when should a baby see a dietician?

[ionesmum]

I'm here asking for help again!

When should a baby see a dietician? Our dd is 5 mo and is on l/free milk. She is weaning but many foods cause her to have trapped wind. We tried stopping her solids to see if this helped but it got worse and dd cried all night, so we are currently giving her simple purees, but I am worried that they are very limited. The hv has suggested that we may need to see a dietician. TBH I wouldn't mind this as I am not very confident in the advice that we have been getting, and I would like to be feeding dd under the supervision of someone who knows what they are doing.

We are seeing dd's consultant this week for her regular check-up following her problems at birth and I was thinking of bringing this up. Does anyone have any experience of seeing a dietician with their baby? Is 5 mo (24 weeks) too young?

Thank you!

[jasper]

ionesmum could you remind us what were your daughter's problems at birth?
Also, what is l/free milk?
Thanks

[Janus]

My daughter was referred to a dietician when she was about one year old but had been difficult to feed from about 6 months. TBH I was convinced it was going to solve all my problems as I was at the end of my tether because she would hardly eat a thing but it was of little use to me. She actually advised I feed her things like chocolate and wotsits in order to fatten her up. I hated the idea and continued to feed her with what I thought was healthy, even if not particularly fattening.
However, I think my situation is different to yours, ie your dietician will be able to tell you what foods to avoid to try and ease trapped wind and other problems your daughter may have. I would think that as long as your girl is eating, even if you think it is simple purees, this is a good sign. The one thing I did get was a very thorough vitamin supplement which did make me feel better as she was getting her correct vitamins if not through food, I would ask about this (you can start them on this from 6 months).
Basically, if it is offered I always think it is worth a try, you may find a brilliant dietician, but also it may not necessarily solve all your problems.
Good luck.

[lou33]

My son is 17 months old and has been seeing a dietician since he was 5 weeks old. Dieticians will see children from as soon as is necessary, because they can advise and prescribe special formulas for those not yet weaning. Ds was originally prescribed a high calorie formula for failure to thrive, but went on to become allergic to dairy and soya, so was prescribed a suitable alternative by her. She has been invaluable to me, as ds has continued having problems with diet, now being allregic to wheat as well, so I would say it's never too young to pay a visit.

[aloha]

Ionesmum, can't help you with the dietician thing but really don't worry about the purees being too simple. At her age, all her nutritional needs will still be met with her formula and the purees are just a bit of practise eating really. At her age, the simpler the better really. BTW, are you sure her wind is excessive? IME many babies are pretty windy - my 10mo ds does some pretty expressive farts. However, if your HV has suggested a dietician why not go with the suggestion - it can't hurt, surely? Hope the checkup goes well!

[mears]

Ionesmum - The dietician is the ideal person to help you with your dd's feeding concerns. She is not too young. In fact dieticians produce guidance information leaflets for weaning so they definately are the experts to talk to.
By the way have posted a message to you on the 'I'm not a Gina mum thread...'

[ionesmum]

Thanks for so much advice.

Jasper, dd's oxygen levels were low and she had to be delivered quickly under a g.a. There were a lot of long words used but the bits that we could understand were that her kidneys were compromised and her brain scan was borderline but that she was expected to make a full recovery. So far she is very bright and well, except for her gripey tummy- her brain and kidneys are fine. L/ f milk is lactose-free, which we put dd on of our own accord after months of being told that she had colic and would grow out of it.

I really do feel that a dietician might be a good thing for dd, we get so much conflicting advice from the hvs, g.p.s etc. I will raise it with the consultant on Wednesday.

Thank you all for your stories, advice and good wishes.

[ionesmum]

Hello. Just thought I'd let you know that the hospital are delighted with dd's progress and ar every impressed by her (of course!) The consultant isn't too worried about dd's feeding as her weight gain is above her centiles so she suggested that we keep on taking things slowly and be led by dd, rather than rushing things the hv way. She is going to discuss dd with a dietician but does not think it will be necessary to see one yet, dd is being reviewed again in 3 mo and if things are still bad then we will be referred. We have started to wean dd onto Aptimil and so far, dd is okay on it so hopefully this will mean the end of stinky l/f milk!

[Bozza]

Thats good news ionesmum - sounds like you are doing every thing right. So pat on the back to you.

Its a bit of a problem that hv's can undermine rather than promote a mother's confidence.

[ionesmum]

Oooh, thank you Bozza.