My Two Year Old Needs to Gain Weight

My daughter is small too. She is 3 and weighs 28lbs. She is healthy though. If you are really concerned, have you considered going to the health food store and buying a vegetarian (since you stated you were vegetarian) protein shake for him to drink as a snack? Just a thought.

I had a preemie (3 lbs) who was very low weight for her first several months. We she began eating table food, I was told to try feeding her high-fat healthy foods like avocado and banana. I don't know if you allow her to drink milk, but giving her whole milk instead of low or no fat is good, too. After consuming tons of quacamole and refried beans at mexican restaurants, my daughter really put on the weight.

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Hi S.,
My family is also vegetarian. My son is 17 months old and is in the 15th percentile. I try not to concern myself with the numbers however, because he is healthy, strong, energetic, and appears happy, sleeps well and has a good appetite. I often wonder if the guidlines of weight might be based on an "american diet?" Assuming he is eating well and seems to have normal energy, I wouldn't worry. But what does your doctor think? And if you ever feel like something might be wrong...go with your gut. On the natural side, try to feed him good foods (I don't know if you're Lacto-Ovo or what?) but don't cut back on fat. Whole milk, whole milk yogurt, cheese. alvacado, tofu, and beans beans beans! I read some peoples suggestions on liquid supplements and it just doesn't sound right to me.. (no offense) but high calorie nutritional drinks seem too unatural for my way of eating. Well good luck to you and it's great to know others are trying, and succeding in raising vegeterian children! Email me anytime. I'd love to hear from a like minded mother!
B..

My son is also underweight, and recently we have supplemented with Pediasure. It is expensive (but worth it), there is even generic brand at Kroger...anyway, he loves it. It is too soon to see any weight gain, but he'll get there.

We had the same problem with our daughter. We started having her drink pediasure instead of milk (or you can add Carnation Instant Breakfast drink to whole milk). Our doctor also had us add two tablespoons of butter to any meal, or a calorie additive called Polycose to fruit juice. Good luck!

I know boys are different than girls, but if it makes you feel better, my daughter is 26 months and just barely weighs 23 pounds as well. Her doctor said not to worry about it unless she stops gaining weight.

Good luck!

Hi S.,

If your son is hitting his developmental milestones don't fret about it. Kids grow at different rates.

Your name sounds Indian so I will go with the assumption that you are of that heritage. There are lots of legume based items that kids like and that are good for them too in South Indian food like: Idli, dosa (from Urad or Green Moong).

Another item to try to introduce into his diet is Quinoa (keen-wa) that can be found in Whole Foods. It is the only grain that is a complete amino-acid source and ver good for you. Look online for recipe. You can also steam it with Toor daal (dry not oily) and a vegetable to make it a full meal dish or make it like an upma.

Good luck.

Dear S.,

The other ladies gave good advice about the foods so I won't add to that. But I wanted to add a caution. When I was a child, I was underweight and my parents over did it by making me eat more food and "clean my plate". I learned some really bad habits back then and now struggle with obesity and poor health as a result. So....just be sure you don't overdo it.
Its good you have him on a healthy diet. Those are good habits for life.

I would suggest carefully adding more nuts/nut butters to your sons diet. Those are full of healthy fats and good protein. Also, does he eat beans? These are another good source of protein. You should rotate both the types of nuts/nut butters and beans he eats to avoid potential allergies. Also, if you don't mention if you're ovo-lacto or completely vegan. If you're ovo-lacto, then make sure he eats eggs and dairy regularly. These also have healthy fats, although dairy is sometimes not tolerated. As another poster mentioned, fat is really important for brain development. I'm also assuming you're no longer breastfeeding. I do know that in cultures where a vegetarian diet is a norm, children often breastfeed until 3 or 4 - I believe that helps to provide healthy fats in their diet.

My older son was vegetarian by choice for a while and he too was extremely thin during that period (he was 10 at the time). We later learned that a vegetarian diet wasn't so healthy for him as he was eating alot of vegetarian foods which are derived from wheat and he has an intolerance to wheat gluten. Just a thought if he continues to not gain weight.

S.,

There are many different types of vegetarians...so I don't know if you are 100% or if you still eat fish, etc...

If so, I would push the fish up a bit. If you do not eat fish, I would utilize a lot of TOFU. Tofu is a great source of protein. It seams like protein is what he is lacking. The best thing for that is tofu, as well as beans/legumes. Hope this helps a bit!

M.

My little girl is 2 and is on the small side as well. She is usually in the 5th percentile. I just started her on Pediasure recently, and noticed an extreme difference in her weight gain. I am not sure if you do dairy or not though.

It is basically like a chocolate milk drink that is a complete meal. She loves them, and asks for "teddy bear chocolate milk" all of the time (there is a teddy bear on the bottle). They are a little expensive, but I find coupons all of the time, and it is a complete nutritional meal for the day. Plus, I can't really put a price on the fact that I know for sure that she is being nourished. Hope that helps!

Does the doctor say he's too thin? Are you and your husband thin? Is he on par developmentally (physically and cognitively)? I know kids slow down gaining a lot after they're 1 or 2 years old.
A vegetarian diet is a healthy one, but is there any fat in his diet as well? I've heard that fat is necessary for brain development too (this is the reason cited for keeping kids on full-fat dairy products until age 2).
Maybe add cheese for snacks or on sandwiches.

Do you have ice cream treat nites? There are many brands with many choices. Also pediasure will help. Allow a soda drink *clear coloring* once a day. Mixed nuts...protein and yummy.
Is he having 4 small meals a day? or just 3...maybe make a smaller meal and have 2 in place of 1.