My 17 month old son is not gaining weight. He barely eats. How can I slip in more calories?

Question

I try giving him everything. He won't eat cereal. He picks at everything I give him. I am starting to get worried. The dr said do whatever I can to get calories in him. Any tips on sneaking in some calories or getting a picky eater to eat more?

I do give him pediasure and even mix yogurt in to make a pediasure smoothie for added calories. I try giving him sandwiches..cereals...he doesnt seem to want ANYTHING.

he is losing weight..he did not gain anything over the last 3 months and in fact lost a pound.

Answer 1

Farah,
My daughter is almost 4 and this is still a battle in our home! I have found that the best thing I could do is trick her body into taking the calories without filling up her little tummy! Try some of these-
check baby food jars for the items with the highest calories (for instance, sweet potatos) buy several. When you are making dinner, poor some in. A lot of baby foods are sooo bland that they can't taste them anyways. I make mac and cheese and stir in a jar of sweet potatos. added calories! Also, infant cereal is pretty bland (and the same consistancy of flour) and can easily be added to breads, cakes, anything you bake. A few tsp. here and there will add up quick. Word to the wise, avoid falling into the easy rut, of high calorie no nutritional value junk food.
This article has some great info as well!
http://kidshealth.org/parent/food/general/toddler_snacks.html
good luck!

Answer 2

I am hoping that in those 3 months he did get a little taller--his calories could have gone toward his height at the expense of his weight.

Sometimes children drink too much be it milk, water, or juice and then end up not getting enough calories. They may feel full, but are actually just bloated. At 17 months old babies tend to be more active and put on less weight in comparison to their previous growth. Why eat when you can play?

Try this oatmeal recipe, (1/4 cup old-fashioned oats, 4 ounces whole milk and 2 tablespoons raisins.) You could also substitute other fruits.
Serve it with a 2 ounce glass of orange juice.

Try cutting cheese blocks into little cubes for him. Macaroni and cheese made with real butter and whole milk is another high calorie. Try giving him peanut butter or cream cheese mixed with preserves (not jelly) on a spoon.

As for fruit, try oranges. Add cheese and real butter to his vegetables. Give him dressing to dip his veggies in. Give him Breyers (it is all natural) ice cream. I'd shy away from things like white bread. Opt for multi-grain bread with sunflower seed, oats and even raisins in it--again spread peanut butter or cream cheese on it. Calories are important, but overall nutrition is more important. Weight and health have some correlation, but not all. Give him healthy meals with healthy calories. The weight will eventually take care of itself.

Answer 3

I know how frustrating this can be too. Moms in my moms club spend half of our time talking about trying to get toddlers to eat. Is there any foods you know that he really likes? Or eats more than others? Sounds gross but if you can pinpoint those foods put butter on them. Organic butter no margarine will help bulk him up. Continue to serve him whole milk, whole milk puddings and yogurts. The high fat dairy will put on weight and he can get sufficient proteins. Also if you can put smoothies in a sippy with a straw cup, with whl. milk yogurt, bananas, (even ice cream if you are desperate). Leave dry snacks around for him all over the house. Cheerios, goldfish etc. He may just be too busy to eat but will snack on the run if he has it available. Good luck.

Answer 4

many toddlers go through a phase of barely eating anything. my son was like that for about 3 months, when he was 18 months old. i guess there are just so many other things to do, why waste time eating? ha. relax, as long as he isnt losing weight he will be fine. my son weighed the same from 12 month until about 22 months, but he is now right on track at 27 months. talk to your pediatritian again if you are concerned, and he should be able to give you suggestions. rest assured, your son will eat when his body needs it! good luck!

Answer 5

Maybe try having him help you make the snacks, he might be more interested in eating the food that he makes. Things with a lot of color, or in different shapes (like stars or animals using a cookie cutter) could be more interesting to him than just a sandwich cut into small pieces you know? If you make the food fun he might enjoy eating it more and more.

Answer 6

i had the same problem with my oldest the dr told me he will eat when hes hungry. he is 10 now and still doesnt have much of an appetite. give him vitamins. see if you can get him to eat the cereal bars with the fruit in them that was another thing i found that he would eat.

Answer 7

Make him foods that bulk up. Like oatmeal, bananas, mashed potato's. Feed him before bed. But I seriously doubt if there is a problem. His metabolism will adjust according to his needs. Let nature do it is my opinion.

Answer 8

I know it's hard, but try not to let him see that this is important to you. Toddlers will sometimes not do something just because Mommy wants them to. The other suggestions here are great, but also try not to make it a battle of wills. He won't starve himself to death.

Answer 9

Breads and pastas are full of calories..have you tried things like that? It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Cook some pasta and give it to him..it doesn't have to have sauce or anything on it. Does he like sandwiches? Try different kinds of sandwiches like meat & cheese or jelly.

Answer 10

give him some Pediasure.
it's like milk and has all the nutrients that children need when they are picky eaters.

i give it to my son sometimes. he likes it.