Foods to help your baby gain weight

15 Foods to Make Baby Gain Weight – Cafe Baby®

by Jeannie Marrugo
Mar 10, 2022

If you need to add foods to Baby’s diet to help them in gaining weight, be sure to add these to your grocery list or to your next Café Baby order. Sometimes every extra calorie counts in their tiny bellies.

If your child needs to be on high calorie fortified infant formula or breast milk, please talk to your pediatrician first. You need to know the right recipe to prevent an excess intake of nutrients to prevent constipation and dehydration.

1. Avocado

Avocados are a sugar-free healthy choice that contributes 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat and 0.5 gram of polyunsaturated fat per 25-gram serving to Baby's diet.

2. Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are a plant-based protein, or non-heme iron source, rich in most B-vitamins, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain two that are commonly deficient in babies: folate and iron.

3. Eggs

Not only are eggs a prime source of the best-quality proteins after breast milk, but one egg contains thirteen essential minerals like copper, zinc, selenium, calcium, iron, cholesterol, fat, fatty acids, and vitamins like vitamin D, B12, E, choline and folate.

4. Bananas

Bananas are loaded with nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, and vitamin B6 and can help babies gain weight by increasing calorie density.

5. Mango

Mangoes are rich in fibres and digestive enzymes, which means Baby won't have any trouble going number two. Mangoes are very low in fat but contain lots of good calories which can help Baby gain weight.

6. Lentils

Lentils are low in sodium and saturated fat, and high in potassium, fiber, folate, and plant chemicals called polyphenols that have antioxidant activity.

7. Ground Meat

Did you know it's important to add iron- and zinc-rich foods to Baby's diet? At about six months of age, Baby starts to run out of their natural iron stores that they were born with. Ground meats are an important source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed into the body than non-heme iron (plant-based protein).

8. Whole Milk Yogurt

The best option is plain, unsweetened, pasteurized yogurt (regular or Greek) made from whole milk and containing "live cultures. " Yogurt made from whole milk is best for Baby because they need the calories and fat in full-fat dairy products.

9. Full-fat Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese has plenty of healthy fats and protein, plus some B vitamins, calcium, selenium, and zinc. To avoid loads of salt, look for options that are:

Pasteurized
Low in sodium (ideally less than 100mg sodium per serving)
Made from whole milk
Without added preservatives or sugars

10. Mashed Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes provide nothing but good calories, making it a healthy food option for Baby. The high amount of calories in sweet potatoes help in weight gain and physical development in children.

11. Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes might be mostly white, but that doesn’t mean they don't contain nutrients. They are are a source of fiber-rich carbs, which are one of the best sources of fuel for Baby’s brain.

12. Mashed Butternut Squash

The Omega-3 fats that are found in butternut squash are present in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, and this is what helps to reduce inflammation.

13. Peanut or Almond Butters

Nut butters can be a source of fibre, protein and healthy fats, as well as minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and vitamin E. If you're worried about food allergies, check out our blog series about starting solids and allergies.

14. Fresh Goat Cheese

Fresh goat cheese has lots of protein and healthy fats, plus calcium, copper, iron, and vitamins A, B2, and B6—essential nutrients to power your baby’s growth. When selecting goat cheese for Baby, look for a cheese that is:

Pasteurized
Low sodium (less than 100mg per serving)
Whole fat

15. Cooked Quinoa

Quinoa is a good source of calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. It's also a great source of Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids, which are good for Baby's brain and eye development.

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Sources:

https://patient. uwhealth.org/healthfacts/343

https://solidstarts.com/foods/kidney-beans/

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/banana-for-babies-when-to-introduce-health-benefits-and-more/#How_Much_Banana_Can_a_Baby_Eat_in_a_Day

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/mango-for-babies-health-benefits-and-recipes/#Nutrition_Facts_of_Mango

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/lentils/

https://newwaysnutrition.com/babies/meat-baby/

https://solidstarts.com/foods/cottage-cheese/

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/sweet-potato-for-baby-benefits-and-recipes/#Nutritional_Value_of_Sweet_Potato

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/butternut-squash-for-babies-health-benefits-and-recipes/#Nutritional_Value_of_Butternut_Squash

https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/baby-feeding/when-can-babies-eat-potatoes#benefits

https://www.srnutrition.co.uk/2021/04/peanut-butter-for-babies-when-to-introduce-it-and-which-type/

https://solidstarts. com/foods/goat-cheese/

https://www.momjunction.com/articles/is-quinoa-safe-for-babies_00120055/

The Best Foods for Your Baby to Gain Weight

It’s hard to imagine that your little one could be any cuter — but you might be wondering whether they’re growing as fast as they should.

