Underweight son. How?
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Hi parents,
My son is 9.5 yrs old, P3, 27kg and 1.38m. Underweight. (Toddler daughter on the other hand is 97% tile) I am so worried. He eats soooo slowly like sloth, he loves to Keep food in his mouth, and takes an hour to finish a small meal. He also looks pale. Took him to Dr at Kinderclinic, so far doctor says he’s ok, this is without blood tests, just weighing and physical check. I am giving Pediasure, not really helping. I’ve tried EU YAN SANG products for appetite increase. The supplements for appetite increase also didn’t really help. Anyone has successfully used supplements or what do you suggest? -
shisan\" post_id=\"1943318\" time=\"1572026125\" user_id=\"145867:
Mine is the same, all along very low percentile (up till last year). Also the same slow eating habits since birth - even drinking milk also took forever!
Hi parents,
My son is 9.5 yrs old, P3, 27kg and 1.38m. Underweight. (Toddler daughter on the other hand is 97% tile) I am so worried. He eats soooo slowly like sloth, he loves to Keep food in his mouth, and takes an hour to finish a small meal. He also looks pale. Took him to Dr at Kinderclinic, so far doctor says he’s ok, this is without blood tests, just weighing and physical check. I am giving Pediasure, not really helping. I’ve tried EU YAN SANG products for appetite increase. The supplements for appetite increase also didn’t really help. Anyone has successfully used supplements or what do you suggest?
All along, I just did what I could to give him nutrition-packed food instead. Eg if he only eats carbo, at least make sure the rice is “fatty” chicken rice (not plain rice), or cream sauce spaghetti (plenty of cheese & fatty cream).
In primary school he preferred to drink his meals than sit down to eat. So I let him drink nutrition-packed soups. Ensure all food groups are in there so that he is growing healthily. For milk before bed (and also in lieu of breakfast - no appetite in the mornings) - I give FULL CREAM MILK. Yes we did try Pediasure, but he didn’t like the taste after a while.
He has fattened up in P3 year. Regular sports has helped to boost his appetite. He is ravenous after exercise, so he can eat a complete rice +1 meat + 1 veg meal with us now. When eating out & in school, I let him choose his own meal (my only rule is no junk food), he’s happy to get the choice & eats more.
He still drinks lots of milk. It has plenty of calcium & protein. Hope that will help your son. We have switched to normal low-fat milk since last month because he is getting a little overweight now.
Don’t worry so much unless he’s marked as severely underweight (on his report book). And don’t compare with your younger girl. The stress of comparison can worsen his appetite. I always wondered why my kid (unlike others) never had an interest in food, even junk food...he’s just not a foodie, even though it may sound sacrilegious to us Singaporeans lol. -
shisan\" post_id=\"1943318\" time=\"1572026125\" user_id=\"145867:
I have heard that pediasure fills kids up too much. I've not tried it on my kids, so this is hearsay. You may find that switching to plain full-cream milk may be better. Some suggestions:
Hi parents,
My son is 9.5 yrs old, P3, 27kg and 1.38m. Underweight. (Toddler daughter on the other hand is 97% tile) I am so worried. He eats soooo slowly like sloth, he loves to Keep food in his mouth, and takes an hour to finish a small meal. He also looks pale. Took him to Dr at Kinderclinic, so far doctor says he’s ok, this is without blood tests, just weighing and physical check. I am giving Pediasure, not really helping. I’ve tried EU YAN SANG products for appetite increase. The supplements for appetite increase also didn’t really help. Anyone has successfully used supplements or what do you suggest?
- restrict milk intake (including all forms of milk including Pediasure). 2 cups of milk a day is adequate. Too much liquid, especially before meals, can also reduce appetite.
- increase physical activity to increase appetite. Try 30-60 mins of activity each day, eg. in the playground, cycling, swimming etc.
- set a time limit for meals (20-30 mins) and throw the uneaten food away in front of him. Don't let him have anything other than water till the next meal. It may be counter-intuitive, but it works for a lot of kids. Don't assume it won't work till you try it for a couple of days. And harden your heart or it won't work!
- don't allow TV, mobiles or other distractions during meals.
