My 2 1/2 yr. old daughter only weighs 24lbs. and 34inches. She eats, but not alot. What could the prob. be?

Question

The nutritionist is concerned sience her last visit 6 months prior. They say she didn't even put on a full pound, and she didn't grow very much. I said my daughter eats but not a lot. She can be picky at times, but I offer her different foods. I take her for her 2 1/2 yr. check-up soon, but I don't want the doctor looking at me like I neglect my baby's needs. My daughter is healthy, and very smart, so I know she's healthy, but I'm just really concerned. And people say she must have gotten it from me cuz, I'm very pettite. But I tell them that I was really fat as a baby and so was her father. And no one on either side was ever as pettite as her at that age. Do you think something is wrong with her? Should I really worry? Or am I just over reacting? I need some advice. Please help me.

Answer 1

If she seems healthy to you, then you shouldn't worry. And it probably runs in the family, as you said. I have a younger brother who is a bit small for his age and a very picky eater. Just try different foods with your daughter and see what she likes. It will open her food choices, and she may gain a few pounds if you'd like her to. But sounds to me like she's doing just fine.

Answer 2

It sounds as if she is simply the child of a small and petite Mother. Her weight seems OK. But since you said a "nutritionist" made a comment about her weight I wouldn't really put very much on that at all. A nutritionist works with standard growth charts and averages that wouldn't include your specifics.

I would let her eat at her leisure. She may not want to eat when YOU sit down to dinner. But also try her at every meal..........

As long as her protein levels are doing well then she is doing fine on the nutrition. The Pediatrician should be doing a hemoglobin anyway.

I wouldn't really try to "fatten" her up but just to add a pound or 2 can be done. My daughter weighs 27 lbs and she is 2 1/2.

My daughter loves to "dip" things like most 2 year olds so I give her carrot sticks, cucumber or celery to dip in ranch dressing.

She also loves crackers so I let her dip those as well. If you are offering her different foods then she will find something that she likes.

A grilled cheese is very nutritious, especially on whole grain breads. In fact if you break down the ingredients in a grill cheese your baby would actually get several nutrients and vitamins.

Keep milk in her diet, 2% for health reasons.

You are not over reacting.....you are being a good Mommy.

Concern is your job.......................

Answer 3

You really can't control how light a child his, just how heavy. If she's active and healthy, then you're probably doing just a fine job of feeding her.

How do her limbs and joints look? Do her ribs stick out, or is she just skinny?

There are some conditions indicated by low weight gain, and this is a very good reason for seeing your doctor. If you are truly concerned about if your daughter is eating enough, then keep a log for a week of everything she eats, and take that to your doctor as well. Ask for a comparison to height and weight charts to see if she is way off from where she is.

Should your really worry? I shudder to think of the alternative - absolute indifference!! Of course you should worry - you're a parent, and that's part of the job. I have a 2 year old at home, and worrying is essential to survival.

You should be concerned, but remember that the massive weight gain of the first year doesn't continue, and that there will be spikes and valleys. We've hardly seen any weight gain in the last six months either, and in fact a bit of loss, but our boy is spending a lot more time running around outside than he used to.

Answer 4

She does sound petite - well, small actually. BUT, my daughter was in the 3rd percentile when she was about 8 or 9 months old. The doctor did a thyroid test on her, which came back negative (which was good). Now, she's in the 25th percentile.

Just because you and your hubby were chubsters as babies doesn't mean she's going to be. There are other people she might resemble physically (people further back than your immediate family).

Discuss this with her doctor, because I think your instincts should always be followed. If you have a good doctor, they won't think you're neglecting your child. Before her appt., keep a daily food list of what and how much you're feeding her. You may just need to feed some higher calorie items - and then again, you may not need to do anything.

You might talk about the thyroid issue and see if the doc thinks it's worth doing. But honestly, if your little girl is developmentally on track with everything else, she might just have a high metabolism. It kinda drives me nuts. My youngest is 16 months old now, and people are always surprised - "Oh! She's so small, I thought she was much younger." Yeah, *spit*. I think we compare children too much these days. But on the other hand, if you're worried, then talk about it to your ped. Good luck!

Answer 5

Our two-and-a-half year old is the same size... she also hasn't put on weight since her last checkup, but her doctor is not concerned at all. I am also petite, and it may just be a genetic factor. Sometimes children appear to stop growing, but they are really doing a different kind of growing. I bet your daughter speaks very well. Perhaps, like my daughter, your daughter is doing a lot of brain growth. When that spurt slows down, I bet our daughters' physical growth will pick up again. Remember, as a mom, you are the best judge of knowing intuitively when something is not right with your child, so if you are still concerned after her next checkup, ask to have your child referred to a genetic specialist who should be able to test for any genetic abnormalities that may be causing her to not gain weight. In the meantime, enjoy all the "smarts" she is gaining!

Answer 6

I really would not worry much. My grandson, Gage, is 2 also and he is about the same weight. He is healthy and happy, eats very well, but is just not a big kid. Now on the other hand, my son, Gage's uncle, was about 40 pounds at that age and not one ounce of fat on him. He was a very tall very big kid. I'll be honest with you, it is easier having a smaller child and the reason is strange....people used to give me a terrible time about my poor son. When he was not even a year old he really looked about 3, and people harassed me terribly, "why is that kid still in diapers at that age", "why is that kid still not talking at that age", "why is that kid acting like such a baby"....well the answer was simple...he was still a baby. But people being nosey they assumed he was much older. Just enjoy your child, whatever the size, age, etc. Take it from a Grandma....enjoy every minute because next thing you know....you too will be answering questions....using your grandchildren as examples....and yes I too never dreamed it would ever happen to me lol.

Answer 7

I wouldn't worry that much my son will be 4 in oct., he only weights 30 pnds i feed him and he's healthy ,he is also a picky eater at times .I'm not a doctor so i cant say for sure but i have 4 children my sons younger sister was born at almost 11 pounds shes still chubby and the doctors are concerned about her being overwieght i .think everything will be ok i woud just tell the doc about your concerns

Answer 8

My daughter is 3 !/2 and has the same height and weight as your daughter. I am petite too. The dr. asked about family height and said my daughter will always be small. She was also a preemie so this may factor in as well. Don't worry, as long as she's healthy and developing well, you have nothing to be concerned about.

Answer 9

I think that as long as your baby is happy and shown love, she will be fine. Let her eat when she's hungry, as long as she is vivrant and full spirited. If you start to see a change in her energy levels and things like that something could possibly be wrong internally perhaps. But this is only my opinion.

In reality you should take her to the doctor until they find out what's wrong if you are worried that something is wrong.

Answer 10

You shouldn't worrie. Friends of mine have a three year old boy and he is only 27 pounds and has been for a while. He is just very active and burns off everything he eats. All kids grow at differant rates. I wouldn't worry at all.