17 month old with allergies

[jessgray]

my son is 17months old and is losing weight he has lost half a kilo in the past 4-6 weeks.
he is on s26 LF formula and he drinks only milk or water. he breaks out in eczema when he eats berries.spews when he has dairy or soy or fish.
could his intolerances and allergies be making him not gain weight?
he hasnt been anymore active then normal so i cant see where or why he lost so much weight.
i am not sure what to do. he eats alot. and only eats healthy food.

[the pero clinic]

Dear Jessgray,

It is always a concern for parents when their children don’t gain weight or start to lose weight.

It is unusual that your son would have lost weight if he seems to be eating a lot and there don’t seem to be other factors to account for it – such as increased activity levels or illness. Are you weighing him with the same scales and in a consistent way (e.g. no clothes, or just singlet and empty nappy)?

If you feel your measurements are accurate and your son has indeed lost weight, it would be a very good idea to keep a close eye on his weight and intake. I would also recommend that you consider a follow-up appointment with the paediatrician / doctor / dietitian / gastroenterologist who you have seen regarding your son’s food allergies.

I cannot say whether his food allergies are related to his weight loss or his digestive system’s management of the food that he eats – it would be best to discuss this with your doctor.

In the meantime, try to offer your son an extra small meal during the day, or slightly larger meals, to increase his intake. He should be eating every 2 -3 hours. Perhaps he is just going through a growth spurt and needs the extra energy. He may not feel enough hunger to prompt him to ask for more food, but he may eat if the food is offered.

In the lead up to seeing a doctor, if you continue to be concerned about your son’s weight, keep a food diary for 3 or 4 days so that you and the doctor can have an accurate record of the types and quantities of food your bub is eating.

the pero clinic