Re: Smaller than Average

[Guest guest]

My son Mason is also smaller than average. When he was born he weighed

almost 8 pounds, and at a year he weighed 21 pounds. He was in the top

80% for that first whole year. He is now six years old and only

weighs 37 pounds ... and he'd weigh even less, if we didn't

constantly push his calorie supplements and Boost Plus. His weight is

now below the bottom 3% and his height is in the bottom 5%. His

GI/Nutritionist is talking about the possibility of placing a feeding

tube to help him gain weight, but for now that is on hold as his body

is making enough of its own iron and protein ... so though he is

little, he's okay being that small. My son's Surgeon tells us that as

long as he's not anemic and his body is capable of making its own

protein ... then let him be. So we are in no rush to have a feeding

tube placed, atleast at this time. But if either the iron

or protein go down, then the feeding tube will be a necessity (we're

praying it never comes to that).

He also loses his appetite during a " flare " ; however, also loses his

appetite between flares as well. Just recently in July he had to be

hospitalized and when he came home, his appetite was actually pretty

good. But within a week it was like we were forcing him to eat ...

that went on for over a month that he just didn't want to eat

anything -- so we really pushed the calorie supplements which are

added to his drinks/ice cream/yogurt. But then it picked up again and

he's been eating really well since. But this is his pattern, he can

go for weeks on end with just barely eating anything.

But I've heard many people on this list serve mentioning that their

kids are average, or even above average in weight and height ...

Heidi

Mommy to Mason, and Amber