Natural Cures for Underweight Children

| Modified: Sep 16, 2014
"The term underweight refers to a human who is considered to be under a healthy weight. The definition is usually made with reference to the body mass index (BMI). A BMI of under 18.5 is usually referred to as underweight. It is important to note that the BMI is a statistical estimate and some individuals classified as underweight may be perfectly healthy. In fact, caloric restriction may be a viable means of increasing the lifespan, and it can easily lead to a BMI of less than 18.5. This medical definition of underweight may differ from other uses of the term, such as those based on attractiveness.
Severely underweight individuals may have poor physical stamina and a weak immune system, leaving them open to infection. According to Robert E. Black of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, "Underweight status ... and micronutrient deficiencies also cause decreases in immune and non-immune host defenses, and should be classified as underlying causes of death if followed by infectious diseases that are the terminal associated causes." People who are malnutrative underweight raise special concerns, as not only gross caloric intake may be inadequate, but also intake and absorption of other vital nutrients, especially essential amino acids and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. In women, being grossly underweight can result in amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and possible complications during pregnancy. It can also cause anemia and hair loss. Underweight is an established risk factor for osteoporosis even for young people. This is a particular insidious consequence, because the affected persons do not notice the danger, they can feel fit and may be brilliant for example in endurance sports. After the occurrence of first spontaneous fractures the damage is often already irreversible." (Wikipedia)


Posted by Mommy (Coimbatore, Tn, india) on 11/14/2011

Hello, Thanks to this site. I am struggling from the time my son is born. He was born underweight (1.1 kg) to everyone's surprise because I had no issues during my pregnancy. Even the doctors (son was born in california, USA) didn't predict he will be underweight. From that time I am trying my best to take care of him. He was motherfed only 2 months and my milk stopped due to transistion from US to India. I started giving Neosure and Similac formulas for almost 2 years supplementing with dals, rice, soups, idlis and gerber products. He is now 4 yrs and weighs only 11. He is very, very thin and slender. He looks tiny and anyone who sees him will question me "he is so little, will he eat??... Why is he so tiny and weak?" I have answered soooo many ppl with only one answe r"He was born underweight". Immediately ppl tell.. "Oh! I have seen underweight babies. Now at the age of 3 or 4, they are normal and healthy".. Then I think "Then there is something wrong with my baby".

I keep asking to myself.. Will he grow as a normal child? Will he be able to answer ppl's comments when they tease him directly? "oh.. U r so little"

Oh God.. Even now I can't control my tears. I am giving proper meals. I spend at least 30 min to 40 min daily for a meal.. I will forcebly feed him whatever it takes.. Poor Boy!! He cries.. But I never leave him. If he misses one meal, then he will lose weight.. He doesn't like fatty items-cakes, ice creams, ghee biscuits.

Can anyone help me? I really need something which will make my son gain some weight. His height is normal maybe 2 inches below a normal 4 yr old. But his physique is so poor.

I and my husband are ready to do anything for my son. Please help and I will be really grateful to you guys.

God Bless Everyone.


Replied by Mmsg
Somewhere, Europe

Hold off the pressure on the kid. That is the fastest way to get him to stay small!!! My premies grew to big busters, but only after I stopped worrying about it. Offer good food, but don't ever force, it will not be nourishing. If he is crying and not eating with gusto it is wasted food, time and emotions.

If he eats little, but good, nourishing food that he loves, it will be absorbed, used and help him grow.

Replied by Jen
Bozeman, Mt, Us

Dear Mommy, I too have very small children. Mine were all born at very large and healthy weights but still are very small during toddler-hood. My son is 4 as well and though he was born at 8 lbs 3 oz (3.8 kg) he is now only 28 lbs (12.7 kg). This is considered small but he eats very well and is very strong. You should pay attention to how much progress your son has made. He is doing very well considering how small he was at birth. Be happy that you have helped him grow so much and don't listen to everyone else. All children are different. My sisters children are all very pudgy and healthy but they were all born very small. There is no perfect weight for a child. As long as they are growing you know they are eating and your efforts are coming to fruition. Don't worry so much about his weight and he wont worry so much about it either. Even if he doesn't show it he is probably aware that you are worried.

I was one of those children when I was younger. I was so small they had to put me in the hospital to feed me through my veins when I was 6 months old. I believe that my family worried so much that I began to hate food. Though my family had every reason to worry as my mother was turned in to child services by a neighbor who thought she wasn't taking care of me even though she had tried everything. When I got older I was so skinny that people would tell me I would blow away in the wind if I didn't eat more. I still have a love/ hate relationship with food and I believe I will forever because it was the only thing that people cared about when it came to me. It became the center of my life and all of my achievements were never as important as making sure I was eating. I was never given a choice to eat or not. There were some days I would sit at the table all night because I did not want to eat what was offered and I think my stomach was not big enough. I would gag and almost vomit if I tried to eat more.

