Ashlynn's check up

So a few weeks ago I took Lauren to get staples out and Natalie and Ashlynn for check ups. I have been concerned about Ashlynn's weight since she was about...4 days old. She has "struggled" with being very small. When she was born she was 8 pounds, I did breastfeed for about 9 mths but was very concerned with the fact she only gained 3-4 pounds in 9 mths. So my doctor kept saying as long as her development was still going well we can just "watch" Which I did and still do. So we switched her to formula. Never a problem not even spitting up. The one problem we did have was getting her to latch on to a bottle. We tried every single bottle on the market. Since she was a BF baby it was somewhat normal so we kept trying. Well when she hit 11 mths we just switched her to a cup and whole milk.
So I will just skip the boring stuff and say the first year about every night Ashlynn would scream. Not just scream but her eyes were blank,body stiff as a board and she was totally unresponsive until this fit went away. Then we noticed at about 9 mths she developed a chronic runny nose that kept us visiting the doctor about 1 time a week. Terrible stomach pains and some other issues. We switched her to Soy milk at about 13 mths and everything went away! AMAZING! She obviously has a milk allergy.
Well at this check up we went to it was apparent FINALLY that something is going on because she has been 20 pounds for 1 year! HELLO! I have been questioning that! So we did some blood work and had to wait a few days. Her development is right on track doing everything she should and more.

The doctor called to say her protein levels were low..which meant poor nutrition or infection. She wants to first treat her for poor nutrition. I was a little offended by this since I make sure we eat "healthy" I cook 3 meals a day so I was mad. So she wants to feed her pediasure and keep doing everything the same.
A week went by and a friend sent me an email about one of her friends that went thru the same thing. Low protein in blood,stomach pains, bloated belly, vomiting and some other issues. OH I forgot to tell you we have taken Ashlynn off of sugar because she has been throwing up often, extreme bloat in belly and pain at night. Her friend found out her son has an allergy to gluten.
I looked it up did some research and we have since taken Ashlynn off gluten to see what happens.


3 weeks later!


OK Ashlynn has now gained 5 pounds and has little to no stomach problems....

Gluten is pretty much in all flour,wheat, pasta and bread products. If it is in a box,can or pouch it is out of the question. Which means... no chicken nuggets and convenience foods.

Pretty much all meats, fresh fruits and veggies are ok. HEB and Kroger have alot of Gluten free products (especially HEB)

I have never been much on organic foods but now I understand the whole thing....I really thought Organic was for artsy fartsy hippies BUT most organic food does not have gluten and a handful of other junk.

THINGS we have all done....

Some things are the same like the fact we all always eat alot of grilled vegetables in the summer however I stopped buying corn and green beans in a can.

GRILLED~ yellow squash,zucchini,bell peppers,tomato,potatoes,corn

We have switched to turkey meat instead of beef (we did this 2 years ago because of fat content) yes it was different but now the kids don't even know the difference.

We have been eating alot more fish~grilled or always cooked outside. I am hoping the fish will bring up Ashlynn's protein levels.

We have also been eating more shrimp but again we do that alot in summer also.

We do grill pork chops but Ashlynn's is dry because bbq sauce has gluten.

I have bought gluten free organic patties that are frozen and in the vegetable section at Kroger. I gave them to Nick and Ashlynn for lunch today and they ate them with an avocado and never acted like it was not meat.


So a few things she can have.....

eggs

Kellogg's Rice chex

Kellogg's yogos

** I just found out Heinz does make gluten free bbq sauce

Organic Heinz ketchup

Yo plait yogurt

white rice

brown rice

corn tortillas

ALOT of potato chips are gluten free

Newman's own Popcorn

Oatmeal

Some cheese

She can have some fruit juices BUT we don't give juice anyways.

Fresh meats

We have noticed a big difference in Ashlynn. She seems not so "bloated" happier and is eating better. Let me just add she has completely stopped vomiting and the night screams. She is like a different kid.