[bri276]

DD is a challenge nutrition-wise. I'd really like some input on what I can change or add to her diet to make it healthier, more natural.

1) she has a cleft palate and cannot nurse so I EP, she gets approx. 20 oz of breastmilk per day. For various reasons, that's the most possible at this point.

2) she is very small for her age- 26" and 17 lbs. I don't know how much size affects nutritional requirements but I would imagine she needs fewer calories than other 12 month olds.

3) because of the palate, everything needs to be either a) pureed or b) very small pieces, like a 1/3 cheerio size, or it gets in her nose and then she refuses to eat.

Right now she gets:

-the 20 oz breastmilk
-2-3 tablespoons whole grain cereal mixed with fruit and/or fruit juice
-very little pieces of what I eat like bread, chicken
-yogurt
-fruit in mesh feeder ie, watermelon, peach
-once in a great while I'll run out of breastmilk and give her a couple ounces of whole milk

(everything above is organic and homemade) What else can I do? I feel like this isn't enough, isn't varied enough. The texture thing is such a huge hindrance. I can't just hand her a chunk of something, I have to make it so small that it would take 30 minutes to feed her a tablespoon of cheerios.

: Is fish oil appropriate at this age? I'd like to change from cow's milk to goats milk- where can I buy that?

 

[medicmama]

my ds is very sm too hes 6 and is 36#we gavy him soy protine powder in every thing to get him up to 36# we also made smoothies out of it. you just make a shake and add tsp or 2.

 

[Shanana]

I don't think I'll be a lot of help because my 12 month old dd eats anything and everything in any size, lol. But, I did want to reply and say I've seen goat milk at the Whole Foods here. I give dd goat milk yogurt, which they also have (someday soon I'd like to start making the yogurt myself). As for fish oil, my dd's holistic pediatrician has her on 1 tsp of Nordic Naturals cod liver oil, although we have a heck of a time getting it into her even though it's flavored. It got to the point where she was refusing anything we put to her mouth, so I've stopped giving it to her for a while. I'd rather she not get the CLO, than lose her trust in me.

Because dd nurses, I have no idea how many ounces/day she's getting, although lately she has cut down to nursing only 3-4 times every 24 hours. For breakfast she usually eats a tablespoon or two of jarred food (I give her this because I mix a probiotic powder into it). For lunch it varies -- today she ate most of a banana. Some days she eats a whole banana and 4 oz of yogurt. Some days quite a bit less. For dinner I give her some of what we're eating, plus a variety of raw fruits and steamed or raw veggies. It's hard to tell how much actually goes in the mouth though, lol.

Does your dd seem hungry? My dd is very clear at letting me know when she has had enough to eat, or when she wants more. Are you getting those kinds of signals? I figure that's better than looking at quantity consumed for a way to tell if she's getting enough. Although maybe she gives up due to frustration? Good luck ... I imagine this can be rather frustrating for you too.

 

[bri276]

thanks!!

I did find some goat's milk at WF today!

she doesn't seem hungry BUT on days when she eats fewer solids she does wake up around 2-3 am wanting a bottle. I need to try more steamed veggies on her, she gets a lot of fruit but barely any veggies- she hates carrots, and it's been so darn hot I can't bring myself to bake a sweet potato. any suggestions?