Parents think that kids have to eat a certain amount or they will not grow. That is true to a certain extent but you have to let your child decide for themselves if they are finished or they will never learn to stop and start on thier own. This is one of the things that have caused eating disorders to rise so quickly. It is proven that children who are breast fed do not have as many eating disorders because the mother does not see the amount the baby is eating and worry it is not enough. The child eats what it needs and stops when it is full. This is inborn in all humans yet we feel we have to control this for our children.

If your son is truly weak then you should make sure he has all the vitamins he needs. He may be low on iron, copper, or any of the essentials. If you give him blackstrap molassas this could help his weakness. Focus on seeing what he is missing in his diet and try to secretly replace it without him knowing. Make a yummy (green) smoothy with all of the vitamins he needs in it. He will not know that it is good for him.

It is also possible he has a food allergy. Especially if he avoids certain foods. He may be subconciously saying that it does not make him feel well when he its that food. I wish you luck. I can tell you are a wonderful parent because you are worried about it in the first place. So do not listen to others.

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Posted by Lisa (Coto De Caza, Ca) on 10/15/2009
5 out of 5 stars

natural cures for underweight children

Some children have a hard time eating if food upsets their stomach. Sometimes this is due to delayed food allergies. There is an expensive blood test for this, but it is not 100% accurate, but can be a good starting point. Food elimination diets can detect them, but don't use the ones that are too restrictive. Most popular food problems: gluten (wheat), milk, eggs or egg whites, corn, soy, nuts. Lots of books on this.

Celiac disease= no gluten. If your child is really underweight or short for their age, try the celiac disease blood test. The test is not 100% accurate as there are sometimes false negatives if the disease is in the early stage. Other symptoms of celiacs: stomach upsets, IBS, tooth enamel problems, skin problems.... Google for more info and symptoms. Celiac disease destroys the villi in your intestine and food/vitamins are not absorbed. Ergo, if your child is not absorbing their food, they don't grow. Once your child is off gluten, the intestines heal and food is absorbed.... weight is gained.

Replied by Stitly
Mel, Australia

I love this earth clinic and really admire ted he seems like to know what he is talking about my question is when I finis giving b 50 twice a week for two weeks and lime and baking soda for two weeks to my four yrs old son. He goes back were we started. He seems to eat better with b 50 and lime water. The problem with my son is if it goes in his tummy ( I make him eat) it seems to be absorbed ok he puts on weight a little but if I am busy or tired or think let him eat whatever he wants to eat HE EATS LIKE BIRD Or MOUSE. And loses weight really fast. I don't want give him high dose of b vit for long time. Any advice from experts or ted is really appreciated. He is otherwise normal his eldest sister was thriving baby and still is.

Replied by Brooke
Montgomery, Tx, Usa

Have you tested him for worms? Worms can make the appetite really go crazy! One day eating everything in sight and then wanting nothing for a week or two and then wanting everything again and so on and so on. I would get him checked for worms and if that is the case, then have him eat green lettuce and green cabbage - more of the cabbage for approx 3-4 days as this kills worms. If you don't want to go to the Dr then just have him eat that.

My child had them when he was little and I gave him this in different ways - I would juice them sometimes - grate them sometimes - just to make it a little easier for him to eat. Also I would put him on Fletcher's Castoria - it is a natural senna based laxative that will help to remove everything in his colon. Use your own judgment on the dose - I take it from a bottle a day sipping 1/4 tsp every 30 minutes and sometimes just one Tbls a day. It will not hurt him, so use your own judgment on this.

Replied by Deb
Melbourne, Australia

Stitly, maybe your son's lack of appetite has something to do with digestion. Digestive enzymes and probiotics may help him. I don't know if your son has elimination problems but my son did and the probiotics helped. If it were worms I think the appetite would increase.

Also as my sister said to me yesterday you need to make food for children more palatable as they go through a stage of being picky eaters. Make food arranged with smily faces, homemade healthy pizzas (anything to get them to eat). My son (3 1/2) when he won't eat I play a game with him so we say cheers and clink our food together and eat at the same time. He laughs and thinks its terribly funny but eats his veggies at the same time.

Replied by Stitly
Mel, Australia

Thank you for taking intrest in my post I have tried swedish bitters and probiotcs but not together I gave him break from all the supplements over the holidays. everybody is saying what happened to him he was already skinny. I use to give him swedish bitters patavite incremin which is a iron supplement and some days half of b50 and calcium and magnesium supplement called cp mp and liquid vit d. better start again. My husband was joking yesterday he is the only kid who doesn't like chips in the world. Only thing makes noticeable change is b50 and lime water but when I stop he goes back. I am looking cure. How do I test for worms? I will try fletchers castoria and probiotcs when I go to the shops next. I started him on b50 and lime water yesterday. today I will give him bitters and incremin and lime water see how I go.