Should children drink high energy milk?

My child is 9 months old, has poor appetite and is underweight. I want to give him high-energy milk to help him gain weight better. Is that okay? (Thanh Huyen, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

High-energy milk is often used for children with poor appetite, poor absorption, low weight, malnutrition, underweight or short stature compared to age standards.

This type of milk has one and a half to two times more energy than regular milk. Depending on the case, children can use high-energy milk at an appropriate level.

In special cases, for example when a child is sick and cannot eat or absorb nutrients, high-energy milk can be used several times a day. The doctor may prescribe 6 servings of this milk a day to replace missed meals.

In mild cases, doctors often prescribe a high-energy milk meal in the evening so as not to affect other meals. If the baby has reached the standard weight and height, it is recommended to stop and switch to normal formula milk.

Using high-energy milk incorrectly can make your child lose appetite. If your child does not eat a variety of foods and only drinks milk, it can easily lead to overweight, obesity or micronutrient deficiencies such as iron and zinc deficiency, and the risk of nutritional anemia.

Parents who choose high-energy milk for their children need to see a doctor directly for examination and consultation to suit the child's physical condition. To effectively improve children's anorexia, underweight, and malnutrition, you need to combine many other factors, so you should take your child to a nutritionist for a doctor to advise on a treatment regimen.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System

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