The child is too thin: What should I do?

Parents should be sure their child gets a healthy and balanced diet.If you think your child is too thin and poorly gaining weight, it causes a lot of anxiety.There is evidence that the shortage of weight in early childhood can affect some aspects of child development.Therefore, experts emphasize the importance of a balanced diet that includes all the essential nutrients in accordance with age.

Before you start to panic, you need to make sure that the child is really little weight for his age.Ask your doctor to measure the child's weight and height to match the values ​​of the norm.Do not measure yourself as a doctor to do it on equipment designed especially for children.

doctor will measure the height and weight of the child, compare the results with previous figures, as well as your weight and the weight of your partner.Some children are genetically predisposed to thinness, especially if their parents are evil (or were thin as a child).Only after that a doctor can tell whether your baby weighs a little for her age (or if there is such a risk).

due to insufficient weight of the child may be the following:

- Did the baby just does not get enough calories from food.Some active children very fast metabolism.And if they burn more calories per day than they receive from food, they lose weight.If the periods when the child is fussy eating habits to last a long time (this is called electoral power), it also may also lead to weight loss, which can be an ordeal for the whole family.

- The child may lose too many calories.This can be caused by temporary discomfort, such as upset stomach causes vomiting and diarrhea.Diarrhea can lead to malabsorption of food.This means that the organism is unable to ensure the absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream.From this also lost weight.

- Children with poor health, chronic infections or with heart disease need more calories.Sometimes a small weight may indicate an underlying disease, which is why it is important to seek medical advice if you are concerned about a child's weight.

If the doctor suspects some kind of disease, it will direct you to the appropriate specialist.Whatever the cause of weight loss, more high-calorie food can help.Children up to three years a small stomach, while a child at this age can be very active.So if your baby is gaining weight slowly, do not give him more food, but just feed him a high-calorie food.

There are several ways to do this:

- Make sure the dairy products that you give your child - yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese - untrimmed.

- Try adding a little oil or butter in a main course.If you add half a teaspoon of oil in the meat or vegetable dish, the child will not notice.

- Use mashed potatoes as a base, to which can be added, such as grated cheese or baked beans.

- Fill the dish of raw vegetables with homemade mayonnaise or sour cream.

- Try to give your child an avocado - it has a lot of calories, vitamins and nutrients.You can add avocado salad in salad dressing, mashed potatoes, or make him a sandwich (on a piece of bread in the toaster of dried, put thin slices of avocado).

- For dessert, let the baby mashed banana with fat yogurt or cottage cheese.

- Let your child snacking between meals.But to be a savory snack, sweet as reduces appetite and can cause dental caries.

Do not be tempted to give the baby a bottle at bedtime or additional cup of milk.It may come in his habit, and he will eat less solid food during the day.

Do not include the child's diet, such fiber-rich foods like whole wheat pasta or brown rice as it may lower the ability of the stomach to absorb the necessary vitamins and minerals.

may be helpful to give your child vitamins, intended for children aged one to three years, if he is breastfed or drinking cow's milk as a main drink.(Children who are fed formula milk, do not require additional vitamins as vitamins mixture already contains.) It can increase the amount of iron entering the body from food, which in turn will improve the child's appetite.

Children need to feel calm and relaxed, to eat and drink with pleasure.Try to meet regularly at the table with the whole family.Despite the fact that the child's poor appetite can bother you, do not force the baby to eat.Turn off the television, focus on the food and conversation.Let family communication at the table will become your tradition.

Do not forget that children from one year to three years can not be a long time to focus on something, so they get bored sitting at the table.And so the child will eat more if it will be five or six small meals a day instead of the traditional three times a thorough breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As the baby start to involve it in the process of cooking and grocery shopping.Do not forget to offer him a variety of foods, including those who may not like you the most.

Articles Source: babycenter.ru