Enfagrow Soy NEXT STEP ~ Toddler

Updated on May 17, 2010
M.Q. asks from Howell, MI
8 answers

Hey Moms ~ Does anyone currently have their LO on the Enfagrow Next Step for toddlers? My 16 month old DS is only 20 lbs; has not put on any weight since his 6 month well child....he is a great eater & will eat anything that is put in front of him. Pediatrician is a little concerned w/the lack of weight gain all tests have come back normal (celiac panel, thyroid, sweat test.....) had an appt w/ a nutritionist this past Friday & she recommended a toddler drink (enfagrow or bright beginnings to increase his calories) she said we could mix his soy milk w/the Enfagrow. I have read the directions for mixing & it says to use water....is it safe/harmless to use milk for mixing the formula instead of water as directed? I do plan on talking w/the pediatrician on Monday, but I know that there are some great advice givers on here so I thought that I would see......I am questioning what the nutritionist said only b/c she was very young & she also told me that she didn't have kids therefore couldn't really relate.....not very reassuring ;0) Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much for the responses... a little more info :0) he is generally very healthy, very active & happy; he has hit all his milestones...he talks, knows sign language and has been an awesome sleeper since day one. I breastfed up until 3 weeks before his first birthday. Our pediatrician is wonderful; I couldn't ask for a better pediatrician...we've been w/her since my oldest was in 3rd grade he will be graduating from HS next year. Anyway, the reason for the concern w/weight gain is he is close to falling off of the growth charts. My DS eats what the rest of the family eats for instance if we have chicken breasts (boneless) I cook his in a little olive oil w/butter for the fat ;0) he can eat the whole breast by himself then about half of cup of whatever vegetables( it doesn't matter what kind he is not at all picky & i also cook/steam his in butter) then about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mushroom risotto also w/butter added & about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of applesauce....see this boy can eat....he snacks between meals & before bed a cup of yogurt w/animal crackers or banana w/cheerios. Breakfast can be a package of quaker apple cinnamon instant oatmeal made w/soy milk then usually about a 1/2 cup to a cup of cheerios sometimes dry & sometimes w/milk....the portions are pretty much always the same no matter what the meal is. My DD who is 5 yrs old also from 6 months to 15 months did not gain but there was minimal concern w/her as she followed the chart (also has food allergies to dairy & eggs) she weighs around 40 lbs & is about 43 inches tall. Thank you again! I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

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B.D.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I have never used enfagrow, but if it's a powder, it may not mix with soy. My son drinks soy milk (allgery reasons) and I tried mixing a strawberry powder in it for a change...gross! It looked gross, and tasted even worse. I tried mixing some other powders with the soy milk and nothing worked. Good luck with it. Sounds like you have all the right ideas, EVO for fats, more butters etc. You can also try things like avocado's they are also high in good fat.

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C.G.

answers from Augusta on

First of all, that sounds normal to me. My 18 month old weighs about 19 pounds. My 6 year old weighs 37 pounds. My 4 year old weighs 26 pounds. Some kids are small. My husband and I were small kids. It makes sense that my kids would be small. When you are looing at the percentiles, obviously someone has to be in the 1, 2, 3rd percentile or there wouldn't be a higher percentile. Kids typically stop gaining or lose weight when they start to get mobile and are more active.

One question I would have, if you are giving him soy milk are you replacing the fats he is lacking? Whole milk is recommended for kids for the fats, not for anything else. My son had a milk allergy and we gave him soy milk with at least three tablespoons of added fats every day.

I would consider a second opinion. It seems like your ped is way, way, way overreacting. If he is meeting appropriate developmental milestones, eating a balanced diet, and otherwise healthy I would say he is just how he is supposed to be.

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M.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

She is a nutritionist, though young and kid-less, she still studied nutrition so should be an authority. Most likely the reason she suggested using milk instead of water is that you're trying to give your child CONCENTRATED calories. I would go ahead with it and double check with Pedi if you're still worried, or child seems to have a negative response to it.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Ask your self this. Is your sons eyes shinny and bright? Is his skin color a good radient or orangy (for lack of better or correct term). Some kids are smaller. Is your son sick a lot, I am not talking colds as most of them especially in day care have almost a constant cold. You said that he is a good eater and It sounds like you are providing a good diet. With so many kids obese these days, it is funny when they pick on the smaller ones. I would get a second opinion from another ped or family doctor. You have to look at the whole picture to determine a problem.

As for mixing with milk vs water, I do not think there could/should be an issue.

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B.B.

answers from Detroit on

My cousin is currently going thru all the "testing" and drs visits with her 3rd munchkin... Recently they put her on a reflux med and she gained 12 ounces in 2 weeks! :-) Big gains for her... :-)

Maybe talk to the dr about reflux and the possibility that he may just be a petite munchkin...

Be thankful for your ped. being on top of this... My 3rd child at 4 mos old skinnied out to the point of looking like a starving refugee baby... The dr sent us right to the hospital for 3 days of tests and all it took for him was suplamenting with formula... I am forever thankful to our dr every time I look at our healthy happy 3 yr old...

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D.K.

answers from Detroit on

I would suggest taking your child to a pediatric endocrinologist and a pediatric gastro. specialist. The celiac test at that age is not always accurate. I also do not agree with giving soy to children as it can mess with their horomones. I would suggest giving him Nestle Good Start, as it has pre-digested proteins, which will be gentler on his stomach and it sounds like his GI system is not breaking down and absorbing the proteins properly in his GI tract in order for him to be absorbing the proteins and minerals which are needed in order for him to put on weight. There is also a foundation called The Magic Foundation - goggle it - they will have a lot of wonderful information for you concerning different growth disorders in children that you didn't even know existed and how to deal with them. Your pediatrician's role is to notice something is different than normal and then refer you out to a specialist until they figure out what is wrong. If you still do not feel comfortable with that specialist's advice - go to another one until you feel like you have a specialist who is truly listening to you and is concerned about your child's health as well. A 16-month old not gaining weight for 6 months is concerning. You need to be your child's advocate! Do NOT assume that the doctor knows everything, as you know your child best, and doctor's do make mistakes.

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

It's fine to mix formula with milk. It will add calories and nutrients for him.

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N.K.

answers from Benton Harbor on

my friend had a son who was not gaining weight and it turned out he had a wheat allergy, she put him on a gluten free diet and he blossomed! It is a hard diet to follow but might be worth trying for a week or two just to see what happens! Good luck!

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