It’s natural for newborn babies to lose some percentage of their birth weight in their first few days of life. However, infants will eventually regain weight in a few months due to breastmilk, formula, and solid foods. If your baby is still not gaining weight as per their percentile chart (despite being healthy and having no medical condition), most likely they are not consuming enough fat or nutritious food. So, consult your doctor and see if this is the case. If yes, try to add these foods to their diet to increase your baby’s weight healthily.
Nut butters
We all know that nuts are high in healthy fats and rich in vitamins and minerals. So, include nut butter in your infant’s diet if they are not allergic to it. For instance, peanut butter is packed with fats and protein, which can help increase your baby’s weight healthily.
Just ensure it’s natural peanut butter and has no added flavors or preservatives. You can even make it at home easily. The best way to feed nut butter is to add it to warm water, formula (but only after asking your doctor), applesauce, oatmeal, or any dairy item like full-fat yogurt. Giving them peanut butter on toast or on a spoon to lick is also a good idea.
Avocado
Avacado, too, has healthy fats, and your baby will love to eat it due to its relatively mild taste. Turn it into puree or dip, or simply cut it into bite-size pieces for kids to eat easily without choking. You can even make the avocado spread for your 1-year-old to have with bread. Otherwise, mash it up and add it to other foods like rice cereals, pasta, etc.
Whole milk
Once your kids are done with breastfeeding or formula, gradually introduce them to whole milk between ages 1-2 to increase baby’s weight healthily. If your infant is still consuming breast milk or formula, try to feed them more often. Make sure you let your little one fully empty your breast. Your breast should feel soft and light after every feed. This is a sign that your baby has had their complete feed.
Oatmeal
Your kids, too, can enjoy oatmeal. They are one of the best foods for increasing a baby’s weight healthily. Simply blend plain oats cooked in water. Then, add more water to get a soupy texture. To make it heartier, cook and thin out the oatmeal with formula instead (but only after consulting with your doctor). Gradually thicken the consistency of the oatmeal dish when your infant gets used to the recipe.
Since it’s neutral in taste, you can add cinnamon or pureed fruits to make it healthier and tastier. However, consult your pediatrician to understand when and how much cinnamon should be consumed. Oatmeal is loaded with fiber and promotes the growth of your little one’s beneficial gut bacteria.
Fish
Fish is another food you can include in your baby’s diet to increase their weight healthily. However, it’s better to consult your doctor before introducing fish to your infant’s mealtime between 7-12 months. Also, be mindful of choosing only herring, salmon, and trout for your little one, as they are low-mercury fish. Serve it on its own, or pair it with steamed veggies or rice for more nutritional benefits.
Apart from these foods, you can also give them bananas after six months. Hummus, cheese, pear, and so on are also great options. While preparing their meal or sautéing their veggies, use olive oil. You can even drizzle it on their salad or steamed veggies to increase your baby’s weight healthily.
