Would you give your kid a protein smoothie?

[StJuniper]

R is teething and has a sore throat or some such horrifying combination. His mouth is bothering him so much he can't even suck his thumb; he's nursed a little these past few days but today refused entirely. He's not eating much either, and is fussy about which cup he drinks from. All in all, he's not a happy camper, and is starting to lose weight. I was thinking of making him a green smoothie with a scoop of protein powder, full-fat milk, berries, and spinach. But is there any reason it might not be a food idea to give protein powder to a one-year-old? It's whey protein...

[Treeb]

I know their protein needs are a lot lower than ours. I'm not sure about protein powder specifically, but a while ago I looked into protein bars and I think the recommendation was that young kids should only have half a bar. I always made L's smoothies with full fat yogurt which would give some fats and protein in a more "natural" way. I've also at various times included oats, ground flax, peanut butter, frozen peas, etc, which would each add a different nutritional boost.

It's tough when they're not feeling well and won't eat! We had a phase with L where the only way we could get fluids into him was with giving him popsicles to suck on. I expressed some milk and froze that into popsicles for him. I also freeze any leftover smoothies into popsicles which he seems to enjoy.

[FestiveTidings]

Again I've never given protein powder to either of mine but after bouts of illness I have gone down the loads of healthy fats rule - full fat thick yoghurt, cream, butter, nuts, avocados etc.

You could easily whizz some of those up in a smoothie?

[emzit]

Protein powder specifically says not for kids, so no, I wouldnt.

[DianeCooper]

I think it should be avoided for kids. I do not prefer a protein smoothie for my kid.

[StJuniper]

If only you had showed up sooner, Diane! I've been giving him protein shakes all this time and he turned into a mutant!

[mamapup]

Tee hee.

[bigcatmaniac]

My dd2 (21 months) is not really a big protein eater at the best of times and had back molars coming through - bulging gums for the last couple of months - regularly chucking her plate off the table. I've just started giving her houmous, peanut butter etc straight out the tub on a spoon for her to suck off rather than in a sandwich to chew (as it gets chucked). I've started since xmas to have homemade nut granola with full fat Greek yoghurt and chia seeds on top for brekkie - so lots of protein (and calcium) - if I give her the powdery bit of granola from the bottom of the tub with the seeds and yoghurt off my spoon, she loves it. Or a normal smoothie with same yoghurt in with chia seeds too. She loves it!

Big cat