What I thought I knew...

Today was Josef's official 4 month well child check-up. I was excited about this appointment for two reasons. First: While holding Josef this morning at around 5 a.m. I couldn't help but think of how heavy he was. I just knew that when they put my naked little guy on that scale I was going to see 13 lbs miraculously appear on the screen...er well...at least 12 lbs and some odd ounces! Second: I just knew that we were going to be given the go ahead to start introducing solid foods! So, after a glorious morning of playing in the park with friends and enjoying the 60 degree weather in mid-November we left for the pediatrician's office with a warm sunny optimistic attitude that was parallel to the weather outside!

Arriving at the pediatrician's office we were greeted merrily, taken to our room where Josef was derobed, and promptly weighed in---at 11lbs 13 oz?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?!?!

It appears that I have successfully nursed my second child into being at the bottom of the weight charts just like the first...ahghghghghghgh. At this point I will step back and say the following:

• Josef's immediate male relatives to include is father, maternal grandfather, and maternal great-grandfather could kindly be described as not the tallest or largest men in their families. And just because ALL THREE of them have brothers that are 6' tall plus does not mean that they would all be created equally


• Josef's paternal aunts have all made it quite clear that his cousins were all at the bottom of their weight charts as well

But still: AUGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGH!!!

Alright, so right off the bat I'm 0 and 1 with everything I just knew. Certainly the resolution for my little peanut's low weight was going to be the introduction of solid foods---so all will be well. We go back to our lovely room and await our equally lovely pediatrician's entrance. After a thorough physical check-up and showing me his growth charts on her nice little lap-top she said, "You are doing a great job, but I would like for you to start supplementing formula in Josef's diet in order to provide him a higher caloric intake." At this point in time my mental brakes came to a screeching halt: WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Two years and 5 months ago when we had this same situation with Julia you recommended FEEDING the child. Not being one with little to say I stated this thought process and inquired as to her change of recommendations. Apparently new studies have been released that early introduction of solid foods into a childs diet have a direct link to onset of obesity, diabetes, and several other health problems in adults. With this retort of my pediatrician, mind you, who is the one who went to school to do this job, I calmed down and paid close attention to the remainder of her recommendations. But that doesn't stop me from making the following joke about the situation: SURE---IF WE DON'T FEED OUR CHILDREN THEY WON'T HAVE A WEIGHT PROBLEM! IF I DIDN'T FEED MYSELF AND PUT MYSELF ON A LIQUID DIET MAYBE I WOULDN'T HAVE A WEIGHT PROBLEM EITHER!!!!

In conclusion, I suppose I didn't know what I thought I knew. One thing I know now: Josef will not be feasting on his first Thanksgiving in the way that I envisioned. I suppose I will have to eat a double portion for him only in an effort to help increase his caloric intake.

As a side note: I did further research (only in an effort to support my pediatrician's recommendation) and have since concluded that she does know what she is talking about and I can rest assured that this is the optimal path for promoting Josef's good health and well-being. If you have any questions about the facts for new recommendations on introducing solid foods, I found the following web-site quite helpful:

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/early-solid-food-feeding.htm