing him with lots of goodies. We've tried tempting Kyle with ice cream, fresh fruits, every baby food imaginable...but he is unimpressed.

The doctor said we can't make a baby eat more. But, we could make what little he does eat count more.

So, we had to fool the little guy, and Operation Baby Fat was born.

Upon the advice of Kyle's specialist, for the past couple weeks, anything we give Kyle is LOADED with calories.

We're adding Carnation Instant Breakfast powder to his formula. We're adding heavy whipping cream to his baby food. We're even melting butter and adding it to his food. Mashed potatoes? Yummy. But add some cream cheese and butter to the potatoes...yummy and fattening.

And so far, it is working! Since we began Operation Baby Fat, Kyle has gained a little over a pound.

Right now, Kyle is in the 60th percentile for height. For his weight, he is not even ON the chart. At 17 pounds he is still a skinny mini.

But, at least we are beginning to see progress.




43 comments:

careysue said...

That is awesome Jen! Every ounce counts when your a little person...I know with CF Rickie doesn't gain weight either, we have to give him enzymes for every meal...junk food is Rickie's health food! (Mcdonald's, chips, etc) Everything I stay away from Rickie has to have!

Sounds like what you're doing is working great! Congrats.

xoxo

Carey

careysue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie said...

Well, congrats on "Operation Baby Fat!" Sounds like its working! Good luck and I hope he plumps up real soon! ;)

Stephanie said...

Such a cutie! What a great name: Operation Baby Fat. Haha!

I've never had this problem - my daughter will eat and eat until she's about ready to explode - she's in the 95% for both height and weight. Incredible!

Nan said...

His going to be a chunky money before you know it. Jacob almost fell off the charts at 9 months (after having always been at the 50the %)because he wanted to be with brother all the time and didn't want to sit still to nurse. I had to start giving him whole milk between nursings, among other things. It won't take long!!! Keep up the amazing job!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Is it different for a preemie? Jeremy is in the low percentile for weight, but always fine for height and head circ. I have never worried about it. But maybe you have to worry? I don't know. But I am glad it is working. You are a wonderful mom!

Heidi

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Congrats on the success.

I had to do the same with my daughter. She was always 75th percentile for height and not on the chart at all for weight. She got olive oil in lots of different things. And, whole milk yogurt. It helped.

Now at 19 months, she is 50th percentile and eats like a little piggy!

Unknown said...

WOW! I found you via Kristen & was just reading some of your back story. What a miracle your sweet boy is! So glad he's doing so well and is growing!

The pen newspaper story made me all weepy (I'm sure being 28 weeks pg & thinking about what if... didn't help either!)

Don Mills Diva said...

Aww - he sounds like my skinny minnie - Graham was 36 inches at 18 months and you can count all his ribs front and back yet he EATS non-stop...

amanda said...

congrats on the baby fat success!! sounds like my kind of diet :)

ps - looks like you have been playing over at picnik. so fun!!

Kristen said...

I love the name Operation Baby Fat!!

So glad to hear that it is working, and he is just so cute!!

Why to go Jennifer!! :)

Kendra said...

Yay for baby fat! I can't believe he is not even on the charts ... my two year old is at 97%! lol

Our Two Blessings From Above said...

Sounds like my one guy. Our doctor told us to give him Pedisure. That lasted about a day, he hated the taste. I never thought to try all the good things you are trying.
He was in the 10% for weight and height so, it was a worry.

Sounds like "Operation Baby Fat" is a success!!! He sure is cute.

My husband was raised in Euclid, Ohio. We have not been back in awhile though.
Enjoy the rest of your week.

twin power mommy ♥ said...

I had to do the butter and powdered milk thing, also.
I put in everything they drank, Safflower Oil. I mixed safflower oil in their cereal, i put whole powdered milk in everything. Pediasure was our drink of choice...It was hard to get them to eat. I can totally relate to your struggle. I remember hearing that i needed to make every bite count. We even had a doctor tell us that we needed to put a g-tube in. That (to me) was going too far. I didn't feel right about putting a hole in my babies' chests to put food in them. I just felt like we would make it work without one.
My girls (to this day) aren't on the charts. They are 6 years old and weigh a whopping 30 and 32 pounds! I buy them size 18m skirts and shorts. Anyway, thought i'd give you my 2 cents (or more like 10 cents :D )

Fire Hunt said...

My little one Gavin fell off the charts when he was 12 months (after having always been at the 60the %)Now he is 19 months and is in the 20the% and we had to do the saame thing, so it works:)

OHmommy said...

WTG Mommy.

Sounds like you are doing an amazing job. I hope it keeps raining here so he doesn't have the opportunity to work it all off outside running.

Keep raining and keep feeding. ((HUGS))

Indy said...

