poor growth and low weight/hgt.

My son is 3 yrs old. He was born premie, poor birth weight, no respiratory issues, but was IUGR. No cause identified. But on average healthy but slow in weight and height gain, always had problem taking milk, drank very little quantity. Pediatrician and Gastro say he's fine except for growth. He caneat everything but does not. what he eats each day is less than minimum need for the day. Eats fruits, meat, rice, pasta, vegetables too, but everything he eats is like by chance and by hard luck. I want to know how I can help him gain weith and eat right. I do all tricks, include him in food prep, read books on gardening, vegetable and fruits, he watches good cartoons to get model, what ever but he does eat more than a rat. so he can not basically put on weight, height. I want him to feel the need to eat. He gets cough and phlegm when he eats ice creams, so milk shakes and ice creams dont work, he doesn;t take high calorie food, if he does he doenst eat the rest of the day. Please help as I feel desperate and puzzled.

[Renee Radenberg]

You are correct that his weight and height are below the 3rd percentile for his age. Instead of milkshakes, suggest yogurt smoothies (yogurt or soy yogurt and frozen fruit blended) which is not as nutrient dense as milkshakes, however, is extra protein and calories to help him grow. Make sure he is eating a protein food each meal (meat, fish, cheese, or yogurt) too. Some tips for additional calories: If he likes pasta, then add meat or cream sauces to the pasta instead of plain tomato sauce or plain pasta. Add dry milk to oatmeal, mashed potatoes, gravies, creamed vegetables, and creamed soups (add additional meats to soups). Use all fat dairy products and no low fat foods so he gets the calories he needs. As he grows and gain weight after a few years, then you can go to lower fat dairy items. Hoped this helped you.