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underweight children

Hi- I have 2 children.  My son is 3 years old and he weighs 26 lbs, and my daughter is 16 months old and she weights 18 lbs.  Neither of my children were premies or had any other feeding problems at all.  But the main thing is that they HATE to eat!  I have tried all different kinds of foods and textures and tastes.  But its like every single bite that goes into their mouths has to be forced or bribed with candy or something!  Thats the only way I can get them to eat anything.  Their pediatrician is not too concerned as we are south asians and generally small boned and petite people.  However, I feel that they are just not gaining weight and now feeding times are just dreadful times for me.  I will admit that they both like to eat fruits so I try to feed them a lot of that.  But other than that there is nothing that they will eat with certainty.  I do add butter, oil, etc to whatever they eat and I give them whole milk of course.  My younger one refuses to drink Pediasure or Carnation, although I can get my older one to drink (with force) about 8 ounces of Pediasure and/or Carnation a day.  Sometimes if I'm lucky they will eat avocados.  But the bottom line is, there are just not getting enough calories in to gain any weight!  Its so frustrating and to be honest I feel like my kids are sickly looking because they are so skinny.  Any suggestions??
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267079 tn?1195142970
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Both of your children are tall for their age so they appear 'skinny'. Your daughter is within normal weight for her age and your son is only a few lbs under weight for his age. Make milkshakes instead of Pedisure and children love to be a part of making them. All it takes is milk, ice cream and some banana (any fruit which you stated they love). Whip it up in a blender and you have a drink packed with protein and calories. It is important that mealtime does not become a battlefield of the wits. You need to enjoy your meals as much as your children. After mealtimes are calmer, try to introduce some food (one item at a time) to them. If they refuse, then do not become upset. Relax. Try again after a few months. Hope this helped you and thank you for your question.
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Avatar universal
FYI: my son is 3 yrs old, 26 lbs, and 37 1/2 inches.  My daughter is 16 months old, 18 lbs, and 31 inches.
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