How can i make my son gain weight??

Question

he is 2 years old and underweight for his age. the doctors have ran alot of test to see if they can find a cause, and they can't, but they want him to gain at least 10 pounds..right now he only weighs 21 pounds and he is over 2 and a half years old. nothing i do works! he has an appointment in 3 weeks to once again weigh him and he needs to have gained some of the 10 pounds by then, but I'm not sure how to go about it other than giving him sweets, and i don't think that's very healthy. so any suggestions????? Thanks!

Answer 1

You maybe need to go to a dietician who can help you with a proper diet for your son. You also need to persist in feeding him and try new ways to make eating fun. Many parents can give up too soon because they get frustrated and do not know what to do. Try making it fun, or even eating with him as this can help.

Answer 2

More fibre in his diet..

See if there are any foods 2 year olds can eat that have a lot of fibre.

Answer 3

He just needs to be taking in more calories than he's burning. So that doesn't mean necessarily feeding him sweets, it just means feeding him more of the right foods. Healthy fats include omega-3 essential fatty acids sources like tuna, salmon, flax, and walnuts. Good sources of protein include lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds and legumes. Healthy carbohydrate sources include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Feed him five or six small meals a day instead of the usual 3 (breakfast lunch and dinner).  

Answer 4

Yeah, don't be taking him to Mcd's or anything like that.  Have you thought about whole milk, healthy fats...cheese, yogurt.  Do some research online, I'm sure you'll be able to find some good foods to feed him.

Answer 5

This is exactly why I don't like doctors. It's like every kid is a prototype out of some textbook. I would just tell the doctor at your next appointment that you have been doing all that you feel you can without compromising your sons health. That you simply think that your son is the way that God intended him to be. There is nothing wrong with being skinny. It's the exact opposite with my son. I took him for his 3 year checkup last week and the doctor told me that his BMI is too high and he needs to lose weight. If you saw him, you would laugh. He is SO muscular. I'm amazed at his strength sometimes, but he is not fat or even slightly overweight. I just told the doctor that she's crazy if she thinks I'm putting my 3 year old on a 'diet'. I could see it if he was a little older and lazy, and actually overweight or chunky. But it's nothing to stress over. Just keep feeding him healthy foods and good fats. If he doesn't gain then don't stress over it.

Answer 6

I'm kinda torn on this.  My kids are skinny and I never had any pressure from the dr. to gain weight.  I think my 7 yo weighs about 40 and he's the heaviest one.

My thinking is as long as he's hitting his milestones, has had tests ruling out everything else (thyroid, blood (lead, mercury, etc) poisoning, etc), therefore healthy and seems happy and is eating well, I really wouldn't worry about it.  10 lbs seems like a LOT!  I mean a crazy lot.  I remember my kids being turned backwards in the car forever (well after they turned two) so they didn't weigh much more, if any, than yours.  Go with your instinct and perhaps a second opinion.  Not all kids are made of the same mold.

Answer 7

take him to mcdonalds

Answer 8

Please don't stress out. A friend of mine had a kid like that and he is all muscle at 6. Better that than a butterball. Some kids are just built that way. I will probably get a bunch of thumbs down for this but I think you need to be careful, no matter what the doctors said. If you try to pump him with food to gain 10 lbs in 3 weeks, that is a lot of weight. Not only that, but you might start him on really bad habits that will cause weight problems in the long run. A healthy 2½-year-old's weight should be around 23 lbs - 36 lbs. An additional 10 lbs would put him up at 31 lbs. Maybe you should try 5 lbs. as a more realistic goal. Pasta and meat dishes with some olive oil should put a few pounds on.

Answer 9

try giving him more smaller meals more often, kids are very very active at that age and can burn everything off so quickly,  giving them sweets and crisps isn't good for them in the long run as its hydrogenated fats.  i would hope your doctor can give you a few more ideas on how to get him to put some weight on if they are worried. the fact is it could be a medical problem like a thyroid problem, or he may just have a very fast metabolism.  try lots of fruit and yogurt snacks and get some friends over and see what they feed their tots.

Answer 10

OH MY GOD, YOU WANT TO EAT HIM DON'T YOU?!

Kidding. Try making him eat peanuts or any kind of nuts. They're healthy and good for gaining weight.

Answer 11

I know the feeling.  I have a eight month old that weights 15 lbs.  The doctors placed him on a higher concentrated formula as well as micro lipids added to his milk.  You can speak with your doctors about ways to add extra calories. I wouldn't go and start feeding him highly fattening food.  That can just make for a unhealthy toddler and start bad eating habits early.

Answer 12

protein shakes

Answer 13

Have you changed his diet? Maybe add some more beef and cheese so that you're not exactly giving him McDonalds but giving him foods that are a little more fatty. Did your doc suggest anything?

Answer 14

What percentile is he in for his weight and height? If they fall off the charts like below 3rd percentile or over the 90th percentile then this is when they start worrying.

My Daughter was the same size, but I am skinny and have been all my life so the ped doesn't even bat an eye.

Now if he has been checked out to be normal and nothing else causing his slow weight gain or smallness I don't think I would worry too much.

Also make sure he is getting plenty of liquids- water and nutritious foods- fresh veggies, fruit, things that have denser calories, but are healthy are dried fruits and nuts, avacados, lugumes- beans, make sure he is getting some kind of protein.

Now if he refuses to eat at all and won't drink much then you may need to see a nutritionist which I am surprised if the ped says he needs to gain 10 pounds then she should have sent you.

I have been to one for my Daughter and it is common sense stuff.

Juices and milk should not be served with meals since it fills them up and then they can't get enough calories from there foods.

Food comes first and then water and then allow milk for the ocassional snack.

My Mother fretted and worried over me for many many years and I am still thin at 39 years old. I am lucky to weight 105 and I am 5'5. I am also healthy and have no food issues. My Daughter who is now 6 1/2 is lucky to be 35 pounds. This is just how she is. She is also healthy.