My little boy had feeding issues. It is tough on the family especially the mom trying to get through it. Hang in there. Sounds like Operation Baby Fat is working. Chocolate icecream cones for an after dinner snack worked for us. It helped put on weight. I piled the icecream high! Good luck!

Elise said...

Way to go with Operation Baby Fat, at this rate he will be piling on the pounds.

Wishing you all the best with this and looking forward to hearing lots of good news about Kyle's weight gain.

Warmest wishes
Elise

Laski said...

Yay for baby fat!!! Look at that little cutie.

J is a little guy, but he has a huge appetite so I am sure he won't be little for long . . .

Congrats on gettin' fat!!! Woo hoo!!!

Breanne said...

Yeah for Kyle. It is sure crazy what we have to do to get the extra calories in them. I am glad that the Carnation is working. Rylee just loves it. We have been using the whipping cream and butter also, but I have not tried sour cream yet. The other thing that I saw is a medium avacado has about 700 calories. I have been trying that with Rylee and she does ok with it. I have to really mush it up but it works. We have also tried instant grits made with the whipping cream and butter. Kyle is going to pass Rylee in the weight department again soon. They just seem to go back and forth with this.

The Rees Family said...

What a sweetheart! Love the blue eyes....keep up the great work with Operation Baby Fat! Love to all, Brian, Julie, Emma & Molly Rees

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Miss Lisa said...

Yay!
My sons are super skinny too. I give them lots and lots and lots of hummus. I really think it's a boy thing to be so skinny--you know a joke from God :)
So funny that you grew up so close to where I did--perhaps we ran into each other at Sky Way?!

Mandy said...

Great work! My brother's family has the same issue. Their daughter is in the 5th percentile for weight but 70th for height. Sounds funny to be "fattening up" a child, but hey, if only I could be so lucky! Mmmmmmm ice cream...

Anonymous said...

Oh man...Do I know about operation baby fat, OR WHAT?! Except that now Lincoln is 75% for weight and barely on for height :) wouldn't him and kyle look cute beside each other?

we're feeding him avacados and adding duacal to liquids. i love the heavy cream idea...

he's still as cute as ever though.

Becks said...

Oh what a sweet baby boy you have!! I need to go on operation lose baby fat! So glad he is starting to gain weight. That can be so stressful, my nephew went through this too. Good luck!

Wow 15 weeks early! I will have to do some back track reading to catch the whole story! My baby girl was born 6 weeks early (nothing like i'm sure what you had to go through but a shock none the less!)

Enjoy the cupcakes at the party!

andreawilliams said...

Go little buddy!! Eat eat eat!!
Good job on finding creative ways to add calories.

Anonymous said...

Praying for fat!

Fire Hunt said...

I have some photos of my boys when they were little on me blog:)

Allikaye's Mama said...

I found your site and just love it! What a precious family and story you have! I will come back and visit again!

Nadine said...

My little guy had issues gaining weight too..we had to use tricks to "fatten" him up until he was four years old...at first his bottle was added cream, then as he ate solid foods butter was added everywhere, heavy cream, dips...anything we could find with fat...and it worked!
he is still on the "littler" side but is strong and healthy
Praying for you
Nadine

Wendi said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!
I enjoyed this little post.
I wish I needed to "fatten" up... I have the opposite problem!
Kyle is a cutie!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Kristen said...

A pound? That's a lot! Keep it up.

I think if I put one of my kids on that kind of diet, I would be the one gaining weight!

amanda said...

hi friend :)

just wanted to sneak over and wish you a happy mommy's day too!!

hugs!!

KYnurse said...

He is absolutely adorable--congrats with "baby fat" Sounds like it's working. Keep up the good work.

krissy said...

What a cute handsome little guy. And yum...if he won't eat those potatoes, I will!

Chocolate! It works well for me. I can eat chocolate and watch my butt grow before my very eyes!

My daughter is super skinny too. She is 10yrs old and size 5 pants fit her in the waist, just not length. So everything we buy has the adjustable waist or we take them in.

Find somebody that can sew, quick!!!

Melissa said...

okay he isn't just chill but SUPER CUTE! Seriously just too cute!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day! That is great news that Kyle is gaining weight.

Anonymous said...

My son's name is Kyle also ~ you have great taste!

Anonymous said...

Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?

Can someone help me find it?

Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.

Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

It was rather interesting for me to read the post. Thank you for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

Julia Swenson

Anonymous said...

Rather nice site you've got here. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.

Julia Smith

Timughm said...

Hi! Is it different for a preemie? Jeremy is in the low percentile for weight, but always fine for height and head circ. I have never worried about it. But maybe you have to worry? I don't know. But I am glad it is working. You are a wonderful mom! Heidi