My little girl still needs a little help in the growth department so I was thrilled to be a part of this Enfagrow Next Step sponsored post campaign.
If you’ve been following along with my blog for the past years, you know that we’ve had some issues with Sister’s weight. She started losing weight before her first birthday and ended up slipping right of the growth chart in weight because she was so small. I was nursing her at the time and the problem ended up being from my milk. While the supply was great the quality of my milk was not and she simply was not getting the nutrients that she needed. You can read more of her story here. To summarize, we switched her to formula, and a friend pumped milk for us while we transitioned to exclusively using formula.
As she reached her first birthday I slowly transitioned her off of formula, thinking she must not need it anymore. I stopped nursing my son on his first birthday so I figured the same would be fine for my little daughter.
The more I read about toddler diets and brain development, the more I realize she really needs more in her diet than what she’s currently getting. We do lots of frozen meals, hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, but then we also do things like fresh fruit, vegetables and cheeses. They might not have a meticulously balanced diet but both of my kids eat really well for their ages. But still, my daughter remains on the tinier side of her growth chart. Not even reaching the 10th percentile at her last checkup.
The doctor is not alarmed at her weight and it’s likely she will stay petite as her frame is quite small as well, I do want to be vigilant about giving her all the help she can get for growth and development. Sometimes I forget that she is so small, until she is around other kids her age or family from out of town comes to visit. We had lots of extended family in town last month for a wedding and several people were surprised that she was two already, because she is the size of a child much younger, even though she has developed perfectly in all other ways.
To giver her a little extra boost before her next check-up at the pediatrician’s office I’ve started her on Enfagrow Next Step. It’s a formula specifically for toddlers and it has DHA which is important for brain development. That ingredient we take like candy while pregnant and so often forget about after baby’s birth. Her brain is still developing quickly at this age (85% of brain growth happens before age 3) and I want to make sure I give it all the help I can manage!
It’s so interesting to think about how “back in the day” babies were nursed until they were children. It wouldn’t be abnormal to see a 5 year old still nursing. That is so rare today, and yet we forget that there are still nutritional benefits of nursing and formula as a child gets older.
I have said it before and I won’t stop, I am so thankful for formula, it has been a huge benefit in my daughter’s life and prevented us from having major growth issues with her! While we are currently past the urgent need for extra weight, I know that it is still benefitting her so much today as she sips her Enfagrow each night before bed.
Enfagrow has agreed to give away an Enfagrow gift package to one lucky reader! You could win one Toddler Transitions Can (21oz.) and one Toddler Next Step Natural Milk Flavor Can (24oz.)
To enter the giveaway leave a comment sharing why your family loves Enfagrow or why you’d like to try it! I’ll use random.org to pick a winner from all the commenters! (Giveaway open from Sept. 30th to October 11th, 2014. Enfagrow is responsible for prize delivery, not Beauty Through Imperfection)
I received compensation and free Enfagrow products for this post. All opinions are my own.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C. 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WHO ALREADY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AND VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion begins 9/30/2014 at 12:00 AM PST and ends at 11:59 PM PST on 10/11/2014. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Official Rules, eligibility, prize descriptions and odds disclosure are available at http://www.thesitsgirls.com/sweepstakes-official-rules/ . Sponsor: Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, 2400 West Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47721.
I received compensation and free Enfagrow for this post. Enfagrow would be happy to help you with your question. Please contact them at 1-800-BABY-123
Laura says
I am in real need of this. My 4 month old barely hit a bit under 11 pounds and actually lost weight. I am exclusively nursing and had this same issue with another one of my babies. He’s so tiny yet so healthy but Dr feels formula all the way. Like you, I have lots of supply…he gets tons of let downs just I believe the fat quantity isn’t there for me. We sure could use a little help. Thank you all for the opportunity!!
Becky Mansfield says
Great tips! Our 2nd son was slow to grow (less than 3rd %), as well- formula was our ‘life-saver’ (literally) when he was around 15 months.
Whitney says
I’m glad she’s doing better!! Thankfully we’ve never had weight issues with my kids. My youngest is 6 months and wore a 9 month onesie today. Hopefully once we introduce foods other than milk that will continue. Loved the tips!
Margaret Otto says
Our daughter has always had to be on formula. I simply couldn’t supply any milk. She is growing great, but we’re always worried we may not be doing enough. She’s going to be a year this month and we want to make sure she continues to develop as best as she can. I’d love to try Enfagrow, but we’re on a low, limited income at the moment and formula is so expensive.
Grace says
I’d like the opportunity to try Enfagrow! We’re prepping for life with twins. :)
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