my baby is 11 months old now and he weighs just 8 kg. His birth weight was 3.17kg. Is it normal? Suggest me some food for weight gain

Question

Accepted Answer

Your 11-month-old baby weighing 8 kg is slightly on the lower side but still within an acceptable range. Ideally, a baby's weight should be around 2.5–3 times the birth weight by 1 year, which means he should ideally be around 8.5–9.5 kg. Since he was born at 3.17 kg, his weight gain has been a little slow, but it is not alarming if he is active, eating well, and meeting milestones.

Reasons for Slow Weight Gain High metabolism – Some babies naturally gain weight slowly. Picky eating or small appetite – Not taking enough calorie-dense foods. Frequent illnesses – Cold, infections, or digestion issues can slow weight gain. Lack of nutrient-dense foods – Low intake of proteins and healthy fats. Foods to Help Your Baby Gain Weight

Feed high-calorie, nutritious foods multiple times a day:

✅ Dairy & Fats:

Full-fat cow's milk (after 1 year), cheese, paneer, homemade ghee, butter. Curd/yogurt – rich in probiotics and easy to digest.

✅ Protein-Rich Foods:

Moong dal, masoor dal, toor dal (lentils). Egg yolk, chicken, fish (if non-vegetarian). Tofu, soya chunks, besan cheela.

✅ Energy-Dense Carbs:

Rice, ragi porridge, suji (semolina) halwa, oats. Whole wheat roti with ghee. Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes.

✅ Fruits & Nuts:

Banana, avocado, mango, chikoo, papaya (rich in healthy fats). Almond powder, walnut powder, peanut butter (if no allergy).

✅ Homemade Weight Gain Foods:

Dry Fruit Powder: Roast almonds, cashews, walnuts, and grind them into a fine powder. Mix with milk or porridge. Khichdi with Ghee: Rice + dal + vegetables + ghee. Egg & Banana Pancake: Mash a banana with egg, cook as a pancake. Paneer Paratha: Stuffed paneer with wheat flour, cooked in ghee. Tips to Improve Appetite & Digestion

✔️ Small, frequent meals (5–6 times a day).
✔️ No junk food – Avoid too much biscuits, packaged juices.
✔️ Encourage self-feeding – Let the baby explore food textures.
✔️ Outdoor play – Helps in improving appetite.

When to Worry?

🚨 If the baby is not eating at all, appears weak, irritable, or is losing weight instead of gaining, consult a pediatrician to rule out nutrient deficiencies or digestive issues.

Would you like a sample meal plan for your baby?