Food/slow weight gain

[Mufflinqueen12]

Hey first time posting .

Our little girl was born 28+4 weeks 1lb 6oz currently 14months .

We've been having issues regarding food for awhile she's on 3 bottles a day at 7oz sma high energy. We are in touch with a dietitian as well .

Eating has always been an issue she would always refuse then it got better currently we do breakfast no issue lunch she'll eat but not much and dinner time is like fighting a gorilla .

Today we had our pediatric appointment (uk based btw) and we was aware she'd have slow growth today he said its still very slow to what he'd like understandable we spoke and said a few things but I explained I don't know what more I can do i can't force feed her .

He mentioned even if we sit her for nearly 2 hours trying to feed her I didn't say nothing I just laughed there is no way as parents we are gonna sit with our child for 2 hours trying to feed her food that she won't eat and she's screaming the house down for a bottle .

I get it don't get me wrong she'll eat crap literally fruit we have started to try her with again but veg she will not touch.

I spoke with my dad today and he mentioned maybe a blood by the doctors to see if she's having issues with certain vitamins because the pediatric said if she lacks in vitamins that could be her weight issue now she came home with iron and multivitamin but eveytime we gave them too her she would throw up so we stopped and she was taking milk better .

Today he said its okay if she's not taking them because of her age but I found it strange how he didn't suggest putting her back on them now she is a bit older and doesn't seem to throw up oftern.

So back to my dad's mention of a blood test regarding her vitamins levels ill be doing that tomorrow but I have also seen few other mums (social media) giving their kids the green juice but from what I've googled they have to be over 4 now I've seen these posts and the kids are under 4 but does anyone have any advice on what to do because I feel I've tried everything there is only so much I can do but also scared that we might be missing something else .

The second opinion is the dietitian which we are waiting our next appointment.

Thank you
Xx

If the issue is you want her to gain weight you need to focus on calorie dense foods like butter, cream, cheese etc so if she has porridge for breakfast add in cream and nut butter (if not allergic), or make scrambled egg with some cheese and butter in.
I’m not sure on the vitamins but does your formula have the percentages of GDA on the back to find out how much she is roughly getting through that.

I think at 1 lb 6oz at 28 + 4 she would've qualified as IUGR or SGA wouldn't she? Were you told that some IUGR babies can have problems eating/thriving? (I had an IUGR baby and I certainly wasn't!)

It's good that you are seeing doctors and a dietician. I would just advise offering food little and often, and going with what she likes. As @Downbadatthegym says, calories are more important than anything.

The Child Growth Foundation is a brilliant charity which supports parents of kids with different growth conditions, including IUGR/SGA. Their url is www.childgrowthfoundation.org

and the IUGR bit: https://childgrowthfoundation.org/conditions/iugr-sga/

Good luck. It is horrible when they're young and not eating/growing but it does get easier.