How to Fatten Up Your Baby - If advised by your pediatrician

Sometimes, when a baby gets sick, the baby loses weight and the pediatrician suggests that you increase calories. This article only pertains to babies who are starting solids.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sugested Groceries

1. Avocados are full of "good" fats. I suggest mashing up an avocado with a fork. You may add mashed avocado to rice cereal mixed in with breast milk or formula.
2. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, not fat. Mashed with a fork, this carbohydrate packed food is an excellent breakfast choice mixed in with cereal. Be warned, fresh bananas have a habit of turning up as tiny little black strings in poopie diapers. Don't be alarmed, its completely normal.
3. Meatballs! Yes, delicious home cooked meatballs (or meatloaf) broken up with a fork are the perfect moist meat for a baby starting solids.
   
   However, meatballs should only be homemade so that you know exactly what has been put into them. I recommend using egg yolks only, no whites, if you are sure your child is allowed to have eggs. If eggs are not allowed yet, just simply don't use them.
   
   Beware of using packaged breadcrumbs as they contain sesame seeds and are becoming highly allergic. Instead, use white bread soaked in rice milk or water and squish between your fingers before adding to ground meat.
4. Homemade chicken nuggets. Yep, you can make these easily. Mix ground chicken with a white bread. Form little patties, dip in your own home made breadcrumbs or flour and brown in fry pan. Transfer to baking sheet to cook completely. -EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BAKE COMPLETELY
5. For rice cereal, you may add 1/4 teaspoon of allowed oil when mixing with your choice of breast milk, formula or juice. I recommend safflower oil as many children are allergic to soy (vegetable oil) and corn.
6. Cheese. I do not recommend soft imported cheeses because of the risk of food borne illness. American, mild cheddar and muenster are excellent choices. Children generally do not like sharp cheeses so I would avoid them.
7. Full fat yogurt. Yogurt is generally well tollerated among babies 6 months and older because of the way it is processed.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check with your doctor before introducing new foods.
• Watch for allergic reactions, particularly with milk, soy and eggs.
• Only fatten up your baby at the advice of your pediatrician, not because you think plump babies are cute. There are serious health risks associated with obese babies.