anyone's 5 y.o. weigh more than 50 lbs? please come in!

MrsGabbs4Ed

Stephanie had her 5 year well visit today.  She's 53 lbs. (95th percentile).  Her height is consistent in the 95th percentile as well though. The ped asked me what type of milk I was giving and I said 1%.  It was recommended I switch to skim. Really? Drinking 1% milk makes her big? The kid eats like a football player and is built like one.  She is very active though.  No sports, but she does dance class. She doesn't even look fat....just looks like she has the body of a 7 year old. People always comment "OMG she's 5? She is so big and tall for her age blah blah blah".  I usually just ignore the comments.

I can't believe how uncomfortable the whole discussion made me feel...I just felt like there was a big flashing sign on the wall that said "your kid is fat and needs to lose weight".  (maybe that's due to my own body issues....who knows).  I feel so ashamed even starting this post.  She has no health issues....she's a healthy kid....just a giant!!  The ped said not to be concerned, yet I still am.  I am hoping others can relate if you also have gigantic kids.

50ftqueenie

I never understood the concern when their height percentile matched the weight. Would it be better if they were 95th for height and 30th for weight? We had the talk at Mia's 5 year visit. She put on close to 10 lbs between 4-5  but she also was in the 75% for height (I think she was 85th for weight at that time?). The kid barely eats and when she does, it's healthy stuff (for the most part, I'm not a tyrant or anything). I have major body issues and have struggled w/ my weight my entire life and like you, that conversation left me feeling like utter $hit. Fast forward to her 6 year visit, she put on 1.5 lbs (she weighed 50 lbs at her 5 y/o, 51.5 at 6) and grew another 3 inches. She's now 85% for height and 70th for weight. So now there's no concern. They make you crazy. I give Mia fat free milk just because that's what they suggested after a certain age but I don't think that 1% is going to make her overweight. You know what she eats, if you feel she eats a healthy diet, then don't stress. Odds are she'll even out. Mia is one of the lankiest kids in her class and I could kick myself for how much I let all of this get to me.

TARAnj

well my 3yr old weighs 40 so I'm sure I'm right behind you. I got the talk too and I felt like the worst mom in the planet. She gets skim milk and I do feed my kid healthy.  SHe just likes food and I'm not putting her on a diet at 3.  I can control things at home, but it's not fair to her to tell her at 3 she can't have pizza if we are out with friends or chocolate milk at grandmas.  

jennmichael

MY 5YR HAS ALWAYS BEEN 95 FOR BOTH HEIGHT AND WEIGHT.

jennmichael

followin up , but he drinks 1, 2 and whole milk. since i buy organic sometimes teh store si out or we run out of the 1 or 2 and he drinks my daughters whole milk. i wouldnt worry about it. some of these peds are so old school. do what you think is best. eventually I will switch to 1 or skim milk, just form a health stand point less fat, but not now, maybe when they are 8 or 9. they still have days when they dont feel like eating much so i give them the 2% milk to help fill them up.   i wouldnt worry about it

debfife

My 4 year old is overweight. The dr told me to cut out fast food. I laughed. She's never had fast food. She doesn't drink milk either on the occasion she asks for some, she gets skim. She said to be mindful of what she's eating and how much and we'll revisit it at her next visit. She also said she could have gained weight prior to having a height growth spurt. G is also very active (dance, karate, swim, etc), loves her bike, exercises daily so it's not a case of lazy either. 

kellyann1972

LOL no

but I will say Ryan chunks out about 3 months prior to a growth spurt, he looks a little chubby and BAM another 3 inches. I think if the %s match its OK. Ryan dos soccer three days a week and a Kid Fit class. He does have "snacks" but also healthy stuff. I am not worried.

I WISH Reilly at almost 6 would hit 40 lbs! It looks like I starve her, and if you saw her eat....well 

Mrs.angel2003

Big kid here as well.  She has always been 95% for height.  Her weight has been anywhere from 70-95%.  I felt concerned at her 5 year visit, the ped didn't seem concerned at all.  She has always been a good eater and we are an everything in moderation family.

If she's always consistently been big and the ped isn't worried, try not to stress!  Between five and six Lia hardly gained any weight and has really grown out of her baby body. 

 

MrsGabbs4Ed

50ftqueenie you hit the nail on the head.  Why do I let it drive me nuts???  FWIW, Stephanie has been big and tall since she was born and Evan is following the same suit as well (although he's more tall than he is big).  We have the occasional fast food indulgence which pretty much consists of Dunkin once per week (and she doesn't always eat a donut either....she likes the bacon egg and cheese on a bagel).  Ehhh as I type this she dramatically lays on the floor proclaiming "Mommy I am SOOOOOO hungry!!!!"

 

jbhoney96

Brandon is 53 pounds but i know it that isnt in the 95th percentile for boys. He is in the 95th for height though. The Dr. has never mentioned anything about his weight except that it is all in his height. We still drink 2% milk here. I never even thought about switching.

