Things that have been unsuccessful

When Asher was 5 months old and still unable to sleep for more than 2 hours at a time, I got desperate. Even though I had my doubts about Gary Ezzo (Babywise/Prep for Parenting/Growing Kids God's Way creator), I decided after taking a class that I should give his method a try. I mean, all of the people I knew who did his program totally swore by it. They had great success and chubby, happy babies. I wish that more would have been stressed regarding that his program is ONLY for children of good, healthy appetites and normal weight ranges. Their is information all over the internet regarding Ezzo; some of which is probably untrue and hyper-critical. Read at your own risk. Be aware that most pediatricians cringe at the thought of a parent-directed feeding for newborns and infants.

While Asher did begin to sleep a lot better after implementing Ezzo's techniques, this is also when Asher began to have serious weight issues. He completely fell off of the growth chart at this time. He also began to slow down on his physical development. Asher, who fed on demand as a newborn, rolled over at 8 weeks (!), but was 6-7 months before he could sit up very well. Now, at 14.5 months, he is barely walking. I can't help but sometimes blame myself for putting him on the parent-directed feeding schedule that we did. Thankfully, we took him off of that around 10-11 months.

In the beginning...

Asher has never been a very ferocious eater. He was breastfed until he was 10.5 months old, but he often fell asleep while nursing (which was pretty much the only time he slept until he was 6 months old). He got solids at about 5-6 months, which was really not all that fascinating for him.

Asher started off life at the 10%. That is his current goal through early intervention. He is not on the growth chart as of now. In fact, he is back under 17 lbs, after being 17 lb 2oz in Feb.

Asher's biggest issue is drinking. He just plain doesn't drink much. Seriously, like 8-12 oz on a good day. Today he's had about 8. It's very frustrating and worrysome.

The early intervention people have even put the fear of God into me by mention BRAIN DAMAGE if he does not eat/drink more and get to his potential. Scary stuff!

Meet the anti-liquid cutie!

Meet Asher William Erickson! He likes dogs, kitchen utensils, cuddling, stairs, ball pits and stuffed animals. He dislikes eating, drinking, the can opener and being weighed. Asher weighed 6lb 8 oz and was 19 in long at birth. At one year, he weighed 16lb 8 oz and was 26 in long. He got up to 17 lb 2 oz in February, but his lost weight since and is now around 16 lb 14 oz. Here he is at his birthday party. Note the eager dogs. They know he'll feed them :)