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Hi Parents,

After yet another drs. visit with minimum gain (both weight and height), the doc offered my daughter another option to the usual Boost Plus.   It is called Breeze.   It is made by the makers of Boost (Nestle) and packs 250 calories in an 8oz juice box.   She had her first last night and took it without the usual fight.  Downside, it isn't available in stores, however, you can purchase it online through Nestle Nutrition.   I just placed our order and thought I'd pass our new calories boost along to all that have a hard time getting the calories in.

Be well..........Happy Mother's Day to all!

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for saddenmom14.

We have been successfully using Vital Jr for the past 2 years. This was given to my son in the hospital after being on bowel rest for a week. He was actually given the option of going on a diet of nothing but Vital Jr or trying a new medication (Remicade). He opted for the Remicade. The point is, Vital Jr is sound enough to be used for sole nutrition, and as a supplement, it helps put and keep on weight while providing absorable nutrients. My son's problem was that he wasn't absorbing any nutrients and became malnourished and anemic, despite eating well. He now drinks a couple cans a day and they are helping him maintain his weight.

Vital Jr is not cheap, but as it was prescribed by our GI, we were able to talk our insurance company into covering it for us. If you are interested, it is made by Abbott Nutrition.

Good luck!

 Reply posted for labanda.

Sorry to meet you under these terms.   You have come to a great place.   The people on this site have lots of information to share and are always willing to help.   My family and I have been coping for six years now and I vividly remember the DAY.  I know how scared you are and that you feel your world is turned upside down.   Trust me, what appears to be a never-ending merry-go-round will eventually slow down.   This is manageable.   It just takes time to learn and heal.

There are lots of things you can do to boost the calories.   Peanut butter is a great source (provided no peanut allergies).   We dip a lot of different things into it.....pretzels, peeled apples, even stir it into ice cream.   Boost Plus is also great for calories, though my daughter cringes at the thought.  It is grown tired......

I wish you and your family my best.

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Thank you for this information, I am new to this.All I know the Dr. telling me push those calories into my son. My son's journey has only begin. I will pray for your family

Ramon's Mom

 Reply posted for MominPoconos.

I hope it helps your daughter.   I pray each day for ALL of our children.

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for breezy.

Breezy,

Thank you.

Be well,       Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Thank you so much for this suggestions. I'm going to go onto the web site.  Your suggestions came at the right time for our daugher.

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

My "little one" does not have Crohns but he was born with a stomach ulcer and has battled his tummy all of his life.  He was always tiny.  People voiced concern over his size.  He simply could not efficiently process his food...people did not understand.  Now for the happy ending - my "little one" is now a walking wall.  He is very muscular.  He still has tummy issues but finally all of the good meals and "oh mom, not organic" paid off.  He eats healthy and works out.  He is the proud daddy of my most precious grandson.  So moms and dads keep at it.  One day I hope you will be able to shake your head in amazement when your "little one" walks in the door.  Life with IBD is no picnic but your kids have an advantage, they have parents who truly look to their well being.  Having Crohn's myself, I keep all of you and your "little ones" in my thoughts and prayers. 

Breezy

 Reply posted for saddenmom14.

Breeze may be an option for your son.   It is lactose free, packs 250 calories and 9 g protein in the 8 oz juice box.  It also comes in three flavors peach, orange, and wild berry.  I've tasted it (as I do everything else before I serve it to the kids) and it tastes like an over indulgent juice box.   I've even thought of freezing some for a summertime ice pop.  For us calories are a big issue.  She eats on average 2000 a day of good, nutritional organic food.  Even though it is a lot of calories for a little girl, that is simply maintaining her weight/height.   After meeting with our nutritionist, she figured an add'l 3-500 calories/day would be required to actually see a measurable change in stats.   Keeps your fingers crossed this works.

Good luck on your side.

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

I love listening or reading your new experiment's with nutrional drinks and the ideas that can help our "special needs children". But for me it is still difficult to find something for my son to have, due to his allergy to dairy and the fact he's such a pick eater. So if any of you come up with something that's nutional and not dairy PLEASE let me know. Keep up the Good work MOM's we're all doing an AWESOME job.

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

My addition to this conversation about high calorie foods kids like is ... MILKSHAKES! Just about every day I make at least one (sometimes more) milkshakes for my daughter.  You can vary flavors, make them with frozen yogurt, add fruit they can tolerate, or Nestle instant breakfast without them knowing.  You can also substitute soy milk or lactaid milk if necessary.  And there is always something fun about a milkshake any time of day.  My 10 year old with Crohn's loves them and I think they are what keep her going.

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

We would so be there for that play date.    As for having your back, I can let most things roll but it was a "straw" for me (as in the straw that broke the camel's back ).  Hope things are going well for Lizzie and you this week.  My Mother's Day was lovely and B-O-R-I-N-G which was EXACTLY what I needed.  

 Reply posted for AZMOM.

AZ Mom,

Thank you for your kind words.   As you know, it isn't easy being the parent of a CD/UC child.   I feel that since we have been dealing with this for so many years, if we can help one other child/family by trying this or that, terrific.  

I wish I lived in AZ, I'd have you and your girls over for a "play date".  Thanks for having my back w/the "wet blanket".  I typically don't even respond to negativity (simply not worth my energy), but thanks.

Lizzies Mom

Hope you had a nice Mother's Day....you deserve it!

 Reply posted for kc.

Thanks for the info.   I'll try that once our supply is depleted.  If we can save on shipping, that's something.

Thanks again, hope you had a great Mom's Day.

Lizzies Mom

BTW, you are right on, we would go to the end of the earth for our children.

 Reply posted for loving mother.

Thanks for the reply.   We've tried Carnation.  She simply doesn't like it...it reminds her of Boost.  I'm glad it works for your little one.  If there is one thing I've learned over the years, if you find something that works, stick with it.

Thanks again,

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Hi. My son is 8 and has Crohns.  When he was not eating well, I would give him Nestle Carnation instant breakfast and he liked it.  He liked chocolate.  He thought I was giving him Chocolate milk.  I am not sure if you ever tried it. Take care.

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Hi. My son is 8 and has Crohns.  When he was not eating well, I would give him Nestle Carnation instant breakfast and he liked it.  He liked chocolate.  He thought I was giving him Chocolate milk.  I am not sure if you ever tried it. Take care.

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

My son likes the Peach flavored the best.  We order it thru Walgren's and have it shipped to the store to save on shipping cost...plus sometimes they have a sale online.   We've also used Benecalorie to foods........from sneaking it into meatloaf or baked in a goodie.  Pricey but then again shipped to store to save on cost.  Isn't there a saying, "will try anything once, twice if I like it?"
Like many (and all) of us mom's, we'll go to the ends of the earth so find something they'll eat/drink/do.
Happy Mother's Day! 

 Reply posted for AZMOM.

AZMOM,

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

To Lizzie's Mom - What I appreciate about you is that you are such a positive, loving, parent of a child with IBD.  You are always encouraging to those of us that post here without being preachy and you are open minded to what other people are doing.  Your empathy for the newly diagnosed is obvious and I can't tell you how much I appreciated your kind words when my daughter was first diagnosed.  I'm glad that you shared that these drinks are working for your daughter - that may help someone out there looking for options.