If you’re worried that your baby might weigh too little, bear in mind that newborns normally lose 3–7% (and up to 10%) of their birth weight in their first few days of life, which they regain by about the end of their second week (1, 2, 3).

Until they reach the 6-month mark, infants should gain about 1 pound (0.45 kg) or more each month. They should weigh about triple their birth weight around the end of their first year (1, 2, 3).

Keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and a healthy baby may have different weight gain numbers depending on their birth weight, rate of linear growth, and other factors.

You can ask your baby’s pediatrician about weight gain at any time, such as at their well-baby exam.

If you and your healthcare practitioner have ruled out medical reasons for your baby’s slow weight gain, such as heart or digestive issues, consider feeding them calorie-dense whole foods. These may encourage healthy weight gain (4).

Here are the 7 of the best foods to help your baby gain weight. We’ve grouped them below by age group.

A baby under 6 months that’s putting on less weight than average can be troubling. Since all or most of their calories at this point come from breastmilk, formula, or both, what you can control right now is how often they feed and whether they’re getting enough (4).

1. Breastmilk or infant formula — often and enough

Breastfed newborns will feed every 2–3 hours, so account for 8–12 or more feedings per day for the first 4 months.

Be sure to let your infant fully empty your breast. One reason this is recommended is because hindmilk, which comes out last during a feeding, may be richer than foremilk, which comes out first.

Let your baby feed fully, until your breast feels very soft. This will ensure they’re getting all the milk available, and it sends your body a message to make more.

You can try consuming foods that are thought to increase breastmilk production. These include lactation teas or bars with fenugreek, blessed thistle, or fennel. Oatmeal and dark beer may also help. Still, more research on these solutions is needed (5).

Additionally, avoid wearing tight-fitting bras or tops.

Until your baby begins solid foods, they will not need to drink water. Offer them breastmilk or formula instead to maximize the number of calories you’re getting into their tiny tummies.

Your doctor may also ask about any latching issues and investigate any underlying medical issues that may affect your baby’s nutrient absorption or metabolism at this age.

Speak with a pediatrician for guidance if you’re considering whether to supplement breastfeeding with formula or wondering which formula to choose.

These choices are complicated and depend on many personal factors, and a doctor can help you make informed decisions. You may also consider talking with a lactation consultant.

Most babies will start to show readiness to eat solid foods around the 6-month mark.

Speak with your healthcare professional about when to start your baby on complementary solid foods.

2. Avocado

Whether you’re taking a baby-led weaning approach, a more traditional puréed foods style, or a combination of the two — avocado is a great transitional food for babies starting on solids.

What’s more, avocado’s healthy fats and relatively mild taste make this a great food for when you’re trying to get your baby to gain weight (6, 7).

Mash it up or serve it in thick spears. You can also add it to other foods, such as rice cereal or another fruit.

It’s a good idea to introduce new foods one at a time. This way, if your child has any sort of allergic reaction, you have a better sense of what might have caused it.

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal cereal is another wonderfully rich food that’s easy to add to your baby’s diet.

To make it, blend plain oats cooked in water, adding water as needed to achieve a soupy texture. To make it heartier, cook and thin out the oatmeal with formula or breastmilk instead. Gradually thicken it as your baby gets more comfortable.

Oatmeal packs lots of fiber, including beta glucan, which is one form of soluble dietary fiber. It promotes the growth of your baby’s beneficial gut bacteria and may encourage bacterial diversity in the gut (8).

What’s more, oatmeal is fairly neutral in taste, which makes it easy to combine with other hearty, healthy foods. For instance, you can spoon in puréed fruit and cinnamon for more flavor.

Avoid honey

Be sure to never feed a baby under 1-year-old honey, as doing so can put them at risk of botulism and pose a choking hazard (9).

4. Peanut butter

Peanut butter packs protein and fats — both of which can encourage weight gain in your baby.

Keep in mind that peanuts are one of the 8 allergens that can cause the most serious allergic reactions in the United States (10).

The latest evidence supports feeding infants as young as 6 months foods that commonly cause allergies. This includes peanuts. Research suggests this approach may actually help prevent allergies from developing (11, 12).

You’ll want to introduce allergenic foods methodically, always one at a time and introducing new, higher-risk foods at least a week apart.

It’s important to feed these to your baby on a regular basis — always watching for signs of allergies, including hives, redness around the mouth, or wheezing. If this occurs, seek medical help immediately (11, 12).

