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Suggest Ways To Gain Weight In An Infant

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Posted on Wed, 17 Feb 2016
Question: Hi I have 9 months completed boy baby he looks very thin his weight is 7.5 birth weight 3 please suggest some remedy to increase his weight
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need to know the birth weight

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.

The birth weight of a baby should triple by 10-12 months of age. Hence I would request you to mention the birth weight of the baby.

Before commenting on weight gain methods, I would need details of the food he takes. Also mention the frequency of taking feeds and passing urine.

I will await your response.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 minutes later)
birth weight 3 kg I'm giving rice wheat porridge boiled apple carrot potato and banana and idly along with that breastfeeding 2 to 3 hours once
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You need not worry

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

The weight gain seems fine. In another 2-3 months he is likely to gain the 1.5 kg needed to triple his birth weight. The feeds are also proper except for the fact that you need not boil apples, grating is fine. Boiling unnecessarily decreases the food value. Continue intermittent breast feeding along with semisolids and he will be fine.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)
Thanks doctor you also suggest some foods which increases weight also he is standing with support sitting on his own fastly moving and taking objects but still not crawling is it a developmental delay ppl around me saying he is very slow
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Development is proper for age

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

The baby is supposed to be able to sit on his own without support by 8 months of age and able to stand on his own without support by 12 months. It seems to be just fine. He is doing well and milestones are proper.

A sample menu for 9 months or older baby is as follows:

Breakfast: Your baby’s first meal of the day can include foods such as unsweetened oats prepared with breast milk, formula or water, whole grain pancakes with some pureed fruits or eggs with softened veggies.
Lunch: This meal may include sandwiches made with soft bread, boiled broth with noodles and vegetables or macaroni and cheese. Use only mild cheeses.
Dinner: This can include pasta or rice with cooked vegetables, baked potato with cheese or lasagna with meat or spinach. Run the foods through a processor to make it soft and easy to eat.
In such cases, you can follow a high fiber diet for 9 month old baby. Such a diet must include more of foods such as uncooked vegetables, fruits and prunes. These assist in proper bowel movements. Fruits for 9 month old baby are extremely healthy, but there are some fruits which must be avoided such as strawberries and citrus fruits.

Healthy foods with nutrients: By 9 months, babies are usually eating two solid meals in a day. These should have a high vitamin and mineral (especially iron) content. Babies are very active at this age, and it is also essential that they have plenty of carbohydrates. Proteins are required for tissue and bone building. You can give your infant starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. Lamb, pork, beef, chicken, eggs and fish will aid in brain development. Fruits like apples, bananas, pears, plums, cantaloupes, apricots and papayas, and vegetables like beans, peas, eggplants, carrots and zucchini will supply them with essential vitamins and minerals.

Texture of food: Till now you have been feeding your baby with food which is thoroughly mashed and strained. But now you can try experimenting with coarser textures. At this stage you can also give your baby the same foods that the rest of the family is eating, if it is not too over-spiced. After cooking the food till it is soft, don’t blend it. Rather, mash it with a fork, or cut it into small pieces.

Finger foods: You can introduce finger foods at this juncture - boiled peas, carrots and beans cut into small bits, sliced bananas or plums. Baby now loves to see different colors, shapes and textures of food.

Full fat milk: At this stage, baby still needs to drink plenty of milk. However, if you have been breast-feeding, you can begin the process of weaning. You can now introduce cow’s milk. It is preferable to give full fat milk, since babies need it for growth. You can also begin to give butter. However, try to limit sweets like cake or candy.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (9 hours later)
Thanks very much doctor sday night I pissed off since he not slept n I screamed a lot by seeing that my baby cried a lot will it affect him mentally
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Do not make it a pattern

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Whatever you do, eat or think - causes chemical changes in your body. These changes are partially transmitted to your baby via your breast milk. Moreover, your baby has senses and such acts may induce a sense of insecurity which could adversely affect his personality development. It is not that one such act will cause a significant adversity but keep it in mind for the future and act accordingly.

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. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Gain Weight In An Infant

Brief Answer: Need to know the birth weight Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on Health care magic. The birth weight of a baby should triple by 10-12 months of age. Hence I would request you to mention the birth weight of the baby. Before commenting on weight gain methods, I would need details of the food he takes. Also mention the frequency of taking feeds and passing urine. I will await your response. Regards