Aitch, I know you're very very busy right now but I need some help with underweight blw-er. Advice welcome from anyone else who can offer advice too.

[Dragonbutter]

DS2 (18months) has been poorly which resulted in his being assessed by paediatrics today. Turns out to be a viral illness but they picked up that he was underweight, now 0.4th centile or something. Something i knew anyway, but hate having him weighed because he's always been low on the centile chart and i can see his ribs and it worries me, then i realise he's developing fine and eating well and there's not much i can do, and we carry on, and decide not to have him weighed again.

Anyway, he's pretty much been baby led weaned purely out of laziness and being all AK'd out on DS1 (i had a mouli . He loves fruit and veg but leaves meat or fish on his plate or on the floor. Likes pasta, rice and dried fruit. He's not keen on sloppy food (sauces etc), he likes to be able to get a grip of his food.

How on earth do i help him gain weight? He insists on feeding himself and loves using a fork but i'm concerned that most of the food might be going on the floor.

Feeling guilty that i might be doing something wrong. i've always thought he was a good eater

Ok, here goes
0,9 l Milk - bring to the boil
2 1/2 dl Arborrio Risotto rice - add to boiling milk (it has to be risotto rice, otherwise wont stick. normal rice will just be rice boilt in milk)

Cook and stir well for 20 minutes.
Spread relatively thickly onto a plate. (not in a bowl)

Add:
Dollop of butter/margarine that will melt
Sprinkle on Sugar
Sprinkle on Cinnamon

oh go on then quint.

he's refusing pancakes. but is managing the occasional bit of toasted brioche. maybe he's just posher than me and he's not impressed at the lack of drizzled truffle oil on his cheerios.

risotto rice not pudding rice?

You need to add fresh strawberries to his cherios.

RISOTTO RICE. NOT pudding rice.

ok.
are you shouting at me?

No I was whisperring loudly.
I am having a shocked moment. The very THOUGHT of pudding rice.

So, I am hammering in my point loudly. Risotto rice.

looks an easy one, i'll give it a go

Hi Dragonbutter - just found this thread and wondering how you are getting on.

Your DS's tastes sound similar to my DDs. She's 18 months and likes to feed herself, but a lot of the time she just can't be arsed because eating just isn't that interesting compared to everything else.

Did your DS go for the cinnamon porridge?

Have you tried giving him a range of things to dip in hummous? (veg, pitta bread etc). My DD thinks dipping stuff is fun (briefly).

well he's eating today.
all stuff i'd rather he didn't have but i figured he needs the energy and i just want him to eat.
today he's had sugar puffs, toast and honey, toast and nutella, a load of grapes on our way round tescos (a whole other thread i know), chips and a milkybar dessert thingy.
i know, it's mostly sugar today.

and today he's finally got a bit of sparkle back in his eyes and a bit of colour to his cheeks.

i haven't got any risotto rice for the cinnamon porridge and i forgot to get some today.

i tried him with some things to dip in hummous yesterday but he was in the mood to refuse everything, i'll wait til he's feeling better i think.

This may be controversial, but has your DH discovered ketchup yet? DD loves dipping things (mostly her fingers) in it. Might be a vehicle for other goods?

Ketchup Bumper? Wash your mouth out!

Sounds like he's improving. I have skimmed the thread, and just wanted to add the suggestion (apologies if its been done) to keep a constant stream of snacks coming. Little cheese or houmous sarnies, raisins, rice cakes, grapes etc etc. Many toddlers like to 'graze', I've heard this is a more natural way for them to eat, rather than a regimented 3 meals a day. Perhaps 5 small meals might be something to try?

Good luck with it. Nothing stresses us out like food with our babies.

so he's now eating porridge but only if you pretend it's yours and go off and eat it and let him find you so he thinks it's his idea