She’s 10 months old and weighs 5.5kgs. How can I get her to eat and add weight?
Esther Kimani Staff
Please visit a nutritionist for further consultation as this will enable you to have a more personalized approach. At this time your baby should be eating a wide variety of foods especially the high energy foods like healthy fats and carbohydrates. Give foods from all food groups as follows:
A variety of other foods should be added to the staple every day to provide other nutrients. These include:
1. Foods from animals or fish are good sources of protein, iron and zinc. Liver also provides vitamin A and folate. Egg is a good source of protein and vitamin A, but not of iron. A child needs the solid part of these foods, not just the watery sauce.
2. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt, are useful sources of calcium, protein, energy and B vitamins.
3. Pulses – peas, beans, lentils, are good sources of protein, and some iron. Eating sources of vitamin C (for example, tomatoes, citrus and other fruits, and green leafy vegetables) at the same time helps iron absorption.
4. Orange-coloured fruits and vegetables such as carrot, pumpkin, mango and papaya, and dark-green leaves such as spinach, are rich in carotene, from which vitamin A is made, and also vitamin C.
5. Fruits such as many fresh vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, green and red peppers, cauliflower, lemon, cabbage, pineapples, strawberries, citrus fruits
6. Fats and oils are concentrated sources of energy, and of certain essential fats that children need to grow.
7. Staples foods like Carbohydrates and starches like Ugali, Rice, potatoes, Matoke, sweet potatoes, Arrow roots etc
