underweight toddler?

Lisa Figueroa

Took Ella to the dr's and the dr mentioned that Ella is at least 3-5 pounds underweight. It's odd because Ella is our big eater! My girl isn't picky. She'll eat whatever is put down in front of her!!! The Dr sorta freaked out and made it sound like being underweight was a terrible terrible thing. And on our well care visit sheet she suggested that I, "feed her piles of food!" (no joke!)

My thing is that when I was little I was tiny. Per my Mom I was still wearing 4T-5T clothes in the first grade and second grade. And I didn't break 50 lbs until the 3rd grade. And H as a tot was also on the small side. I mean, in highschool he weighed 115 lbs!

Am I supposed to really feed her piles of food? What if this becomes a thing and because of my constant nagging, she starts to over eat? And honestly, is 3-5 pounds a cause for me to shove food in her mouth whenever I can? She's only 17 months! Anyone familar with having an underweight tot? Any suggestions?

 

Jenn09/04

We have the same concerns with Reese. Even though she was huge at birth (9lbs 10ozs) she's now only 18lbs at almost 16 months. Not only is she under weight, she's also very short. She can still wear a lot of size 9 month clothing.

Our pedi did some blood  work and all of her vitamin levels were within normal. She eats everything in sight and almost always out eats Rhian. There is no way that I can get anymore nutrients into her and I refuse to feed her a diet of empty calories just to put some weight on her when she is otherwise healthy.

We've just come to terms with the fact that Reese is small. While dh and I are both over 6', we each had grandmothers that we're under 5' and under 100lbs. It's very likely that she just pulled those genes in the dna lottery.

I wouldn't put too much worry into it if she is eating a healthy diet and isn't having any health issues. Some kids are just small.

mariavictoriax

Jake is small for his age as well.  When I was little, I used to be on the small side, too.  After some blood work was done, his pedi ruled out any metabolic abnormalities and decided that he just has a high metabolism (which is obvious because he is sooo active).  She has prescribed for him to take a multivitamin (Poly-Vi-Sol), 8 oz of whole milk, and 2 cans of Pediasure a day. 

I wouldn't try to feed Ella "piles of food" because it sounds like she's already a big eater.  If you force-feed her, it would just set her up for a habit of overeating.  Maybe ask your pedi about vitamins and a nutritional supplement.

julnmatt

I also would not recommend making her eat piles of food.  It can go both ways.....she can become an over eater or just hate food period and have other eating issues. 

My brother weighed 29 pounds for 3 years!  3 YEARS!!!!!  My mom would get the 'make him eat' all the time from his doctor, but it did not matter.  He still has a VERY small stomach.  He did not eat a whole hamburger until he was out of high school.  He is extremely thin (I think about 140) and is about 6' tall.  He has never had much of an appetite and is healthy.

BrandyB!

Piles of food? Really? What doctor would say something like that? Hmmm. I don't agree especially if you say she's already a good eater. I'd worry more that forcing her to eat would cause food issues down the road. She'll catch up - she's just tiny (and ain't nothing wrong with that sister!)?

Marley is about to be 22 months. Still fits into her 9 months clothing and weighs 20 lbs. soaking wet. Her pedi isn't concerned and neither am I. She eats a ton and is healthy.

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Saige&John

Agree w/ all PP.  Ben is 16 months and weighs 20lbs.  Our doc tells us that he will eat as much as his body needs to nourish itself and that whatever we try to shove down his throat, he simply will not eat.  We were concerned about possibly not offering him enough food (because we though we might not be eating enough) and the doc said not to worry.  He is small, but healthy, and like the PP say, is just probably getting the genes from some small people in our family.  Not a big deal.  I would do what you think is right.  As long as you are offering her a nutritional assortment of food, you are doing what you are supposed to do.

tmp-535278437507318

Sorry - but WTH!  Jocelyn was 20 lb at 18 mo, 22 lb at 21 mo.  Ella is petite and so long as she's eating, pooping, playing, communicating, thriving, etc...she's perfect!  You're doing great Mama!  Don't ever doubt it!

hulachick

Mia has been 30lbs since 24 months! I was shocked at her 3 year WCC that she had not broken it. She has her moments where she eats like a bird but then has some where it seems like she eats like a pig. Her ped is always preaching about eating healthy. He has not mentioned about her weight being the same for over a year. Given the family hx, she might just be a petite girl

Lisa Figueroa

Thanks everyone! I'm just going to make sure she gets her healthy meals/snacks and let it go...The last thing I need is my little girl obsessed with her weight because I forced her to eat piles of food or because I obsessed over it!

And though I was small and underweight as a kid, I've certainly been able to put on weight just fine!!! aaaah!

Bubble1421

I wouldn't worry about having her eat piles of food. Mine will not eat if they aren't hungry. My 3 year old is approx 27lbs, about 37" tall and wears between a 2T & 3T but most 3Ts are too big especially the waist of the pants. My 7 year old is approx 40lbs, about 46" tall and is just now starting to fit into size 6 slim clothing. They are prefectly healthy and eat well. They both have a TON of energy and run me ragged most of the time. Julie can vouch for that one!!!! I swear they burn off more than they eat.