concerned about my toddler

my son is 2 years 4 months..and goes for days without eating anything...just few ozs of milk..he doesnt like milk too...he is just 21 pounds ..is very active . plz help . I have tried every possible way to make him eat without any success. His tummy is always flat...it never looks full. main thing is he never sits and eats. and I dont want to encourage running after him..coz that also doesnt help. I calculated the amount of calories he eats on a typical day which is about 600-700 maximum. what should I do? plz help

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is below the 5th percentile and his height is just above the 10th percentile for his age. Suggest giving him Pediasure or milkshakes (milk, fruit-if he accepts it, and ice cream blended) at all meals and snacks in place of milk for additional calories and protein. If he likes yogurt you can give him yogurt smoothies (yogurt, fruit and ice cream blended) for extra calories/protein, too. You did mention the type of food he does eat. At 24 months he should be eating regular foods and eating on his own. Give him what he does like to eat.  Recommend a daily chewable children multi-vitamin with iron due to his eating habits. The most important thing is to RELAX. Remember meals need to be joyous for you and him. Slowly introduce new foods, and if he does not want it, do not make a fuss over it. Let it go and enjoy the meal. Hoped that helped you.