FTT it is...

butterflygrooves

Owl was diagnosed with FTT (failure to thrive) and malnourishment today.  The Dr gave me a prescription for Pediasure to help her gain weight but I can't find any pharmacy that will take her out of county insurance.

I am going to start pulling my hair out. 

2brides

Ugh. I know it is scary, but FTT is actually very common and tends to be a catch-all for kids who aren't gaining weight as fast as their peers.

Your SW really needs to step up and start doing his/her job here.  My suggestion would look in the insurance member handbook for DME (durable medical equipment companies) and enteral supply/pharmacies. Many will deliver (at least in this area) to other jurisdictions (but our Medicaid is state-wide vs county specific.) Good luck!

Kershnic

Sorry about the diagnosis.  I'm sure it's incredibly frustrating to hear that and yet have your hands tied by the insurance/agency issues for what to do about it.  There have been some good tips on this board for helping babies/toddlers gain weight, so hopefully some of those can help you.  Also, I know it's a lot of work, but take your complaining up the line....  this is an unacceptable problem that the agency should be dealing with. 

butterflygrooves

Kershnic:

Sorry about the diagnosis.  I'm sure it's incredibly frustrating to hear that and yet have your hands tied by the insurance/agency issues for what to do about it.  There have been some good tips on this board for helping babies/toddlers gain weight, so hopefully some of those can help you.  Also, I know it's a lot of work, but take your complaining up the line....  this is an unacceptable problem that the agency should be dealing with. 

I was told that everything should be straightened out in June so I'm waiting to see if it happens, if not, they are going to hear from me.  I've been gathering name and phone #'s of people who should be able to help us. 

2mommiesinoh

There have been lots of ideas here about helping babies gain when they are not. I know my friend alternated between pediasure and a whole milk/heavy cream combo with some kind of chocolate breakfast drink powder mixed in? that her dr suggested.

Good luck with the insurance!

2brides

2mommiesinoh:

 with some kind of chocolate breakfast drink powder mixed in? that her dr suggested.

 

Carnation Instant Breakfast

hlke

Well, I'm glad you have a diagnosis and a plan.  I really hope the insurance issues really are worked out in June - Owl deserves better.

 +1 to whole milk/heavy whipping cream/carnation instant breakfast as a weight gain shake.  you can also make her milkshakes with hagan daaz, whole milk, and heavy whipping cream, but that can be expensive and doesn't have the vitamins that carnation instant breakfast does.  You can also add more butter, oil, or cheese to things she already likes to eat, and add peanut butter to meals or snacks.

Hopefully Owl will start to gain weight and thrive.  You have been giving her so much love and care, I'm sure this is another difficulty you can help her through. 

ssg73

A couple of things.  It is really tough to get the ftt diagnosis.  When E was losing weight it was very stressful.  You want to concentrate on fat and protein intake and try to avoid empty calories and make every bite count. We put heavy cream in E's milk, butter in everything and limited her fruit intake.  I know that sounds crazy but fruit is filling but doesn't have too much in it.  Carnation breakfast is ok but it is formulated to give adult levels of vitamins which you have to be careful of.  Nido is a product that adds calories without the vitamins it can be found in the hispanic section of the grocery store it is a nestle product or online.  I need to go look up the recipe but one of my preemie moms has a homemade pediasure recipe.  Fage has a whole milk yogurt that is super high in calories. Trader joes has a fruit and cream yogurt that has high calories packed in to a very small 4 oz.

ssg73

Here is the link to my friend Ivory's blog it has some good ideas and and the recipe along with the price breakdown.  According to my preemie feeding peeps  the max is 2 carnation instant breakfast/day for a 2-3 year old.

 

https://chunkymonkeymenus.blogspot.com/2010/11/meal-supplements.html

butterflygrooves

ssg73:

A couple of things.  It is really tough to get the ftt diagnosis.  When E was losing weight it was very stressful.  You want to concentrate on fat and protein intake and try to avoid empty calories and make every bite count. We put heavy cream in E's milk, butter in everything and limited her fruit intake.  I know that sounds crazy but fruit is filling but doesn't have too much in it.  Carnation breakfast is ok but it is formulated to give adult levels of vitamins which you have to be careful of.  Nido is a product that adds calories without the vitamins it can be found in the hispanic section of the grocery store it is a nestle product or online.  I need to go look up the recipe but one of my preemie moms has a homemade pediasure recipe.  Fage has a whole milk yogurt that is super high in calories. Trader joes has a fruit and cream yogurt that has high calories packed in to a very small 4 oz.

THANK YOU!  We had a big can of Nido last year, I thought it was formula for older kids who didn't want to give it up, lol.  I will be picking a can up tomorrow along with some of the yogurt you suggested.