Son Gaining (and Gaining And Gaining Weight)

[OBXMom]

Has anyone had experience with a child who gained too much weight following diagnosis? How did you handle this? My son had not gained weight for years prior to diagnosis, so we were thrilled when every doctor's appointment showed him a couple of pounds heavier. Now, 2 years later, he weights 20 pounds more, and a significant amount of it has settled around his middle.

He went through feeding therapy at a children's hospital to learn to overcome fears of new foods, and still won't eat fruit, but he has made huge progress. I don't want to make eating in any way negative, because of his history, but I am afraid I am going to have to make some big changes. It is hard to go from begging a child to eat to saying, sorry, no snacks.

[EmilyR83]

How much does he weigh? What percentile is he in? Is his doctors concerned about his weight gain?

Do you give him a lot of junk food? If that is the reason for the weight gain, I would start by feeding him healthier "junk food"-homemade cookies, homemade fruit roll ups, homemade beef jerky, etc... See if that helps.

He may just be balancing himself from years of "malnutrition" and need the extra weight gain.

[Rondar2001]

My daughter had me concerned at first with this very issue. She gained weight so fast and grew like a weed. I was especially keeping an eye on it as she wasn't really small to begin with. I have found this slowed down after she had been gluten free for a full year; she is the same size as her peers now.

Like you, I was very hesitant to take away any foods. One thing we have done instead of trying to change her diet too much is increase her exersize and I think this has helped out. I now try to have her in gymnastics or swimming at least once a week.

Good luck, if it is a real concern I would discuss it with his doctor.