My 4 year old son is underweight, how can I pack some pounds on him?

Question

My son was a full term baby and weighed 8lb, 9oz when born. However, when he was 3 weeks old he stopped nursing and had to be admitted to the hospital for 8 days. He hasn't eaten the same since then. He is a healthy, active boy and very smart. His 4th birthday was on June 24th and he weighs 29 pounds and is 3.5 feet tall. I give him several small meals/day and he drinks homogenized (3% fat) milk. We've had him to 2 pediatricians and a dietician, not much help. I feel as if they are scrutinizing me, as if i am withholding food from my child which I would never do. His big sister is 7 and weighs 45 pounds and is 4.5 feet tall. I am 5 feet 6 inches and weigh 180 lbs, my husband is 6 feet tall and weighs about 220 pounds. I'm open for suggestions, also, is there anyone else out there having the same problem and came through it?

The doctors never figured out what was wrong when my son was admitted to the hospital at 3 weeks of age. They tested him for everything including metabolic disorders, etc, found nothing. My son gets a multivitamin each day and we give him whatever he wants to eat....if he wants a peanutbutter and jam sandwich followed by a few cookies, we're okay with that. We don't place limits on what he eats....he gets a lot of good food as well, he loves fresh fruit, yogurt and macaroni with cheese to name a few. We have an appointment with a speech pathologist but the wait time is around 8 months to get him in.

Answer 1

Normally I would say lean protein, but it seems to me you don't really have a "diet" problem you have an eating issue. What I mean is this problem can't be fixed by changing what you feed him.

I really can't assess what the problem is based on the information you have given, but that hospital stay has me concerned. Did they ever figure out what was wrong?

I am assuming at this point they have done blood screening to make sure he has enough of the key nutrients like iron.

You should consider speaking to a speech therapist/pathologist. They deal with all things to do with the mouth and throat including chewing and swallowing. Maybe there is something physically going on?

Also you may need to look outside mainstream medicine. You might consider chiropractic care, look for one that specializes in infants. Or ask friends for referrals you are looking for one that uses minimal force, never "cracks" the bones. You also might consider accupressure/accupuncture or herbs. Remember you have nothing to loose from a consultation, except possibly some money. You don't have to follow any treatment options they recommend if you are uncomfortable with them.

Good luck, I hope you can find an option.

Answer 2

He will gain even out as he grows, do not try to pack the pounds on him.... my daughter was tall for her age but was 30 lbs at 4 years old , didnt start gaining some until this year. She is 6 1/2 and weighs 40 lbs. ( she was 10 lbs 9 oz at birth) Some kids are just smaller but will even out later. My son was shorter then most kids until his growth spert at 12-13. How he is 15 and is 6 foot 2. Over 1 year time he shot up.

Answer 3

My oldest weighed 9lb., 1 and 1/2 oz. at birth, 20 pounds at a year, and then only grew lengthwise so didn't hit 30 pounds until age 6. He still eats like a horse. [ I didn't hit 40 pounds until 4th grade ]
At 18, he was 5'7", and 128 pounds.
Now he bodybuilds, and weighs a whopping 150!
He is the healthiest of all his cousins, although smallest, and girls love him [ he's a really good guy - and cute! ].
Just feed him well, and give him vitamins. Make sure you have nutritious snacks available. He has a big Dad, so he will catch up.

Answer 4

Try getting some good high fats in him. If he'll eat nuts - walnuts are really good, they've got those omega3's. Avocado has good natural fat too. Cook everything in olive oil - you get lots of fat, but none of the cholesterol.

Good Carbs: Try to keep away from simple sugars, as they're empty calories. So don't fatten him up on Oreos, but maybe he likes sweet potatoes - mashed, baked, even baked french fries - my daughter loves those (just cut into french fry sticks, toss in some olive oil, a tiny bit of salt and bake for 15 minutes or so in about 350F oven... check them and adjust time as needed). Carrots and corn are also sweet.

Don't try to keep the meals small... I'd try a real hearty breakfast/lunch/dinner with snacks in between and before bed.

It is also possible that he's a skinny kid!! Is he developing ok? Malnutrition has effects on physical, emotional, & intellectual development. Maybe see more doctors.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Yes, he is thin. But, if you force him to eat...then you are going to cause an eating problem. I think kids eat what they need to eat to survive. He is only 4, so I would not worry about it. Just keep doing what you are doing.

I think as long as he is a happy active young boy, he is healthy.

You don't want to "pack" the pounds on him. I think that would cause a bigger problem in life.

If you feel like he needs extra calories and fat, I would switch him over to whole milk rather then 3%. Milk is a good healthy fat, and I don't think it he would even notice the change.

I do not think it is good for the peditrition to say that he is to skinny. I know when my daughter was still an infant (she is still young, she is only 2 now), she was way under weight. She was in close to the 3 percentile weight. But, her ped said to not worry about it. Just keep giving her healthy foods, and she will be fine.

Answer 6

I have a 4yr old who weighs 35lbs while his 2yr old brother weighs 37lbs. It's not that he is picky he just doesn't eat as much as the other children do. I have spoken to many people and they all tell me the same thing, as long as he is growing at the normal rate, his teeth have checked out fine, his nails look good, and he isn't losing his hair he is just fine. Don't sweat it. Some kids just don't eat as much.

Answer 7

i would keep looking and find a ped. that can help you. I would give him carnation instant breakfast at least twice a day. You can also use the carnation to make pudding with to get more cals in him. This is what we did at the nursing home I worked at when we had people that were losing weight. Its high calorie and has added vitamins.

Answer 8

did your doctor suggest iron? Peeing the bed can be normal in any child under 5, or even older. Dark circles CAN be a sign of anemia, but they can also be a sign of other things such as allergies. I'm not clear why enlarged lymph nodes would land him in the hospital. Enlarged lymph nodes are often a sign of viral infection. Are you following up wtih your pediatrician?

Answer 9

As long as he is healthy and eating dont worry about it. My son is 21months old. He is 34inches tall and only about 23lbs, so hes underweight too. I had the same problem with pediatritions thinking i wasnt feeding him enough. but he drinks whole milk, i dont waterdown his juice and he eats more than I do in a day. everything my son eats is going to his height. hes going to be tall and scrawny like his daddy.

Answer 10

Check him out for food allergies, just in case. He might be slightly allergic to something common in a lot of foods so eating won't be as satisfying for him.