The health visitor came, she saw, and she conquered.
Or something like that.
Both of my peewee babies continue their downward slide down the percentiles - they're gaining weight but not nearly enough weight. As Nick is about to head out of the 0.4 percentile into No Man's Land, something had to be done. The babies are healthy and alert, you can't see their ribs and they're not starving, but they're not thriving either. Nora, especially, is a struggle to feed and both babies have been stuck drinking the same amounts for months now, refusing to go up.
So the health visitor suggested we start with solids, and we resigned ourselves to it. Angus was ready to give them solids ages ago, while I've been holding out hoping they'll at least be graduating from university before I had to admit it was solids time, or barring that I was hoping to get to 6 months old. She also warned us that one or both babies might not like the food as the texture is too new.
The health visitor, she knows her stuff.
It's been 3 days of solids now, and they're doing much better. Nora actually likes the stuff, and Nick? Well at least he's stopped gagging. Once a day they get very, very milky rice cereal mixed with banana, which we wash down with regular gulps from their bottles. Do I like doing this? No. Do I think it's important for their health? Yes.
We're hopeful they start to put on weight now, because it's desperately needed. If things don't improve we're looking at a referral to the doctor, because they should be gaining weight better than they are.
We videoed the first two feedings, which I present here for a very short time.
And yes, that is us laughing in the background because we're very mean and cruel parents who laugh at the expressions our children - and our son in particular - make.
If you think they hated us then, just wait - their first swim class is in an hour. Talk about hatred, baby.
-H.
PS - the YouTube link wasn't working earlier, so I pulled and re-loaded the clip so it should be ok now.
1
LOL Just wait until they can spit it at you...then who will be laughing! LOL
Posted by: Kristen at February 15, 2008 01:04 PM (AiJXe)
2
They get their payback when you have to change that diaper. Solid foods bring on a whole new world.
Posted by: ~Easy at February 15, 2008 01:16 PM (XD24A)
3
Glad to hear the solids are going well. We started our oldest at 4 months because he clearly wanted it... The NHS keeps changing the goalposts on these things, so we tend to ignore them; I think reality is that anytime between 4 and 7 months is fine to start a baby on solids so long as the baby expresses interest and is clearly ready or is struggling to maintain weight.
Oh, and I hope they love the pool. My boys took to it like fish when they were babies... have to practically drag them out of it.
Posted by: ewe_are_here at February 15, 2008 01:58 PM (Nhury)
4
I feel mean for laughing too, particularly since they're not my babies. I laughed at P's gagging on one occasion and she promptly projectile vomited it all back up on me.
I have video of this experience (footage which stops just shy of the vomiting) on what is possibly the BEST BABY FOOD BLOG EVER -
http://babymush.blogspot.com/
Now that Nick and Nora have ventured into solids you might find some useful info/recipes there.
Ok, I'm done pimping. Sorry to use your blog like that, I feel dirty now.
Posted by: MsPrufrock at February 15, 2008 02:23 PM (6Mr1k)
5
It can take up to 15 tries before they actually like it. It takes about three before they finally just give in and let you shove it down.
You can always mix it with applesauce too. I mean, I'm with DD, you did try it right?
Posted by: statia at February 15, 2008 02:28 PM (lHsKN)
6
That is to cute, they are too freaking funny,thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cheryl at February 15, 2008 02:45 PM (n3lCA)
7
Absolutely hilarious - though I bet they didn't think so. Thanks so much for sharing that with us.
Posted by: Hannah at February 15, 2008 02:51 PM (KuL2D)
8
I love Nora's cries. They are so dang cute. Hahaha.
Posted by: Jen(aside) at February 15, 2008 03:04 PM (CCc3n)
9
Is it just me, or does Clive Owen sound just like Angus?
Posted by: JC at February 15, 2008 03:24 PM (zdulu)
10
I think they're doing remarkably well for first feedings! It will take a few before they actually like it. And cereal *definitely* changes the diaper situation. I loved hearing your giggle and A making train sounds. Thank you so much for sharing! I hope they love the pool and you all have a great time.
Posted by: Lisa at February 15, 2008 03:25 PM (EcHBm)
11
Thanks for sharing - so cute!!