- restrict high fat/sugar snacks and replace with high-protein snacks instead. Restrict fruits (high in liquid) to a couple of pieces a day. Limit all snacks to a couple of times a day, and don't allow any snacks within 2 hrs before a meal.
- don't show your anxiety. It could make him more anxious (and lose appetite) or he may want to use not eating to get attention. Give him attention at other times, not food-related, if he is using meals to get your attention.
- if you think there may be something seriously wrong, see another doctor for a 2nd opinion. -
I agree with slmkhoo wrt setting time limit for every meal.
Don’t let a child day dream & linger at mealtimes. This not onlybform bad habit of procrastination, it’s also not good for nutrition. Food shld not sit till cold & parents shld not still insist it must be finished up. Many of my frds were anxious abt kids not eating full meal, but this anxiety is not necessary.
My nephew’s pediatrician explained - if u set fix meal 15-20 min, the child may not be full initially, but kids learn fast that they get hungry & will asks for food. Next mistake to avoid is not to provide snacks in btwn meals. SIL worried if kid go hungry & get ulcers. Pediatrician advised if parents start early training w/o snacks, they learn to finish regular meals owise they’ll experience hunger. The reason for training young is that their toddler system hv protective buffer to sustain their hunger for next meal. Your problem is solved.
It’s advisable to let kids stretch & exercise out their energy as this hv several benefits. The blood circulation will increase their appetite & exercise helps them sleep better in the night. Early bedtime & sleep is impt for their brain devpt at young age.
Ano issue to watch for Pri sch kids who’re dismissed after 1pm & hv very late lunch. Parents tend to go by 8 hour mealtime, which render child having dinner late. This harm the child’s digestive system having to work to digest food when the child needs their bedtime early. Give them a hearty morning breakfast, regular nutritious lunch & light earlier btwn 6-7pm dinner. By 9-9.30pm when the child needs to wind down.
Hope abv suggestions help -
Thank u parents! I was reading through the suggestions. I’ve tried some, if not most.
I enrolled him for Soccer practice, he sweats, runs, and then not much stamina. He’s almost never hungry. I ask him at any time of the day if he wants a snack / food. He won’t say no to chocolate mostly, but otherwise, he can go without food/water. Even his Pediasure is forced down. I’ve also tried removing his food with warning after 30 mins. He will cry, then do the exact same thing next meal and the next. The latest pattern he has, is over-yawning during meal time and then he says he is too tired to eat. I’m so frustrated and angry dealing with his nonsense - and sometimes I show it because really cannot tahan…
I think I’ll finish the Pediasure and try full cream milk like what zac’s Mum and smlkhoo say. Pediasure is heaty and full of sugar, he doesn’t poop Everyday and seems constipated.
Mornings are generally a struggle, he takes at most half a Prima deli waffle, or half a donut and super slowly while waiting for school bus. I pack something for him for school during the break time because recess time is play time for him. He doesn’t finish it every time and I agree that school hours not too conducive for good meal times. By the time he’s back and cleaned up, it’s 2.30pm and because only helper is around, he will finish only around 3.30-4pm. Then dinner is 6.30pm, so he isn’t hungry and struggle again and bedtime 8.30pm. All very rush, and dinner will forever be a struggle. This holiday hopefully will be a good opportunity to get meal times regular I hope that will help work it out.
Zac’s Mum I hope my son will also fatten up too. sigh… he used to like burger and pizza. I will take him to places to eat and he will eat half then start to yawn and say tummy unwell. (Actually needs to poop). He’s overly picky, and overly skinny. I just hope this is not an eating disorder.
I just gave him Zentel today to deworm, in hope that it helps a bit. I’m getting desperate. -
How underweight is underweight? My DD is like 25th percentile for weight and 50th for height and she also eats suuuuper slowly, and if I hurry her she’ll just stop eating. I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do, but I figure that as long she’s healthy and active, it’s okay? She’s only 4 but I figure she’ll eat if she’s hungry, and I don’t want to turn mealtimes into a power struggle (been there, never won the fight). We do give her full-cream milk in the morning and before bedtime (if she’ll take it), but don’t do anything special otherwise.
