Thursday Blogging

Yesterday I received a letter from my 5 year olds school that she measured under weight and small for her age. OK well we already knew that lol. She was premature and was only 17 inches long and 5 pounds when she was born. She came home from the hospital almost 2 weeks after she was born at 4lbs 15 Oz's. She was in Preemie cloths at from birth til 6 months old. At 1 year she was in 3 to 6 month clothing. Now at 5 she is in a 4T clothing but pants and bottom she needs belts since 4's fall of her bony little bum. She has always been in the 0 to 5th % percentile for her age for height and weight.  She has finally made it to the 20th % for her height but not for weight.

Now my 11 year old is the same way. She wasn't born early or anything and she was a very chunky baby but from the day she started walking she got skinny. My 11 year old is at the 50% for height but weight she is at the 10th %. She is 64 pounds right now. Now grant she would probably be around 70 lbs if last summer while visiting her DAD she wouldn't of lost 12 pounds in that 6 weeks but ya what can I do since supposedly according to her dad and grandma her losing weight down there was my fault. Anyways She has always been skinny.

They both eat decent and even sometimes they are pigs. They eat their meats, fruits, veggies and etc. They drink milk, juice and water. They are active kids and love running and playing. So I am not sure if you guys have any of these issues or not but I will share my tips and helps that I have been given and tried.

Tips:
1. Feed them at least 5 to 6 times a day, I know that sounds like alot but really doesn't have to be huge meals just calorie packed meals or snack. Like peanut butter on toast, peanut butter on celery, peanut butter and apples, nuts, pasta with cheese or butter, grilled cheese sandwich's, shakes ( using ice cream, peanut butter, bananas, yogurt, chocolate and even add cream or powdered milk to boost calories)

2. Lots of exercise. I know this sounds like a bad things but it isn't. burning energy makes them hungry and it builds muscle with also helps them gain weight and more muscle more energy they are gonna need which in turn means more food they will be hungry for.

3. power pack any and everything they eat. OK so like in tip one  add butter, powdered milk, cream, cheese, or protein powder to  anything and everything you can. With the variety of calorie booster just mention you should be able to add it to just about anything. I get the protein powder at the health food store and it comes in a variety of flavors as well. Make sure though you ask the nutritionist at the stores which most have  that is it the right powder for weight gain in children. I got mine at GNC and the nutriontist was awesome there with tips and help. The other things you can get at any grocery store.

4. If you can get your child to drink Pedisure or eat the new pedisure bars go for it. I used the vanilla and strawberry pedisure for many years with my 5 year olds to help stabilize her weight and they make for a great snack. The only things is i probably would give it to them before dinner or they might not eat dinner. Use it if they don't eat anything at meal times and like with breakfast or morning snack.

5. Do remember your food pyramid. 5 grains, 4 vegetables, 3 fruits, 3 dairy/milk, and 2 meats a day for kids 10 and younger then it changes to 6,5,3,3,2 at 11 and up.

Those are things that have help us. If you have anything to add please do. So I hope this helps someone. I know I have used these tips and I will continue to use these tips.