Never feed your baby peanut butter straight from the jar, as doing so may pose a choking hazard.

The best way to feed them natural peanut butter, or any other type of nut butter, is to blend them with either warm water, applesauce, breast milk or formula, or — if you’ve already introduced dairy — yogurt.

You can add it to oatmeal for added richness.

If your child is at a higher risk of allergies or has had eczema, speak with a healthcare professional before feeding them any nut butters or higher-risk foods.

They may advise waiting until they’re older and then want to supervise this in their office or suggest an allergy test first (13).

8 most common food allergies

cow’s milk
eggs
fish
crustacean shellfish, like shrimp
wheat
soy
peanuts
tree nuts

Learn more about food allergies here.

5. Eggs

Eggs are another powerhouse food that’s great for infants and adults alike. They provide a filling combination of fats and protein. They’re often gentle on the stomach, versatile, and easy to prepare (14,15).

Be mindful because this is another common allergenic food that you’ll want to introduce slowly and methodically. Keep an eye open for an allergic reaction. Seek immediate emergency care if your baby is wheezing or having trouble breathing (11, 12).

Once eggs are a mainstay in your baby’s diet, you could try scrambling them and sprinkling in some cheese and veggies for added nutrients.

You can also use eggs in other dishes. For example, try adding them to rice with cheese and veggies for some quick rice patties, then cut these into strips to serve.

You certainly don’t have to hold off until the 9-month mark to introduce fish, but it might be easier for babies to handle the texture at this age than earlier in life.

6. Fish

Fish delivers protein and healthy fats that are vital to your little one’s growth. Do be mindful to seek out low mercury fish, like salmon, herring, and trout (16).

Furthermore, these and other fish contain brain-nourishing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid that’s essential for proper brain development in early childhood (17).

Pair fish with a rich lemon full fat yogurt dip or marinara sauce for added nutrients.

It seems counterintuitive, but when babies hit their 12-month milestone, you may find they’re eating less.

This is because their growth rate slows. In fact, most toddlers will only put on about 5 pounds between their first and second birthday (18).

Of course, they’re still growing and needing lots of nourishment — they are simply not growing quite as rapidly as they were in those first 12 months of life.

So, don’t be worried if your champion eater suddenly slows down or plateaus at this phase. If they still have the energy to play and seem alert, they’re probably doing just fine.

7. Olive or avocado oils

Your toddler should get a fair amount of healthy fats. In fact, 30–40% of your toddler’s calories should come from fats (19).

They need roughly 1,000-1400 calories each day at this age, so that translates to about 30–50 grams of fat per day (19).

If your toddler needs a bit more support, consider adding a splash of olive oil or avocado oil to their food, about 1/4–1/2 tablespoon (4–7 mL) to start. You can add it into a bowl of soup or hummus or sop some whole grain bread into it.

Take care not to feed your baby too much oil, as doing so could cause gastric upset or diarrhea.

If your baby has energy to play and is tracking along with developmental milestones, they’re probably growing just fine.

Unless a healthcare professional has identified an issue with your baby’s weight, you probably don’t need to worry.

Keep in mind that babies born prematurely and those with special health needs may not track along with general growth charts.

That said, parental instinct is real. Always voice any concerns with your child’s healthcare professional. Take note of what exactly you observe that troubles you, in as much detail as possible.

For example, you could record the times, dates, and amounts and types of food your child has eaten.

If your baby seems lethargic, is refusing to feed, or isn’t meeting developmental milestones, you should make an appointment to speak with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician.

In addition to a medical evaluation, they may refer you to another specialist, lactation consultant, occupational therapist, or dietitian.

Your little one’s early nutrition can have lifelong impacts. Making sure they’re getting enough to eat — and growing enough — is a concern for many parents.

If your child is not tracking along or suddenly not feeding as well as they used to, speak with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying causes. Do keep in mind that babies’ food intake normally slows at around the 12-month mark.

There are many wonderful, nourishing foods to help support your baby’s growth — including eggs, avocados, and peanut butter.

If they’re younger, or under 6 months, try to provide enough opportunities for them to breastfeed or drink enough formula according to their hunger cues.

All that said, if your little one seems alert, is meeting the developmental milestones for their age, and has enough energy to play, they’re probably getting enough to eat.

Just one thing

Try this today: The article 21 Homemade Baby Food Recipes is a great resource with tips on how to make a variety of tasty, nutritious meals for your baby once they start eating solid foods.

