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Suggest An Appropriate Diet For A Newborn To Gain Weight

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Posted on Sat, 6 Jan 2018
Question: Hello Doctor
My wife and I were blessed with baby boy on October 13th 2017. She is taking normal diet and regularly breastfeeding baby. Baby's birth weight was 3.79 kg and currently it is 3.66kg. I am looking for some dietary suggestions to improve Mother's diet which will aid in baby's better development. I read Omega 3 / DHA helps in development of baby's nervous system and mind. How can mother include such nutrients in her diet?She hasn't eaten eggs for last 2 years . If she starts eating Dha fortified eggs now, will it create any issues / allergy to baBy or Mother? What are some other best dietary options for mother which will benefit baby? She is taking Acucal, Anofer, Vitamin D , one more multivitamin. tabs daily. Baby has not crossed birth weight in 3 weeks.. What dietary change to incorporate so baby gains weight quickly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Give high protein diet with extra calories

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for asking HealthcareMagic,

I have gone through the query and do understand your concern.

Nowadays no specific restriction to the diet is needed for a lactating mother but the diet should be healthy that mother should take an extra amount of protein with calorie-rich diet(needs extra 500 kcal/day and 15 gm of protein per day). Spices, carbonated drink, junk foods, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided.

I agree with you that babies need DHA and omega 3 fatty acid for proper growth of the brain.There are different thoughts about the consumption of egg by the lactating mother. Some say that it increases the incidence of allergy in babies.

But there is no such research study and lactating mother can take all the dietary items which she can tolerate well and if the baby is not reacting abnormally to the particular item. If there is no prior history of allergy to eggs you can try that. Apart from fortified eggs; soybean, walnut, and other nuts are also a rich source of omega 3 fatty acid. You can give cod liver oil or DHA/omega 3 supplements are also available in capsule form.

Give plenty of fluids, milk, green leafy vegetables with a good amount of protein and high-calorie diet for enough and good quality milk production.

Baby should regain his birth weight by 14 days of life but it is not always in all cases. So continue to breastfeed and monitor the weight of the baby.

You can continue the multivitamin, multimineral and iron supplements as advised by your physician.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Thanks and regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2074 Questions

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Suggest An Appropriate Diet For A Newborn To Gain Weight

Brief Answer: Give high protein diet with extra calories Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for asking HealthcareMagic, I have gone through the query and do understand your concern. Nowadays no specific restriction to the diet is needed for a lactating mother but the diet should be healthy that mother should take an extra amount of protein with calorie-rich diet(needs extra 500 kcal/day and 15 gm of protein per day). Spices, carbonated drink, junk foods, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided. I agree with you that babies need DHA and omega 3 fatty acid for proper growth of the brain.There are different thoughts about the consumption of egg by the lactating mother. Some say that it increases the incidence of allergy in babies. But there is no such research study and lactating mother can take all the dietary items which she can tolerate well and if the baby is not reacting abnormally to the particular item. If there is no prior history of allergy to eggs you can try that. Apart from fortified eggs; soybean, walnut, and other nuts are also a rich source of omega 3 fatty acid. You can give cod liver oil or DHA/omega 3 supplements are also available in capsule form. Give plenty of fluids, milk, green leafy vegetables with a good amount of protein and high-calorie diet for enough and good quality milk production. Baby should regain his birth weight by 14 days of life but it is not always in all cases. So continue to breastfeed and monitor the weight of the baby. You can continue the multivitamin, multimineral and iron supplements as advised by your physician. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks and regards