What to Do if My Toddler is Underweight?

Well, we're pretty sure that you'd do anything that it takes to keep your baby healthy and growing! Mothers always only want to feed their children, almost all the time. If your baby is underweight, it becomes incredibly stressful for you to handle it because you start feeling guilty about whether you are doing your job the right way or not. But before diving into such conclusions, you must be sure whether your baby is actually underweight or not.

When is your child qualified as underweight?

The doctor will consider your baby's growth pattern and height and weight since your baby was born. All these numbers are then put on a growth chart, and your paediatrician will now tell you whether your baby is growing well or not.

Ways to help your toddler gain weight the healthy way

Here is a list of some elementary solutions that you can follow to ensure that your toddler gains weight!

1. Increase the calorie count in meals

Getting your baby to eat more food when he's already ignoring food isn't ideally the best option. However, what can be done is that you introduce a high-calorie diet that is nutritious as well. This way, your baby gets the proper nutrition and puts on weight as well. Full-fat dairy products like cream cheese, paneer, and milk puddings are a few options.

1. Set a routine for your toddler's mealtime

It is best to set a routine for your baby as early in life as possible. This will help you monitor your baby's eating habits and fix a proper timetable for your baby. A routine will also ensure that hunger strikes your child at the right time, and hence, he'd be able to eat correctly at every meal.

1. Create a relaxed atmosphere for your baby

Today's life has become so hectic that we can't focus on one thing at one point, no matter how much we want. Kids are easily distracted if they find something attractive, like screens. Anything that could divert your child from eating should be kept away. Similarly, if you keep all your work and distractions aside too, it creates a peaceful environment for your baby to concentrate on his food.

1. Try some weight gain supplements

On the paediatrician’s advice, some weight gain supplements for your toddler can be a good idea. Vitamin A, C, and D are the most crucial vitamin supplements that your child should be getting at this age.

1. Feed them healthy snacks

Don't ban snacks completely. Junk snacks can be prohibited and replaced with healthy options such as granola bars, peanut crackers, etc., to ensure that your child gets attracted to food!

If done the right way, there is nothing in this world that a mother can't do! Making sure that your baby gains weight is just another thing if you'd let it be!

You may also like to read: https://mylofamily.com/article/13223

References

1. Susatia B, Riswari RM. (2021). Green Bean Juice as Supplementary Food to Increase the Weight of Underweight Toddlers. https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/7494

2. NHS. (2020). Underweight children aged 2 to 5. www.nhs.uk

3. Agustin, Eka and Ulfiana, Elida and Has, Eka Mishbahatul Mar’ah. (2015). MOTHER’S BEHAVIOR IN THE FULFILLMENT OF NUTRITION FOR UNDERWEIGHT TODDLER BASED ON HEALTH PROMOTION MODEL. http://ners.unair.ac.id/