Julia's GI Appointment

I took Julia to see a GI (gastroenterologist) doctor today after concerns about her weight. It isn't that she isn't gaining weight, but it just seems to be at a really slow rate. For example, at her two week check her weight was in the 59% at her 4 month check it was in the 48%, at her nine month check it was in the 27% and at her 19th month check she was in the 10%. So, the pediatrician and the allergist thought it would be a good idea to see a GI.

The GI said there would be two reasons that Julia wasn't gain weight like she should be:
1. Not enough calories
2. She could have some kind of nutrition absorption issue.

The GI had us keep a food diary for a week. She said that from what she saw it looked like Julia wasn't consuming enough calories. She said that there could be a few reasons for that.
1. Because of her food allergies it is hard to get her enough calories and fat in her diet. For example, because she can't have milk, which has 149 calories per cup and I have to substitute almond milk, which has 60 calories per cup. So, she doesn't drink whole milk and I don't cook with it, that can cause a huge calorie reduction.
2. She could be having some kind of reflux issue that makes it uncomfortable for her to eat.

The GI wanted to start with addressing her caloric intake. So, we are doing the following.
1. She prescribed an acid blocker for her in case she was having reflux issues.
2. She is doing a full panel blood screen to make sure there isn't a hidden reason for the slow weight gain.
3. We are going to calorie boost her diet by doing the following:
    Providing strict meals and snacks with no grazing in between.
    No water or juice.
    Adding a high calorie formula to her diet.
   Giving her only 20-30 minutes to finish her meal.

The doctor is going to see her again next month to see how we are doing.