MrsDB

I hear the concern. My daughter isn't skinny. I don't think she looks overweight either though. She's got a little bit of chub on her, but not to an unhealthy amount IMO. I think it's necessary to have SOME body fat. The doctor did make a mention of it at her last visit. I don't know how much she weighs now- her check up will be in a month. The thing is though- she's a HEALTHY eater. For real. I don't know how or why, but she loves broccoli and prides herself in healthy choices, corrects me when i don't give her a fruit or veggie.  Yes, she has a cookie sometimes. Yes, she has a lollipop or a juice box here and there. But on a daily basis eats whole wheats, very little sugar, no HFCS if i can help it, TONS of fruits and veggies, lots of water. She's not really a milk drinker, she might have half a little mug (3 ounces maybe?) of 2% a day, and will skip a lot of days. 

So unless i start denying her all treats, there's nothing i can really do.  It's not an every day thing that i could just cut back on. But i worry. Because i myself have body issues. But i'm not going to give HER body issues by talking to her about it since I know she's living a healthy life. 

If she were a bad eater, i'd get rid of all treats for a bit and then practice moderation. We do "sugar bans" whenever i notice them creeping in as a daily thing, no sugar for 2 weeks, only fresh produce as snacks.  We all forget about the bad stuff pretty quick and a lot of times we go longer than intended because we just don't think about it.  

andreas4dogs

If she is 95th for height and weight, WTF is there even a comment about it???

Hell, I took Gabe for his 5 year well visit today and he was 49lbs...90th percentile...but only 50th for height. He is about 5lbs 'overweight'. 

He doesn't drink juice, only water...and milk at school. He always has had a big appetite. He is super active (no tv, video games, etc.). I have brought up his appetite to the developmental pediatrician but she doesnt seem concerned. We will just keep an eye on it...

BUT in your case the pediatrician is overreacting in my opinion. She isn't even overweight if she is in the 95th for height and weight...ridiculous.

Bride2004

I wouldn't even worry about.  My old ped. never said anything about DS's weight.  He was always in the 95 percentile.  When I switch peds. and he went for a check up, she mentioned that I should switch to 1% milk and to watch his weight.  DS is 4'2" and weighes 59 lbs.  I have to fight with him to eat anything and when his shirt is off, his spine, shoulder blades and ribs stick out!  He looks skinny!  I also get the comments from people who are shocked that he's only 5.  Like I said, I wouldn't worry about - I would continue what you're doing.

MrsGabbs4Ed

andreas4dogs:

If she is 95th for height and weight, WTF is there even a comment about it???

Hell, I took Gabe for his 5 year well visit today and he was 49lbs...90th percentile...but only 50th for height. He is about 5lbs 'overweight'. 

He doesn't drink juice, only water...and milk at school. He always has had a big appetite. He is super active (no tv, video games, etc.). I have brought up his appetite to the developmental pediatrician but she doesnt seem concerned. We will just keep an eye on it...

BUT in your case the pediatrician is overreacting in my opinion. She isn't even overweight if she is in the 95th for height and weight...ridiculous.

Hey Andrea! Wow I can't believe Gabe is so big too! We must make big babies....hahaha.  Stephanie has a HUGE appetite too....she eats more than me sometimes.  The ped did tell me to not be concerned but the thing about the milk just irritated me. 

mrs.marie.g

we haven't had belle's yet. but i imagine she'll be close to 50. her and stephy seem on par. stephy is NOT overweight in my opinion and neither is belle. they are healthy.

if i recall your dh is pretty tall which could attribute to her sizing

belle eats SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many fruits and vegetables its ridiculous. actually now that you say it belle is on 2% still i think. and seriously last year her one teacher at my gym thought she was six. im like nope just turned 4.

i wouldn't worry about it. as long as she's active. i would make sure she stays active (especially when she goes to school) belle does soccer in the fall/spring and dance and gym in the winter/summer. just keep her active and she'll be fine.

but yes there is a big difference in skim and 1%. just make sure she's eating a well rounded diet. it will all work out.

 

MrsGabbs4Ed

mrs.marie.g:

if i recall your dh is pretty tall which could attribute to her sizing

Yup that is Ed!! He is 6'5!!!   Evan is 33 inches already and he's 16 months old.  I am going to be the shortest one in my family (I am 5'5. hahaha!)

NanetLiz

At his 4 yr old check up Joaquin was 53 lbs and 44" inches tall. For both >95% but my boy has always being tall and "solid". The ped just said to watch carbs, but seriously he is very active with soccer and karate and does not eat extravagantly. He is just build that way. 

wed2506

is it possible Dr. is saying something because he fears she will become overweight if she continues on this path?  I agree with others, if you know she eats well and are comfortable with it then so be it.  I will tell you that at Andrew's 1 year visit dr told me to automatically out him on 1 or 2 percent.  He mentioned that recent studies now suggest that children no longer need the "fat" from whole milk as was thought at one time.  My little guy is 28 lbs (90th percentile) and 33 inches (off charts) at age one and I was worried about him being too big or heavy...dr laughed and told me he was fine and there was no concern.  I would not let it get to you.