How to supplement nutrition if the baby is too thin

Every child's growth and development is different. Some children do not grow tall, are too thin, and their growth curve is always at the bottom. It is really distressing for parents to see this, so they try hard to help their children supplement nutrition and even seek secret recipes. Pediatricians remind parents to be careful about eating the wrong things that may hinder their growth.

Why is the child so thin?

The growth and development of children is mainly influenced by genetics, as well as diet, nutrition, sleep, exercise, and growth environment. If a child is found to be very thin, it is usually considered whether it is affected by genetics. It is possible that the parents themselves are also short. If it is not related to genetics or there are other growth problems, it is necessary to consult a doctor to diagnose whether there are medical factors. If the doctor confirms that the child has no medical problems after examination, then the child's diet can be examined. It is very likely that the child is picky about food and does not get enough nutrition.

Are you really skinny? Learn about growth curves first

Dr. Lu Guanyi of Taichung You'en Pediatric Clinic reminds us that sometimes children are not really "thin", but some elders think that children have to be fat and white to grow up well, or they see that their neighbors' children or schoolmates are tall and strong, and after comparison, they think that their children are too thin. In fact, whether a child is really thin cannot be determined by visual comparison, but by looking at the growth curve.

Every child has a child health handbook, in which the "Child Growth Curve Percentile Chart" is specifically used to assess the growth of infants and young children. Parents can regularly mark their children's growth percentiles. Generally speaking, values ​​between the 97th percentile and the 3rd percentile are in the normal range. If the percentile suddenly drops by two percentile segments in a short period of time, or is below the 3rd percentile for a long time, which is commonly known as the 3% club, you should pay attention to whether there is any abnormal growth.

Currently, more and more doctors are beginning to use the 15th percentile as a reference value for whether nutritional intervention is needed. The purpose is to improve nutritional intake early to help children realize their growth potential early.

Don't eat random nutrition secrets from mother-in-law

Seeing that their children are not growing well, I believe many parents will try to help their children supplement their nutrition. There will also be enthusiastic relatives and friends around who provide their own nutritional secrets, reminding parents not to accept them all, but to make a little evaluation and choose the most suitable method for their children. The following are the nutritional secrets commonly used by the general public:

● Bone soup, chicken essence: There is no problem for children to eat these foods in moderation, but their nutritional content may not be comprehensive. Chicken essence focuses on supplementing protein and amino acids, and bone soup is even low in calcium, which will only make children drink too much fat.

● Bone-changing prescription: When children are older and about to enter puberty, bone-changing prescriptions can help children grow, but the timing of conditioning is very important. Taking bone-changing prescriptions at too young a age may cause precocious puberty. It is necessary to consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner.

● Chinese herbal powder can stimulate appetite: Eight-treasure powder and ginseng powder are both common Chinese herbal powders. Moreover, children have different physiques, so any food ingredient with medicinal properties must be prescribed by a doctor. Do not eat it blindly based on the instructions, otherwise it may harm your health instead of nourishing the body.

● Eating a lot of meat and fish every day: Meat intake should be moderate. Eating too much meat may cause indigestion in children. In addition, insufficient intake of vegetables and fruits may also cause constipation.

Balanced nutrition is the key to accelerated growth

Dr. Lu Guanyi said that if children want to grow well, they cannot be given random supplements. The truly effective way is to have a balanced diet and choose food wisely. The diet should include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. For children who are thin, parents should first give them enough nutrition and calories so that they have enough "raw materials" to grow taller, stronger and healthier.

Choosing a special balanced nutritional supplement for children is safe and effective

To improve children's unbalanced nutritional intake, parents can try to change the way food is prepared, cultivate the habit of eating three meals on time, and avoid letting children eat snacks between meals; parents can also choose nutritional supplements designed specifically for children with poor nutritional intake.

When choosing nutritional supplements for children, it is recommended to choose a balanced nutritional formula approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The formula of this type of product is specially designed to meet the needs of children's growth and development. It contains a variety of essential nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and multiple vitamins and minerals. It is nutritionally balanced and the effect is guaranteed.

Children's nutritional supplements are also very convenient to prepare, such as the method of mixing milk. Parents do not need to go through a lot of trouble to prepare, nor do they need to worry about the unknown source of supplements that may harm their children's health. It saves time and effort and is effective. Some children's nutritional supplements also have special added probiotics and prebiotics, which can further take care of the child's digestive system and help with nutrient absorption. When traveling, it can reduce the trouble and pressure of parents preparing food for their children, and they can fully enjoy the travel time.