Abs x
ps Petit Filous = baby crack. It may be packed full of sugar but i don't know a kid in the land that won't eat anything you serve for a helping of this yoghurt!
Posted by: abs at February 15, 2008 03:46 PM (xWzFJ)
12
This is the best thing I've ever seen - thanks so much for sharing! Their little faces of disgust - so funny! I should, however, feel like a bad, bad person for giggling at the children. I shall sternly talk to myself now! Have a wonderful time at swim class!
Posted by: Miss Kelly at February 15, 2008 03:54 PM (jB+eP)
13
You know, I am totally getting the impression that he doesn't liiike it. You're so freaking cute! And you have two freaking cute babies! And I just am putting this hear to annoy you with another sentence ending in an exclamation point!
Posted by: amy t. at February 15, 2008 03:58 PM (3dOTd)
14
The video made my day - anything that makes me giggle when I'm in the flat by myself is a major bonus, really! But I do feel evil too for giggling...
Your babies are gorgeous. It's lovely actually seeing them like this considering I've been reading this blog for a while now...!
I hope they start liking it better soon.
Posted by: Vanina at February 15, 2008 04:15 PM (/hdNr)
15
I would laugh too... but you already knew I have my perment ticket for that spot next to you in hell by the margarita machine
Posted by: stinkerbell at February 15, 2008 04:35 PM (O3iDX)
16
Absolutely precious! I love seeing them; they are so cute and healthy looking to me - even if they are said to not be gaining enough. Nick will never trust you again, I fear. You will remember this when he is 14 and eating you out of house and home!
Posted by: kenju at February 15, 2008 04:58 PM (yvCMb)
17
That was hysterical! I still enjoy laughing at the expense of my children, just leave a seat for me at the margarita machine. I perfer tropical locations anyway.
They really do look like the are handling it just the way one would expect. The 'gag me with spoon look' Nick gives you brings back some memories, and I really enjoyed hearing both of your sexy voices.
Your "they don't liiiiike it" was so damn cute.
Posted by: Teresa at February 15, 2008 05:56 PM (g50zt)
18
That was the cutest video! It made me smile the whole way through. I doubt that anyone would be able to not watch that and chuckle, so I wouldn't be too hard on yourself for laughing. :-)
How did the swimming class go?
Posted by: stacie at February 15, 2008 06:03 PM (bxoQT)
19
That video is priceless. It is a big adjustment but I'm not sure it warrants all that crying!
They are so adorable Helen! I can also see why Nora's crying drives you up the wall. She's shrill, but that will get better as she gets bigger. Thanks for posting this.
Also, to me, Angus sounds like Alan Rickman.
Posted by: Dani at February 15, 2008 06:36 PM (/DE+L)
20
Bleepin UTUBE...I couldn't get past his first spoonful. Im sure it's cute as heck, the expression on his face is priceless!
Posted by: heidi at February 15, 2008 07:33 PM (JU98H)
21
Thank you for the video Helen!
I'm not sure I believe in karma but I have to get in some sort of trouble for laughing that hard.
Posted by: Colette at February 15, 2008 08:15 PM (K2I1F)
22
Ok I'll sound the note of controversy - the solids aren't going to get any more calories into them unless it's on top of the milk they were taking - solids have far fewer calories per oz than their milk did. It just takes longer for them to digest it. Better to start making the formula more concentrated and get more calories into them that way.
I know I'm pitting myself against a qualified health visitor here, so do feel free to call me an asshole, but it's a common thing I see recommended and it doesn't do what it says on the tin.
Posted by: thalia at February 15, 2008 08:31 PM (wGBzp)
23
Such beautiful, precious babies! It took about a week for my son to take to cereal and then we couldn't shovel it in fast enough.
I have to agree that the solids should be in addition to the formula, not as a replacement for the formula. But I'm sure you know that. =)
Thanks for posting the video. It was great to see the kids in action.
Posted by: jen at February 15, 2008 09:05 PM (NcuXj)
24
That was fantastic! They really dont care for it but boy are they cute in protest. I knew they were adorable from the photos but seeing and hearing them on video took it to the next level. You are so blessed! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Christina at February 15, 2008 09:33 PM (J6Yo6)
25
Thalia - oh the food is in addition to the formula they were already taking - it's not substituting anything or cutting out one of the feeds. We're striving for additional calories to their diet instead of replacement calories.
