When the child...gains weight slowly

One common question that parents often ask their doctor is, "Why is my child not gaining weight as quickly as their peers?" There can be many reasons for this, but one common issue is not getting enough nutrients. This could be due to the child's own behavior or their upbringing. If a child refuses to eat their main meals, it could be because they have easy access to snacks or sweets that they prefer over regular food. Eating too many sweets or snacks, especially half an hour to an hour before a meal, can cause the child's body to have enough sugar in their blood, which does not stimulate hunger. Caregiving habits and eating habits are also important factors, such as parents who want their children to eat more will try to feed them every time they can, from infancy to childhood, and continue to spoon-feed them even when they are old enough to feed themselves. Eventually, when the child reaches the age where they can refuse, they will begin to run away from food.

However, there are some children who have a genetic issue where they are unable to grow properly, such as those with parents who are small in stature or have a history of being small as children. Other factors that could cause a child to not gain weight at a normal pace could be due to health issues that are known, such as being born prematurely or having chronic illnesses that require hospitalization or medical treatment, or even severe allergies that require frequent medical attention.

There is another group of children who are able to consume very little because they become tired when nursing. They have to take frequent breaks to catch their breath and can only suckle for a short time. They also produce a lot of sweat when nursing and become weak and lethargic. When they grow up, they are unable to walk or run as well as their peers. This group of children may have problems with their respiratory or circulatory system, and common diseases include congenital heart defects such as a hole in the heart wall or an enlarged blood vessel outside the heart. Sometimes these conditions can be detected by parents who notice the child's chest area on the left side beating rapidly or hear a whooshing sound when they place their ear to the child's chest. If there is any suspicion, the child should be examined thoroughly by a cardiologist. Children with heart disease, in addition to being small due to their limited food intake, also have to work harder than normal hearts and use more energy, which can prevent them from growing despite adequate nutrition.

This information is supported by the Baby Guide book.