We just got back from the feeding team.

First the great points...the OT and SLP were thrilled with Jack's oral motor skills and they were impressed with his straw and cup (assisted) drinking and lip closure. So they only want to see him in the 'full' clinic in three months.

We will see the dietician monthly. The dietician seemed sort of hardened and as though she likes butting heads with moms of these kiddos. For everything I said she had an opposing argument. I felt like 2 lawyers arguing a case. I stayed very nice and very calm and spoke very clinically about the situation. But inside I was screaming -- this is my CHILD we are talking about here!!

She calculated him at 1250 - 1500 cals a day as to what he takes now. She said he isn't getting anywhere near the required amount of liquids...he gets about 20 oz of fluid a day and she would like him to get 40 oz of fluid a day PLUS his 5 regular meals. It's never going to happen. I will try my best but the more you fill a kid (or anyone) up on liquids, the less solids they'll eat.

What she suggests in addition to the high calorie foods is 40 oz of Pediasure, carnation instant breakfast, carnation juice w/ protein, or whole milk. Plus she wants 2 tsp Duocal for each meal 3-5 times a day.

I am hoping this puts the weight on Jack but it feels like I am being set up to fail. I mean realistically I can't see him taking 3 meals, 2 snacks AND 40 oz of liquid. Like I said, I will certainly try and hope for the best.

She said he's technically 'failure to thrive' and if we needed to use the label to get Pediasure or Duocal we will but it's not in the report at this time. I feel so badly because I feel like it's all my fault because I make all of Jack's food, I sit with him for all of his meals I am the one that gives in or gives up when a meal isn't going smoothly. I am the one that researches high cal recipes, shops for the ingredients, prepares the meal to sometimes watch my precious toddler throw it all on the floor for my already FAT dog to eat. Sigh...

I am not going to let myself get discouraged. We are going to try this 'plan' for a month and see what happens. Thanks for listening!