underweight toddler

I have a 12 month old and she is 16.5 lbs. The doctor said to give her another 2 months to gain weight before we become concerned. I was told high carbs is the way to go. What, besides bread, should I be feeding her? She has recently become a picky eater.

[Renee Radenberg]

For underweight children, they should consume daily all the nutrients with protein foods for all meals and snacks.  Give her Pedisure in place of milk if you have switched to milk from formula. If you are still using formula then stay with formula until your MD advices you to switch to Pedisure. She should have a protein source each meal --- meat / fish or cheese or yogurt; with a carbohydrate --- bread, pasta, rice, cereal; and a fat ---- pat of butter or mayonnaise if you made a sandwich (children under 3 years old need foods with regular fat for brain development). You stated she is becoming a picky eater, hopefully she will still eat vegetables and fruit at each meal too. You should continue with daily multi-vitamins your MD prescribed about 6-8 months old. If not then, start with the daily children chewable multi-vitamins. Hope this helped you.