90,000 choice of the best products that will help your child gain weight in a healthy way

07.07.2022 Admin

Content

The best products for a healthy weight set
- Dairy products
- fats and oils
- Carletes
- drinks
Reasons your child might need to gain weight
When not to worry about your child's growth
Tips for Healthy Weight Gain
- Don't let kids spill drinks
- Allow food whenever you feel hungry
- Try several small meals a day
- Prevent kids from accumulating empty calories
- Include high-calorie supplements in your daily meals
- Don't limit your exercise
- Visit a nutritionist
When to talk to your pediatrician
Bottom line

All children need to gain weight as they grow and mature, but for some children gaining weight can be a real hurdle. In fact, despite rising rates of childhood overweight and obesity, many children need a little help to put on a few pounds.

With the right nutritious foods, you can help your child gain weight in a healthy way. Here's a look at the best nutritional and calorie-dense options to prepare your child's meals and snacks that are both nutritious and promote weight gain. nine0005

The Best Foods for Healthy Weight Gain

Consider all food groups when working to move the needle on the scale. It's not just a constant diet of hamburgers and pizza that will make your child gain weight (although that may be their preferred route!). Even some fruits and vegetables contain more calories than you think.

Try any of these:

Protein

red meat, including ground beef, steak and lamb
white meat such as chicken and turkey (especially with skin)
pork sausage, pork chops, bacon, ham and ribs
fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout and sardines
eggs from nuts and seeds, such as cashew butter, almond oil, peanut butter and sunflower oil
nuts and seeds, including pecans, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds and flax seeds
soy proteins, such as tofu, tempeh and soy milk

Dairy products

Full-fat yogurt
Bold cheese
solid or 2 percent milk
Pacht
in half or cream
Smile 9000 9000
9,0002 Zhirs and oil 9,0002 Zhitsa and OIT OD avocado oil
rapeseed oil
oil
salad dressings

Carbohydrates

rice
potatoes and sweet potatoes
corn
Dry breakfasts with a high fiber and protein content
whole -grain bread
Macarone products
Swan
OBOSED
BATOLS with low sugar content, for example, 5 grams or less on a bar)

Fruits and vegetables

coconut
avocado
figs
dates
raisins and other dried fruits such as apricots, cranberries and currants
bananas
zucchini and other root vegetables

drinks

whole milk hot cocoa

Reasons your child might need to gain weight

There are many causes of underweight children, many of which have to do with three little words (which can sound a little scary): failure to thrive.

This medical term is not a disease and is not clearly defined, but usually refers to a child's slow growth due to malnutrition.

In infants, developmental delay may occur due to feeding problems such as:

0012
allergy to formula ingredients
reflux

All of these can lead to stunting.

Children of any age may suffer from developmental delay due to:

undiagnosed food allergy or intolerance
illness
oral problems
gastrointestinal diseases
behavioral, developmental or neurological problems

Medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall, are particularly known for their appetite-reducing side effect. If you think your child's medications may be affecting his appetite or weight gain, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. Do not stop taking any medication abruptly.

Sometimes your child's slow weight gain may be because he or she is not eating enough calories for her age. Active, growing children may need more calories than you think. For example, teenage boys often need the same amount of calories as adults. nine0005

For reference - and for your own peace of mind - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines "underweight" as being in the bottom fifth percentile of the height chart.

Regardless of the cause of your child's slow weight gain, the good news is that you, as a parent, have a lot of control over one major healing factor: their diet. A nutritious, high-calorie meal plan is the best place to start.

You can also set a good example by modeling healthy eating behavior and making nutritional choices. nine0005

When not to worry about your child's growth

When the graph point on your child's growth chart falls short of what you expect, it's only natural to take notice. But some deviations in the growth process are normal.

Pediatricians usually look at changes in your child's weight over time rather than a single weigh-in at a child's examination. They can also help focus your efforts at home on helping your child gain weight. nine0005

Don't worry if your child skips a meal here or there, or suddenly turns up their nose at certain foods (or, frankly, for toddlers, an entire category of foods).

Children's appetites may be fickle. Give your child time and space, knowing that this may very well be a temporary phase. (But keep offering a wide variety of foods!)

Healthy Weight Gain Tips

Using the foods listed above as building blocks, you'll be on your way to creating meals and snacks that will help your baby fill up. To further increase their healthy weight, try these tips. nine0005

Keep children from pouring drinks

Hydration is certainly important for children from infancy to adolescence. But sometimes too much liquid can compete with food for space in your baby's tummy. To stimulate your appetite, try offering food before drinks during meals. Also, avoid sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices.