DD and Statia - AS IF. I tried the formula once, when we went to the US Embassy and they made me try the bottles. That warned me off of baby goods FOREVER.
Posted by: Helen at February 15, 2008 09:34 PM (MwQlJ)
26
So cute! Reminded me of when we first gave ours rice cereal. It definitely took a few tries for them to not hate it. But from the video it looked kinda thick. You could maybe try making it a little thinner, more milky in consistency so it's not such a huge change. Just a suggestion. Once they get the hang of it, they'll be opening their mouths before the spoon even starts heading towards them!
I was laughing along too ... and I just LOVE a good English accent!
Posted by: Erica at February 16, 2008 01:39 AM (D6tE/)
27
echoing all others about the sheer adorability of your family. i love your laugh, their expressions...all of it!
Posted by: nikoline at February 16, 2008 02:23 AM (OCmQ1)
28
poor babies!
thank you so much for sharing that video with us. that brought a huge smile to my face.
Posted by: wRitErsbLock at February 16, 2008 03:20 AM (0Pi1o)
29
Helen,
Your kiddos are absolutely precious
(and quite expressive!). Too cute!! It was nice to hear your voice as well as Angus' lovely accent.
Posted by: Dana/Mia at February 16, 2008 03:30 AM (iUfJz)
30
I'm just hanging about waiting for the video to load, so don't get freaked out if you see that someone sat on this page for 40 mins.
It's just me, cursing my dialup.
Posted by: Veronica at February 16, 2008 03:38 AM (iDE/q)
31
No wonder I look at your blog before I read the news! Thank you so much for sharing this part of your life with us. I rarely comment, but I have to tell you, I was startled to see so much of you in Nora. (And not the pouty face.)
Posted by: Gal_from_Mich at February 16, 2008 05:31 AM (9AFu1)
32
Oh man, that was so neat to see! Your whole darn family is so cute! Thank you so much for sharing those baby expressions of surprise and disgust
Posted by: ZTZCheese at February 16, 2008 06:05 AM (7jM3p)
33
Nora's little cry just melts my heart! Lovely to hear your voices too.
Posted by: Super Sarah at February 16, 2008 08:33 AM (R5aDp)
34
Finally got that crazy you tube to load on your site....(stupid dial-up)
...those too are just too darn precious!
Posted by: Heidi at February 16, 2008 08:48 AM (SjHej)
35
I know they don't like it but their faces are priceless. I think I made the same face when I was introduced to TCP liquid antiseptic last month. lol (What in god's name is that stuff?!? How do people gargle with it??) I was totally trying to place his voice and then though Alan Rickman too!
Posted by: Lee at February 16, 2008 10:07 AM (rz/qM)
36
They are absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sarah at February 16, 2008 01:13 PM (K+h++)
37
Oh my goodness...too freaking cute!
And I think you're right....He doesn't like it!
Posted by: Kristine Needleman at February 16, 2008 04:11 PM (8SRDh)
38
Super great. Thanx. Enjoyed every moment. Recalled so many pleasnat moments with my childrem.
Posted by: Charles at February 16, 2008 04:53 PM (gHAtb)
39
Just catching up... (finally)... and loved to hear you and Angus' laughter. This brought back soooo many memories of my own children, and yes, we DO laugh at them! Too cute.
Just a word of warning: My children are all grown now, and my daughter keeps reminding me that some day I will be the one being spoon fed and I should be aware that SHE will be laughing at me, too!
Posted by: sue at February 16, 2008 07:19 PM (geYhK)
40
You made my weekend! Thanks for the laugh.
Posted by: Stella at February 17, 2008 02:50 AM (sFS+Z)
41
So cute!! Thanks for sharing! I'm sure as they get older they will catch up on their weight. Hang in there!
Posted by: Kat at February 17, 2008 10:52 PM (TZ+CE)
42
Oh, my daughter was a gagger, too. Literally she once gagged when I AIMED a carrot at her. It was still several feet away, but she gagged nevertheless. And did I giggle? You bet.
Posted by: bonnie at February 18, 2008 04:28 AM (5hnPX)
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