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Sometimes slow eaters are just slow eaters. They are very rare in our society, but u know, actually taking the time to chew every single mouthful slowly is good - they appreciate all the flavors, the food is cut up properly by the teeth so the kid doesn’t get indigestion. And such people are usually skinny because they don’t overeat like we do. The brain sensors take 20min to register Stomach fullness - way later than what most adults take to gobble down their meal. So we end up eating more portion than what our body needs. The rest is stored as fat and obesity.
I used to have a JC classmate, she was the slowest eater, 30min recess time was always never enough. We would always be hurrying her up when the bell rang, she would say wait leh, I need to finish chewing first, sorry I’ve always been a slow eater...she is still slim in her 40s now haha.
shisan - I have some minor things to add: the full cream milk I give is in a packet, drunk by straw. Packet Milo works too, nutritious. Just don’t let your girl drink the same thing cos it is too “gao” for overweight kids
Somehow my kid doesn’t like to drink milk from an open cup, the smell turns off his appetite.
Yes try to find a way to get the fiber into him. It’s necessary to push out the existing build up inside, then he will feel hungry. I notice that if my son hasn’t pooped yet, his appetite is much less, even with his fav food. Sometimes there is growth spurt and growth lull to factor in as well. So much headache, I know.
May I suggest you cut away the lunch. Mine didn’t want to eat much after school. I only offered a small healthy snack. Then early dinner at 5.30pm. Can eat slightly more that way.
Mine has learnt to read his own body hunger cues. He will inform me if he’s hungry. He will tell me “I’m done” after a meal, even if only half is eaten. I have learnt to respect that, not make it a battle to force him to finish all the food. It’s better for the kids (in the long term, for their own esteem) if they learn how to manage their own hunger cues. Especially at age 7 onwards. He can even take a few bites of ice cream, say it’s very nice, and then say “I’m done. Thanks, that was the best ice cream I’ve tasted. But it’s enough. You can have the rest.” He knows when to stop & that’s fine you know. Better than zero self control & gorging.
Mine is picky too. Possibly sensitive palate. He hates hot food. Must wait for ramen & soups to cool down first. Can’t understand our Chinese nagging of “eat the food when hot!” I agree somewhat. Singapore weather is so hot, not a winter country. -
Haha, I still have an undersized boy and he is 14yrs old. Also picky eater though not a slow eater anymore.
If your boy is not sickly and lacking in energy to complete daily stuff, I guess just make sure you provide nutritious food and let him eat as much as he can. Don’t be too hung up about his weight and all. Sometimes our anxiety and wanting them to eat more eat faster may turn them off eating altogether. If he like certain foods then serve more of that. I will also say forget about Pediasure. Go for full fat fresh milk. Get him easy to eat stuff for breakfast. DS’s breakfast was a cup of yoghurt every morning. Then I varied it and added cereal for him.
I am not so concerned if kids are skinny to start with so long as they are healthy. I would be more concerned if they are on the chubby side. Your girl is only a todd, so just monitor and switch from formula to fresh milk. Really too much sugar in formula and cut back on milk as well. Let her have her nutrients from whole foods instead. -
My son is about 3-5%tile, he looks like a big head lollipop. His height is around 60%. I agree that eating slowly is good for digestion, I’m also slow eater because chronic gastritis has forced me to do so plus the heartburn discomfort comes on fast. But this boy, he keeps food like hamster in his cheek. For instance his last mouthful before we leave an eating place, that mouthful is still in his mouth half an hour later, really want to hammer him!
Zac’s mum I admire your tolerance. I tried to respect his cue when he’s full. But we can tell when he’s simply pulling a fast one because the food is not his preferred choice. I just bought the full cream milk packets, this he will drink, he will also drink Milo, but his capacity smaller than 660cc car… drink abit then full already. I guess I really really need the patience, provided I have the assurance that he’s otherwise healthy.
Funz, the anxiety portion I totally agree. He gets paranoid about his health because I get paranoid about his health. He tries to act fine even if he has tummy pain, just so that I don’t send him to a doctor.
Anyway, whenever my mom needs to handle my son, even though this is her fav grandchild, she also cannot tahan all his eating pattern.
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