such a thing as homemade 'build-up' shakes/soups?

[YouCantTeuchThis]

DS4 still pretty poorly after a run of ear infections and bugs, and has lost a bit of weight. He is very slim and can't really afford it (I think just over 15kg).

I can't get to a shop (island!) and can't get a delivery before end of week.

Can you make these things at home? And, if so, how?

Thanks

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

I guess protein and good fats are the way forward?

Homemade banana milkshake - ripe banana, milk, and blend on high speed so it's lovely and frothy.

A good hearty chicken soup made from stock using the bones.

avocado's

[MarthaFarquhar]

I see your banana milkshake, and raise you a peanut butter milkshake.
A couple of spoons of peanut butter, milk and vanilla ice-cream if you've got it, whizzed in the blender.

[dobby2001]

A dietitian once advised me to increase the protein content of full fat milk for a poorly relative by adding 4 tablespoons of dried milk powder (its usually fat reduced but that makes it more palatable and easier to mix in). She advised you could then use the "fortified milk" in anything like milk shakes, baking, porridge, mashed potatoes etc to increase the nutriional value.

Other tip to gain weight was to basically go high protein and high fat wherever possible, but to also recognise high fat was often more filling and less palatable for anyone recovering from illness so not to overdo the fat if they had problems digesting it

hth

[luciemule]

I've asked this before as my son similar (5yrs and weighs about 2.5 stone). He's growing but is super skinny with not an ounce of spare fat anywhere! When I asked about protein/build up shakes for children, everyone kind of implied that they were wrong but to be honest, as long as it's addition to the normal diet, I'm not so sure. Hospitals must use something similar for feeding up children who are admitted to hospital due to low weight.
Anyway - bit off topic as you're asking about homemade. I love the peanut butter milkshake idea - am going to try that for my ds and also the milk powder thing too. I did leave my DS on follow on forumla until he was nearly 3 as I knew it was fortified compared to normal cow's milk (even though I'm anti formula usually).

[luciemule]

Ah Pixie - is that Gold top? I didn't think about it having more fat - just thought it wasn't blended like blue top? Actually we used to have gold top when I was little (maybe why my thighs are huge!)- p'raps I'll get some of that too for DS.

[luciemule]

Cool - will get some when next in the shop. I remember having it on my Bran Flakes with sugar and it tasting like nothing else I had ever tasted!

[drloves8]

you should be able to get refered to a dietition via the gp. they can prescibe build up milkshakes and food additives like peadiasure and procal.
another tip i was given from dietion is if you are giving milk , add some cream to it....try to get your ds to eat 3 meals + puddings and snacks...not always possible , but give it a go.
peanut butter is the best thing for putting on weight tbh.

[YouCantTeuchThis]

thanks everyone - he loves peanut butter so we'll go heavy on that! Unfortunately, so do I...which explains why I look like I may have consumed his portions from birth

My biggest challenge at the moment is just getting his appetite back on track...he doesn't have a huge repertoire at the best of times, but he seems to have gone off the notion of most of the things he usually eats (soups, homemade chicken fried rice, creamy curries, sausages).

I'd be very surprised if my GP was willing to refer - she gets a bee in her bonnet about child food issues.

Hopefully he'll manage a few easter eggs

[alypaly]

you could use this as a guide line for milk shakes www.cancerhelp.org.uk/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/diet/managing/weight/high-calorie-drinks

[alypaly]

i know its a cancer website but it has good ideas for build up drinks

[YouCantTeuchThis]

THanks again - they are all useful!

Realised today that he now lighter than my 1yo - there was never much in it but he always managed to stay one step ahead...

[chimchar]

my ds was really underweight when he was a toddler, and my hv told me to give hiom minadex...its a sort of tonic for children with lots of vits and minerals in it, including iron...apparently, iron stimulates the appitite, so he will become more hungry, and therefore want to eat more...

she also told me to do the opposite to everything you would do if you were dieting...loads of butter and cheese in mash, full fat creamy yogurts, cream in soups etc...

it worked a treat with my lad...he is still skinny as hell, but no longer worryingly thin.

good luck!