need some advice on my premature son!

[beckieandjoelmole]

hi,i have a 22 month old boy who was born 2 months early he was 3lbs 6oz when born he has always had a weight gain but has always been on the 0.4th and 2nd centile line,i got him weighed last month after not going for 5 months and he only weighs 19lbs hes lost weight since the last weigh in november,i have a friend whos 7 month old baby is 23lbs who says its easy for me having a small child them having a big baby,i dont understand that lol as its not easy. the health vistitor said to try feed him more....i rele dont know what i can feed him to make him put weight on she said to give him fatty food and mcdonalds but i dont want him getting used to that and become un healthy as he likes his fruit and vegetables. i took him to the doctors about it the said he needs to see a dietican to try rule out a digestive problem....has anyone got any advice on what i could feed him that will help put weight on him and that is also healthy? thank you :)

[LeBFG]

My DS was born at 33 weeks 4lb 4. He grew really well for the first 7 months then plateaued out at 19lb 8. The paediatrician said to feed him purees (we were doing BLW) and to mix in a teaspoon of oil/cream/butter to increase his calories. The next weigh-in is in May, so we'll find out if he has put on. If not, they want to do a barrage of tests for allergies and the like. Bit alarming!

I would personally agree with you that feeding your DS burgers doesn't set up the right eating habits, particularly when premmies are more likely to suffer obesity later on in life.

[beckieandjoelmole]

oh no i hope he doesn't need to have the tests,its really worrying as you have seen them go through enough already hope he has put weight on. yeah dont really like the idea of mcdonalds not a healthy idea :( good luck with the weigh in in may!

[LeBFG]

Thanks Beckie - it is a worry but I suppose it's best knowing if he has a problem than not knowing. And I promised myself I would never become a mum worried about the food their DC ate! Good luck with your DS.

The idea, I suppose, is to do the opposite to dieting - plop rich, creamy sauces on pasta, grate cheese into buttery potatoes, scramble eggs with butter and sausages. Have snacks like full fat yoghurts and creamy mashed avocados on toast. Avoid lots of fresh fruit (my DS could live off pear at the moment), perhaps dried fruits have more calories? What about creamy banana smoothies?

[crazymum53]

A weight loss at around 22 months is not abnormal because at this age dcs are more mobile and active so need to be taking in more calories.
We did get referred to dietitian but this was for advice with weight gain and nothing to do with allergies.
Advice as for previous poster to add cream and cheese sauces to make sure the maximum number of calories for each mouthful. Milk products should be full fat (not skimmed or semi-skimmed). However there are healthy, high calorie foods out there such as pasta and rice which are good for toddlers. Mashed potatoes with added milk, butter or cheese works well and also roasting vegetables is a good way to add calories. If your ds likes fruit then you could try offering him something like custard with his banana or baking a fruit crumble.