9 Month Check-up Update

I said I'd update you after Karis's 9 month appointment with her pediatrician.  I've put this update off, because unlike usual, we didn't have a happy visit.  Usually I'm excited to report all her new stats to you.  This time, Doc had some concerns.

Here are her current stats:

Head Circumference: 16.5 inches/10th percentile

Length: 27 inches/25th percentile

Weight: 15 lb. 12 oz. /5th percentile (I read one chart that said 10th)

Karis's head and length continue to grow at a steady pace.  Her weight, on the other hand, is increasing very slowly.  If Karis had always been in the 5th percentile, the doctor would be fine with her staying that way, but since her percentile continues to decline, that causes concern.  Doc said, "Let's wait until her one year appointment to make a decision."  I quickly responded, "I don't want to wait.  This has been a concern at her last several appointments.  If she is malnourished, I don't want to continue to starve her.  I'm worried that my milk supply is too low."  He suggested weighing K before and after feedings to see how much milk she is getting.  He also increased her solid meals from 2 to 3 per day. 

A couple of days after the appointment, Doc called Michael at 7:30 in the morning.  I was worried immediately, because usually the doctor's office calls me.  Doc informed Michael that Karis's blood count came back showing that Karis has elevated liver enzymes.  He will see her in a month to retest.  I did some research and came to two conclusions. 

1.) The medication that I take for IC, Elmiron can cause liver problems, so maybe it was affecting her.  Decision: as long as I am nursing or pregnant, I will never take Elmiron.

2.) I read some scary things on the Internet, but the one that sounds most probable: low weight and malnourishment can cause an elevation of liver enzymes.  When weight and nourishment improves, the liver heals quickly.

So, I increased Karis's solid meals immediately.  I also tried supplementing with soy formula, but Karis threw it up the first time.  After doing a weight check, we learned that Karis was getting 5 ounces of milk during her first feeding and 2 ounces during the others.  Yikes!  She is supposed to get 6 - 8 ounces per feeding.  I tried some regular formula, and Karis did well with that, but we want to be careful with the milk, since Michael has a milk allergy.  This dilemma has left me stressed, worried, and panicky.  What kind of formula am I supposed to give her?  How much?  When?  How much is this going to cost?  Is breastfeeding really coming to an end?

After much prayer and research, my worry has calmed, and we have a good plan for baby K.  Research shows that breastfed babies slow down on weight gain after about 3 months, and this tends to alarm doctors.  Often, they recommend that mothers supplement or stop breastfeeding all together.  No way am I going to stop breastfeeding.  If I've still got some milk, why stop?  I am slowly introducing organic soy formula.  Karis is doing well... hopefully Doc will agree in a few weeks. 

Tiny Cutester in her Toy Box