How to Improve Your Child's Weight without Fueling Shame

When your child is a newborn, weight gain is essential for their health. But as they age, maintaining a healthy, growing weight is crucial for long-term wellness.

If your child is having a difficult time gaining or losing weight, it's important to know how to help them without making them feel ashamed.

Dr. Sindu Pillai offers various tips and tricks to help your child gain or lose weight at her practice in Murrietta, California. Dr. Pillai is an experienced pediatrician who offers weight visits, school physicals, and behavioral evaluations for children in need of compassionate care.

What are weight visits?

Some kids struggle to lose weight, while others can't seem to gain it no matter what they eat. Weight visits are an option we offer to help you track your child's growth and weight.

A child's weight gain is extremely important in the first year of life. Poor weight gain could indicate a food intolerance, allergy, or other underlying conditions.

Weight visits allow Dr. Pillai to monitor your child's weight gain using specialized scales. We schedule regular visits to monitor their health and weight, ensuring proper growth and development.

They're also great for kids who are overweight or who can't seem to gain weight when on certain medications.

Tips to improve your child's weight

When your child is on ADHD medication or doesn't seem to gain weight, it's tough to bring it up without making them feel bad. ADHD medication has a side effect of decreased appetite, which leads to trouble gaining weight.

The same is true when your child gains too much weight. There are several ways to encourage your child to gain or lose weight efficiently, and they include:

Set a structured meal and snack schedule

A structured meal plan is essential to help your child with their weight. Set specific times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as two snack times.

Younger children need food every two to three hours to maintain weight, while older kids can go three to four hours.

Incorporate nutrient-dense and high-calorie foods

What your child eats is just as important as, if not more important than, how often they eat for weight. Offer your child full-fat dairy products and high-protein foods, such as yogurt, eggs, and cottage cheese, to help them gain weight.

Time their meals around medications

ADHD medications often cause a decrease in appetite, so have your child eat a large, healthy breakfast to help with caloric intake. Offer snacks after school when the medication wears off.

Encourage small, frequent meals

Encourage your child to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to support energy levels and weight gain. Try to make the meals something your child enjoys while also being healthy.

Seek out professional support

If you need more help getting your child nutritional support, seeking out a professional is key. They offer high-calorie and nutrient-dense plans to help your child succeed.

Dr. Pillai offers treatments, tips, and nutritional advice for kids struggling to gain or lose weight.

Don't let your child's weight keep them from enjoying life. Call our Murrieta, California, office today to schedule a weight visit. Book online now or call us for guidance.