How to get my toddler (17 months) to gain weight the healthy way?

Usually till babies turn two years old (24 months), they vary in growth and weight every now and then. It’s only after two years of age that they grow steadily. There are quite a few reasons why some babies do not gain weight. One could be that the baby does not have a big appetite, his caloric intake is low, or he does not absorb the nutrients he is consuming. You can consult a pediatrician and find out how many calories your baby needs to take in daily and keep a track of it for a few days to determine if he is taking the required amount.

You need to first understand that some foods are high in calories but those are only empty calories. Chocolate, pastry, candy, and doughnut are some such foods that are full of empty calories and highly unhealthy for your baby. Feed your child with more whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, oils, and milk. These are all full of healthy calories. Products like peanut butter, almond butter, and shredded cheese are beneficial for a child’s health. olive oil and canola oil are perhaps the best and healthiest oils that can be included in the daily diet. You do not need any special recipe for this. Simply add either of the oils to vegetables. These add calories but keep saturated fat in check. Fruits like banana, strawberries, a combination of both, and tomato are good for adding healthy calories and nutrition. Some vegetables that will also help your baby gain weight and at the same time are healthy are peas, potatoes, corn and yams. An easy way to add healthy weight is giving him mashed potatoes with cream or butter. Adding yogurt to fruits is also beneficial for gaining weight.

Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, keep it healthy for your child as well. Starting the day with cereal and milk will give the needed proteins that will keep the baby energetic through the day. Also include nuts and seeds in the diet to provide essential fats. Before you do all these, you may need to find out if your child is allergic to any of these food products. Also, it’s advisable to consult your doctor before starting on any new food regimen. It’s very important that your baby inculcates healthy eating habits as soon as possible so that he continues to do so even when he grows up.

answered by G M

You need to provide your toddler with a healthy, balanced diet with all the vitamins and nutrients that your child needs to grow, but it surely is not a simple task. Offer your child nutritious foods but let your child decide how much he/she wants to eat.

Take into account your child's daytime naps and plan his/her meals and snacks at regular intervals. It is best to have three nutritious meals and a couple of small but healthy snacks. Some snacks that you can try are as follows: a small sandwich with boiled vegetables in it, cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, pancakes, bun with a cup of milk, vegetable sticks, and yoghurt with fruit slices or berries.

Include starchy foods such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, yam, breakfast cereals, pasta and rice that are rich in carbohydrates in his diet. You can also give him foods that are made from flour; for example, pancakes, scones and bread. Add sufficient fruits and vegetables to his diet. Cut the fruits into finger foods because your child will enjoy them more this way. You should also include high iron and high protein foods such as nuts, pulse, meat, eggs, and fish. For vegetarians, it is best to include pulse, beans, or nuts. Add dairy products such as whole milk, yoghurt, and cheese to provide the required amount of calcium in his diet.

answered by G M