My 2-yr-old is 90% for height, but under 50% for weight. His pediatrician recommended adding Carnation Instant Breakfast to his milk for extra calories, but of course (1) he won't drink it; and (2) I'd prefer to fatten him up w whole foods.
Any ideas on what to feed him for extra calories but not fat? The Dr said he does not need extra fat - and I had high cholesterol as a kid, so I am concerned about that. Everything I can think of w calories (ice cream, avocados, etc) is also high fat.
He needs fat though, good fat. I'd just trying offering whole foods more often, maybe get him to drink a smoothie with berries and whole milk (or yogurt or whatever) and add some coconut oil. Its a very healthy fat.
Eating healthy fat does not mean it will give your child high cholesterol.
Does your toddler *look* unhealthy besides just being skinny? Maybe DC is just naturally skinny?
DS is naturally skinny, there is nothing I can do about it just short of stuffing him with McDonald's, etc. That would for sure fatten him up.
We eat a very healthy, varied diet wich includes lots of good fats like saturated fat. Saturated fat is good fat and the most stable. Whole raw milk/yogurt/cheese, homemade stock, fermented foods, beans, lots of vegetables, grass fed meats, good eggs, crispy nuts, and some fresh/dried fruit. I sneak coconut oil in oatmeal, smoothies, bake and cook with it, anywhere I can (I eat it just by itself sometimes).
Just keep feeding DC a healthy, well rounded, whole foods diet. He is *skinny* according the US guidelines which we all know isn't always the healthiest and does not account for genetic differences.
I don't understand why being under 50% in weight is a bad thing (all my kids have been under 50%), did he suddenly fall to below 50% after being 90% or something or is he actually losing weight? It's not uncommon for a toddler's weight gain to slow or even stall for a while. If your do a search in the toddler forum you'll find a lot of threads about this very thing.
I would add good fats if you are worried about it though.
Thanks Mamas! I agree, it is nothing to worry about. I meant to add to my first post that I am 6 feet tall, and my husband is 6'4", so we were both tall, skinny kids. Obviously our kid is going to be tall and skinny!
I appreciate the suggestions about good fats and whole foods - I will try that.
Weird. I don't get why your ped is concerned. My kids have never been in the same (or even close, really) percentiles for height and weight. I'd be concerned if this was a sudden decline or if the percentile was really low, but what you describe sounds normal to me.
I think your idea of whole foods is great. I don't see why fatty whole foods like avocado would be a problem. Is he following his normal "curve" or is he dropping and that is why they are concerned? Do you think this is just his body type or does he look, act fatigued and sickly? That is a better indication of poor growth than a chart.
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