Take 2: How best to advise parents whose child is undereating?

The nutrition of babies can be managed by adjusting the calorie density of food

The nutrition of babies can be managed by adjusting the calorie density of food.

“It is important to get it right from early on,” says Associate Professor John Sinn, a neonatologist at Royal North Shore Hospital.

“If the baby is on solids and they are malnourished, think about high caloric intake, in other words, good fat,” he advises.

“Avocado, things like olive oil – those things that have unsaturated fat [are] better.”

Sometimes doctors will need to increase the calorie density of formula.

“We can actually make it more dense,” says Associate Professor Sinn. “So instead of 20 calories for 30 mL, we can make it 26 calories.”