Baby needs to gain weight but won't eat

[sosa123]

@jahncrish That sounds so scary and frustrating for everyone. Sorry to hear your family is going through that. I am a pediatric dietitian who happens to spend a lot of time helping low weight babies. You may consider requesting a referral either to a dietitian or to a pediatric GI clinic (that is the specialty that usually handles low weight gain referrals)

Without knowing your brother personally, can’t make specific recommendations but can tell you I would start with adding sources of fat to meals (avocado, but butters, oil, butter, etc). That way, each bite he takes will be more calorically dense. Even an extra teaspoon of oil with each meal could make a big difference depending on his current size. Additionally, we sometimes look at changing the calorie concentration of his formula. You would need a dietitians close oversight on that though, so again, the referral would likely be helpful to you all.

Another consideration may be occupational or feeding therapy if he needs help learning to manage and swallow the food in his mouth, how to spend more time at a meal, etc. just some things to consider.

Good luck! I hope you guys find what you need to help him!

 

[jahncrish]

@sosa123 This was incredibly helpful! I didn't even know feeding therapy was a thing until now. And by the way, by oil, did you mean olive oil? We've been giving him a couple of teaspoons of that by recommendation of his pediatrician

 

[sosa123]

@jahncrish Yes any type of mild flavored cooking oil will do. And to keep working up the calories of his meals you can use other high fat additives- for example, if he takes scrambled eggs, scramble them with heavy whipping cream, cook in a pan with oil, and top with avocado or cheese. Can use this approach to most any food you’re cooking.

Yes feeding therapy can be so helpful, whether it is a physical issue or a behavioral one (anatomical issues interfering with eating vs maybe he’s just nervous or disinterested etc) the specialists that do this therapy are called speech language pathologists and they can be certified to help with both speech and feeding. You’ll do best to find one with experience with infants, as their struggles can be pretty significantly different than an older child.

 

[leftout]

@jahncrish My daughter was very under weight due to health issues. I made some weight gain muffins that were the staple of her diet for a while. She devoured them. No processed sugar, can be made with different fruits or veggies, high calorie. I'd be happy to send you the recipe

 

[jahncrish]

@leftout Please do! I bet he'd love them, he's a major sweet tooth.

 

[leftout]

@jahncrish Pumpkin muffins

⅓ cup oil

½ cup maple syrup

1 egg

1 cup pumpkin purée (or mashed any fruit or veggie)my favorite combo is apple banana carrot

¼ C milk of choice

1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground allspice or cloves

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ tsp xantham gum

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup flour

1C almond flour

⅓ cup old-fashioned oats, or instant steel cut

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss it all in the kitchen aide and crank it

325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius).

Bake for 20 min or until stick comes out clean

 

[jahncrish]

@leftout I can't wait to try this, I love baking

 

[yaquirisv]

@jahncrish Mom to 3 boys here. At 8 months old, he needs more formula than adult food. Try feeding him some baby foods or baby cereal. He may simply not be ready to actually eat solids yet. If the pediatrician isnt worried, then he will be fine.

On to your mom. It sounds like she may possibly be part of the reason why your little brother wont eat. Babies are incredibly gifted at picking up on vibes, feelings, emotions, etc. He may feel her frustration and anger and it may be affecting him. That being said, has your mom addressed her own stress? It sounds like she may be suffering from PPD (Post Partum Depression) or PPA (Post Partum Anxiety). Bring it up to your mom and suggest maybe she should call her doctor. I know this from personal experience. I had PPD with all 3 of my boys. It isnt an easy beast to live with. She may also need medication to help balance the hormones and chemicals in her brain. I also needed medication. My boys are now 8, 6, and 2 and i have been off medication for a year and a half now. So, also remind her that if she needs medication, it may not be permanent. Good luck, love.

 

[jahncrish]

@yaquirisv Thank you for your advice! It's nice to hear from an experienced mother. About my mom-- she's always been this way, I PROMISE, otherwise I would be worried for her well being, but she's always had a hard time dealing with stressfull situations and tends to take it out on others. She'll be mad about something else if it's not about the baby, but I thought about looking for solutions here on reddit because i'd like to not be screamed at every day for the same thing good luck to you too

 

[shusterman]

@jahncrish Even if she's always been this kind of way it can be harder after having a baby as your hormones are all over the place. It would still be worth her talking to her doctor if she feels able to.

