Maximum Poundage

I sorta left my loyal reader hanging with my last post, didn't I. Sorry about that. During the first year, babies see their doctor a lot more frequently. Several months ago a red flag went up at one of Max's checkups. The doctor remarked that he was below the curve on his weight and if he didn't show significant improvement, she was going to have to do some uncomfortable metabolic tests and whatnot. She also told us to hold off on the introduction of solid foods (formula has more calories).

We were left scratching our heads on that one. Max has had a pretty great first year. He held up his own head only days after coming home from the hospital. He rolled over early. He crawled early. He stood and then took steps early. He's had 2 head colds and one minor ear infection. He eats well and often. He looks fine...in proportion, not too small or anything. No one has ever commented that he looked too skinny. What the heck?

So we started feeding him more. More bottles, at first. Then we just couldn't hold off on solids any longer. He was constantly reaching for what ever we were eating. He ate his way through stage 1, 2 and 3 baby foods in no time flat. Before I could even use up all the jars of food, he flat out refused to eat them and only wanted what I was cooking. So we gave it to him. I was amazed at what this kid could eat with only 2 teeth. I would leave snacks within his reach so he could help himself, too. He was pretty much eating all day long. He just had to gain weight, right?

At his next checkup, he'd gained a pound. It was enough to put him in the 1st percentile. Just barely on the curve. What the heck??? His doctor once again told us to focus on bottles, because that's where the calories are. But she had no idea what he'd been eating. We were not skimping on the calories.

Then we went on vacation to a resort that had a buffet restaurant on the premises. Max was in heaven! Steak tips in gravy, french fries and burgers, baby back ribs and chicken smothered in jack cheese and bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches for breakfast with home fries, french toast, roast beef, cheese and fruit platters, ice cream...

We continued to feed him anything he wanted at home. I figured his first birthday checkup would finally be the turning point. He HAD to weigh more now. There is no way he was still at the bottom of the curve.

And, thankfully, he is now in the 10th percentile. Still low, in the doctor's opinion, but a big improvement.

You know what I think? I think he just needed time to catch up. He was only 5 lbs at birth, for cryin' out loud. I just hope this healthy appetite continues. I can't tell you how nice it is to cook a meal and have one of your children stuff it in his face while making mmm mmm yummy noises. Tyler is so blasted picky! It drives us crazy!

So far, Max seems to be following in my footsteps. He loves all the same foods I do. Creamy soups, rich sauces and gravy...red meat and cheese...ice cream and cake... I just hope his good metabolism continues. I don't want his love of yummy rich foods to catch up with him later in life. One person in this family with a weight problem is enough!

Oh! And birthday party photos are in my Shutterfly album, if you're curious. Link over there to the right. :-)