22 months and 17.14lbs

My daughter was born at 5.4lbs. since birth she has not progressivly gained weight. At 9 months she got sick and lost a lb in 3 days. since then she has only gained a lb maybe 2, she is 22 months now. We brought her to her 18 month check up, at that time she weighted 18.7lbs. My doc refered her to a specialist and at her appointment she was down to 18.1lbs. Given special instructions of giving her high fat, high callorie foods we went home. One month later we went in for a Weight check and she weighted 17.18lbs. We were advised to give her 3 pedisures a day on top of meals but that does not seem to be making a difference. 2 weeks after her weight check I brought her into the doctors office for another weight check and she had lost another ounce. Throughout this whole time since seeing the specialist she grew 3/4". I am starting to worry about her. She is now down to size 1 diapers. My month and a half old baby is in size 1. Please help! I need suggestions.

[Renee Radenberg]

The diet they have her on is what I would have suggested. Did the MDs do tests on your daughter to see why she is losing weight? Your daughter needs an examine of her GI, cardiac, rule out certain disease states, and have all blood-work, etc done to find out the weight lose. If they did not, then maybe you may want to consider changing doctors.

[Tehyamay]

They have not tested her to that extent. I have been doing research but have not come up with anything. They say "Calories" is the key, but I wonder. In a month my daughter has another weight check with the specialist so from there we'll have to see what they say and whether I will have to change. Is that to long to wait?

Heather

[Renee Radenberg]

She is consuming more then enough calories to gain weight for her age. If she is not eating and drinking the amount you stated with the Pedisure and high fat / calorie foods, then that could be why she is not maintaining her weight. See her weight from the Specialist visit and then you can decide what you want to do.