 

[nicole198]

@jahncrish Stop stressing.

Formula or breast milk is food nr 1 during the first year. Your baby is still learning to eat, so let him mess around. Make sure he has enough formula (I read you give formula) and the solids are just extras.
He'll change to less milk once he starts eating more, don't force it on him. That's completely unnecessary at this age!

So, stop stressing. Just give him enough formula. And let him explore solids on his own pace.

 

[jahncrish]

@nicole198 Thank you, many people have been talking about the formula being more important and I have to say i'm very grateful for this advice. We'll prioritize the formula and see how he's going at his next appointment in January.

 

[nekiera]

@jahncrish I don't think anyone else mentioned it, but cut the passion fruit juice entirely. The sweetness will turn him off of other foods and it doesn't add anything. Otherwise, others have given good advice, offer the formula and baby cereals first. The purified veggies can be added after, and a good way to reinforce the banana is with mashed avacado. Scrambled eggs aren't bad, but again, after the formula.

Your mother's frustration is probably concern, not to mention the holidays, and she is probably tired too. Try to cut her some slack and make an active effort to do some of the day to day things she often does.

 

[jahncrish]

@nekiera Hi! We actually started giving him passion fruit juice because he'd get constipated quite often, but you're right, the veggies should be enough to prevent that anyways. My mom just told me that he drinks formula at around 6 am and then takes his breakfast at around 8-9 when he wakes up again, do you think that's a good timetable?
I'll consider the mom thing-- i'm very much aware that she gets angrier once she's frustrated about something, but I have some unresolved issues with her about her constant need to take everything out on me. I promise I always do everything in my power to help her.

 

[nekiera]

@jahncrish For baby constipation the baby cereals and just plain old water help. At 8 months, holding him upright and letting him push of repeatedly with his legs (even with you sitting and him pushing off of your legs) will also help digestion. If hes stable enough to use an excersaucer or similar standing toy, that helps too. Don't be surprised if he stiffens up and gets a serious face while using legs this way (and be ready for a diaper change!).

The timetable should be whatever works, trying to schedule things somewhat regularly, but whenever feeding works is best.

 

[bsharp61]

@jahncrish Are you only giving the baby two bottles of formula a day? How many ounces? My daughter is breastfeed when I'm home, but I work 4 days a week, so I breast feed at 7 am, she sleeps until 10, has a bottle then, brunch/lunch around noon, another bottle around 2, another around 4:30, dinner 530/6 ish, breastfeed around 7, again like 930/10ish, she usually has a snack of teething biscuits/cereal puffs, fruit or yogurt like 8ish, and breastfeed again before I got to bed at midnight. When my daughter gets a bottle when I'm not home she drinks 4 to 5 ounces. I know that my daughter doesn't drink as much from a bottle at a time due to having to blend breastfeeding and bottles, but like even with 6 to 8 ounce bottles I'd say at least 4 bottles, up to 6 per day. If your baby is more interested in food, then give them what they want to eat! If they want more table foods then they know what they are ready for, so give them to him.

 

[christinejane]

@jahncrish This must be so frustrating for all of you. On top of what was already mentioned maybe try getting more relaxed around food? My younger one just mimics our mood so much. Therefore if there is anxiety or angry yelling. He is unlikely to eat. He would just breastfeed for comfort.
Also with him he didn't want to eat much of the food we were giving him and only started to eat more around 9-10 months old. So maybe your brother isn't ready for some of the foods yet. I had most success feeding him yogurt. And I was using the fatty kind made from cream, so 10% fat content. Also I heard one philosophy around feeding little kids: they do not need exciting new foods every day like is adults, that is why they are ok with eating just plain pasta.

 

[katrina2017]

@jahncrish Nut butters.

When my kids were tiny they would just eat spoonfuls of peanut butter, and even now might sneak a spoon of it.

It's generally tasty, calorically dense, and little ones seem to enjoy it.

 

[jahncrish]

@katrina2017 I'm dying to try this out, but, how exactly could I give him peanut butter? I'm scared he'll choke because it's sticky or it will be bad for his tummy because it's very artificial. Do you have like a natural-8 month old baby-safe way to make it?

 

[champagne]

@jahncrish You thin it out with water.
I’d do that then add in baby rice cereal to thicken it to apple sauce consistency for my child.

Or powdered peanut butter.

But seriously the kid needs more bottles than what’s being offered.