Eat whenever you feel hungry

Of course, for most of us, eating doesn't have to be an all-day entertainment. However, for children who are struggling to gain weight, allowing them to eat at any time of the day may be a perfectly acceptable approach. nine0005

Consider skipping pre-set meal times and snacks that you think are "normal" or "correct" and simply encourage your child to eat when he is hungry.

Try a few small meals a day

Here's another strategy that goes hand in hand with the "eating is always okay" model.

Instead of sticking to a rigid breakfast, lunch and dinner schedule, feel free to play with the frequency of your meals and snacks. Your child can consume more calories with six to eight small meals a day than with three meals a day. nine0005

Prevent children from accumulating empty calories

Foods such as sodas, potato chips, and fast food can lead to weight gain, but since these foods tend to be low in nutrients, they will not benefit your health. child. Choose more nutritious, whole foods as often as possible.

Include high-calorie supplements in your daily meals

We don't like the practice of hiding healthy foods in "kid-friendly" packages (watch you hidden veggie cookie), but adding high-calorie supplements to your daily meals is a different story. nine0005

For example, nut butter, avocado, coconut milk, and other high-calorie ingredients can be easily added to smoothies to add volume.

And when your child needs to gain weight, there's nothing wrong with using buttermilk in pancakes, sour cream in baked potatoes, or extra cheese in pasta or casseroles.

Don't limit exercise

Because weight gain is essentially an equation of calories in and out, it can be tempting to tell an underweight child not to be too active. But children need plenty of daily exercise. Unless recommended by a doctor, it is best not to limit their activity. nine0005

Visit a nutritionist

Putting everything together to help your child gain weight can be tricky. You don't have to go alone!

Seeking help from a nutritionist, especially a pediatrician, can make a huge difference. With expertise in baby nutrition, a pediatric dietitian can help you make the best choices for your child's diet.

When to talk to your pediatrician

You should never be embarrassed to ask your pediatrician a question, even if it seems silly. (Seriously, they heard it.)

If you are concerned that your child is not gaining weight properly, or if he seems to be regressing in his growth chart progress, do not be afraid to voice your concerns to your pediatrician.

Also, if you feel that your child looks "thin", has little energy, or has experienced behavioral changes or sudden weight loss, don't be shy. All of these are good reasons for further investigation.

Make sure you complete all recommended checkups for your baby to adequately monitor your baby's weight progression. nine0005

It is also definitely worth seeking professional help if your child refuses to eat for a long time, eg more than 24-48 hours, especially if you cannot identify the underlying cause, such as an illness.

Because medications can interfere with healthy weight gain, be sure to talk to your pediatrician about the effects of any new medications.

Bottom line

As much as we in the adult world think of weight loss as a good thing, it doesn't necessarily apply to our children. A significant number of children actually need help gaining weight. nine0005

Get creative with the foods and suggestions above to complete your child's weight gain diet in a healthy way.

what high-calorie and healthy foods to use for weight gain?

Valeria Leshchenko

Often children have no appetite, it's not worth forcing, but reconsider the diet. Read more about products for weight gain. nine0005

Let's start with the fact that sometimes parents can not correctly estimate the weight of the child. For parents, the child is always hungry, undernourished, and has poor weight gain. In this case, only a doctor can make a diagnosis, so you first need to make an appointment, and then just do something.

If a child's weight does not correspond to age (and other parameters), only in this case it is worth reviewing the diet of the whole family. Why all? Because parents are an example and support for the child. nine0005

Products for weight gain for children

Banana

100 g of bananas contain approximately 90 kcal (1 banana - approximately 180-200 kcal), as well as potassium, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system and magnesium for mood (nervous system) ). Bananas are fast energizing, so you can easily take them with you as a snack, for example, to the playground, if you go on a picnic, to the hospital, etc. But bananas are best consumed in the morning. nine0005

Ghee (clarified)

Ghee is made from quality butter. You can buy a ready-made version or cook at home. 100 g contains approximately 600 kcal, as well as vitamin E and A. In addition, it does not burn. If you cook on it.

So, to prepare a homemade version of ghee, you need to take butter with at least 82% fat content, cut it into pieces and send it to the pan. Over low heat, the butter will first melt, then foam, and then begin to turn from yellow to amber. When the oil becomes a brownish hue, sediment can be seen at the bottom - impurities that were added to the product during its production. Now you need to pour the oil into a jar, but without sediment. nine0005

Natural yoghurt

Free of additives and sugar. Natural yogurt is rich in calcium and also has the right ratio of fat and calories to help your baby gain weight. However, as additives, you can use fresh fruits and berries, which are already available on the shelves of supermarkets and bazaars.