Less Weight Loss in Children and Toddlers - Growth and development of the body is one of the main health indicators in children and toddlers. Generally, infants aged 24 months upwards growth is quite stable and consistent. But if you feel your child is slow growth, stagnant, and even declined, consult a doctor Posyandu or needs to be done.
Causes less weight in infants
Doctors can determine whether the weight of your toddler is still considered normal or not. Some children have a thin body naturally due to genetic factors from their parents. In addition, there are several other factors that cause less weight gain in infants:
As long as no serious health problems, you do not need to worry too much. Increasing weight infants is not easy. Besides toddlers are generally very active, they have a small stomach capacity. Their caloric needs may not be fulfilled from eating three times a day.
To that end, increase calories without adding a portion of their food is one of the possible solutions. However, that does not mean you can freely give high-calorie foods that are less healthy such as sugary drinks, candy, and cake because it can damage the teeth. Apply a healthy diet that contain balanced nutrition by providing staple foods, vegetables, fruits, fish, milk, meat, etc.
Increase the calories from fat
Based on the Institute of Medicine, children aged 1-3 years need to meet 30-40% of the calories from fat. Some vitamins also only be digested by fat. Whole milk with a fat needs to be given until the age of 2 years, or more if your child has less weight.
Whole milk or white water can be given after the age of 12 months. Fat content in dairy products could begin to be lowered if the normal child growth and nutrition has been fulfilled. So at the age of 5 years, they could begin to adopt a low-fat diet as adults.
However, if your toddler is expressed less weight, calories can be enhanced with the following tips:
You can ask your doctor or Posyandu whether your child needs supplements and vitamin supplements or not. The United States Department of Health recommends that children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin drops A, C, and D. This vitamin is especially important for children weighing less that nutritional needs are not met.
Get the vitamin can increase the amount of iron that can be absorbed by the body of a toddler, and increase appetite. However, iron supplements are not needed unless recommended by a doctor. Excessive iron can actually hinder the absorption of other minerals, cause constipation, and cause other health problems.
Encourage toddlers to remain actively engaged
Less weight in infants is not a reason for blocking them actively engaged. Physical activity is actually going to help strengthen their bones and muscles. Consult your doctor to know the limits of their activity should do. Do not forget to continue to monitor the development of the next child.
Causes less weight in infants
Doctors can determine whether the weight of your toddler is still considered normal or not. Some children have a thin body naturally due to genetic factors from their parents. In addition, there are several other factors that cause less weight gain in infants:
- Your toddler is very active or have a fast metabolism that required a lot of calories to memenuthi needs.
- Experiencing worms so that the absorption of food and nutrients by the body not optimal.
- Deficiency of certain nutrients like iron that can affect eating habits.
- Habits aggregated-select or food allergies.
- Pain and fever that causes decreased appetite or other health problems.
As long as no serious health problems, you do not need to worry too much. Increasing weight infants is not easy. Besides toddlers are generally very active, they have a small stomach capacity. Their caloric needs may not be fulfilled from eating three times a day.
To that end, increase calories without adding a portion of their food is one of the possible solutions. However, that does not mean you can freely give high-calorie foods that are less healthy such as sugary drinks, candy, and cake because it can damage the teeth. Apply a healthy diet that contain balanced nutrition by providing staple foods, vegetables, fruits, fish, milk, meat, etc.
Increase the calories from fat
Based on the Institute of Medicine, children aged 1-3 years need to meet 30-40% of the calories from fat. Some vitamins also only be digested by fat. Whole milk with a fat needs to be given until the age of 2 years, or more if your child has less weight.
Whole milk or white water can be given after the age of 12 months. Fat content in dairy products could begin to be lowered if the normal child growth and nutrition has been fulfilled. So at the age of 5 years, they could begin to adopt a low-fat diet as adults.
However, if your toddler is expressed less weight, calories can be enhanced with the following tips:
- Add milk or cheese on potatoes or bread.
- Using milk as soup instead of plain water.
- Give food as a source of healthy fats such as avocado or banana snack in between main meals.
- Not to give too much high-fiber foods such as whole grains and brown rice. These foods can make a child feel full longer and loss of appetite. Enough introduced gradually and give it as a major source of carbohydrates after a 5 year old child.
- Although milk is very important at this age, make sure the child does not receive excessive fluid. Some children who drink too much will eat less and do not get the calories they need.
- If the child is intolerant to lactose or specific food allergies, consult with your doctor so that the nutritional needs of children remain fulfilled.
You can ask your doctor or Posyandu whether your child needs supplements and vitamin supplements or not. The United States Department of Health recommends that children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin drops A, C, and D. This vitamin is especially important for children weighing less that nutritional needs are not met.
Get the vitamin can increase the amount of iron that can be absorbed by the body of a toddler, and increase appetite. However, iron supplements are not needed unless recommended by a doctor. Excessive iron can actually hinder the absorption of other minerals, cause constipation, and cause other health problems.
Encourage toddlers to remain actively engaged
Less weight in infants is not a reason for blocking them actively engaged. Physical activity is actually going to help strengthen their bones and muscles. Consult your doctor to know the limits of their activity should do. Do not forget to continue to monitor the development of the next child.