If you’ve been told by a medical professional that your toddler is underweight, you’re probably very worried about his health. Toddlers often go through picky eating phases and lose a bit of weight; yet sometimes being underweight is a sign of a serious medical condition causing malabsorption or difficulty eating. While parents should never force a toddler to eat, they can encourage toddlers to gain weight by changing the way they offer meals.
Step 1
Take your toddler to the doctor for a full physical if he has recently lost weight or is underweight. The doctor may diagnose a treatable condition that affects the child’s weight, or he may recommend lifestyle changes. It is always important to make sure there are no underlying conditions before trying to increase your toddler’s weight.
Step 2
Offer foods to your toddler more frequently throughout the day. Registered dietitian Mary Silva states on the website Dr.Spock.com that toddlers normally need to eat about four to six times a day to get adequate nutrition. Yet if your toddler is underweight, he may need to eat snacks more frequently. Toddlers don’t eat large quantities, since their stomachs are so small. Try offering small meals, such as apple slices with peanut butter, every three to four hours.
Step 3
Choose to give higher-calorie food such as dried fruits, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and granola. Increasing your toddler’s calorie intake will help to promote weight gain. The parenting website BabyCenter.com recommends giving your toddler whole milk and full fat cheese instead of low-fat dairy, which will also help increase his calorie intake so that he gains weight.
Step 4
Consider giving your toddler a nutritional drink for toddlers if he isn’t gaining weight adequately. Grocery stores and drugstores carry nutritional drinks that are designed especially for toddlers. These drinks are high in calories as well as vitamins and minerals and come in a variety of child-friendly flavors like vanilla and chocolate.
Step 5
Get rid of all distractions when feeding your toddler. You may need to turn off the television or send your older child to a different room to play. Registered dietitian Mary Silva of Dr.Spock.com states that distractions are a major cause of poor eating in toddlers. This, in turn, can lead to inadequate weight gain. Make sure that the atmosphere is quiet at meal and snack times so that he can focus on eating.
Things You'll Need
- High-calorie foods like whole milk, peanut butter and dried fruits
- Nutritional drinks for toddlers
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