What is causing my daughter to be so short?

Question

She was born at 36 wks 5 days weighed 5 pounds 12. 9 ounces and was 19 inches long. Her adjusted age would be 10 almost 11 months but she will be 1 this month. She is still wearing 6/9 months clothing due to being so short. Is it because she was born early? I am 5'1 and my husband (her dad) is 5'10

WHATEVER27:I realize how old my daughter is and she is not ten months old, she will be one this month, so learn to read. I was just asking opinions and questions. FYI: i am not making a mountain out of it, i was just wondering if it was because i was so short since my 3 year old daughter is the same height as her 5 year old brother.

Answer 1

There's a very, very good chance that it's b/c your daughter was born early. Preemies need time to catch up on the growth chart, and yes, genetics plays a role too. You can't really rely on clothing sizes to gauge your baby's growth. My daughter is 4 and is average on the growth chart, yet wears a size 5/6 in shirts and a 4 in pants/shorts. It's not unusual for the sizes to not coincide with the baby/toddler's age. As long as your daughter is following her OWN growth curve and continuing to gain weight and grow in inches, that's all the matters. If you feel that she's not gaining enough weight or isn't eating enough, you should bring that up with the pediatrician.

Answer 2

My doctor told me that a child's height is the average between the parents, a bit larger for the boy and a bit shorter for the girl. I'm not sure how accurate this is. How does your daughter fall on the height chart? As long as she is growing along her natural 'curve' and not dropping percentiles each time you go, then I am sure she is fine. My daughter is 8 months and still fits into 3-6 months, so she will be wearing the same size as your daughter at about a year. She is long, but very thin and the doctor says this is OK. Check with your doctor, but I am sure he would have said something if he was concerned. Good luck!

Answer 3

i think she just might be short! my god daughter has always been tall and lanky like her dad (he's 6' 2") unlike her short mom (5' 2"). and to find clothes for her was a bit tough and the pants were always too short or the shirt was to long etc. you mentioned the heights of your other 2 children so you can see there as well they are both about the same but 2 years different. i don't think you need to be alarmed, for all you know she'll have a growth spurt in a year or so and be as tall as the 3 year old! (exaggeration there but you catch my drift)

Answer 4

dont worry to much my daught was short and it took almost 3 yr to get her to go past 28 pounds now she will be 4 and my 18 month old son is almost as tall as her its just in the blood my mom is only 4 feet 11 inches and im only 5 feet 6 and 3/4 inches (after shrinking i was 5feet 8 inches and there dad is 5 feet 8 so it just depends on the family

but check and ask the doctor about her being little i wouldnt wory to much my baby cousin is 2 yrs old and only weres 12 month clothing some times smaller and let me tell you he is little he is as tall as a 10 month old baby hers way smaller then my 18 month old so dont worry to much

Answer 5

Tell her physician that you want blood work done to test her thyroid hormone levels. My mom wondered the same thing about me for about 3 years..doc kept saying "genetics". But eventually my orthodontists noticed none of my baby teeth were falling out and I was already 8 y/o - he suggested that I might have an underactive thyroid. Had it been caught sooner I would have an extra 3 to 4 inches added on to my now adult height. It's jsut a small blood test but it's a very important one. Google Hypothryoidism and see if she has any of the symptoms.

Answer 6

Ok..This is going to sound mean..
Why get on here and ask a bunch of strangers who don't have a clue; especially ones that have not been to medical school? Please consult with her pediatrician if you have concerns about your daughter.

FYI.. Your daughter is only 10 months old, not 10 years old. Your daughter will have plenty of time to reach her growth percentile. Enjoy her, and be thankful she's a healthy 10 month old baby girl. We often make a mountain out of a ant hill with things that shouldn't matter!

Answer 7

Don't worry about it. My son was tiny too, wearing the small sizes for alot longer. (was in a 6-9m when he was 2) but he caught up. He is now 3 and a half and is wearing his size, he got his growth spurt. It is WAY to early to be able to say that she will be short. Babies grow in spurts. One day you will try on her pants and they will be two inches too short.

Answer 8

lol my son weighted 6lbs and 9ozs at birth and 19inches long i had him at 38 weeks , and now he is two years old still in 18 months clothes and some 12 months clothes he can wear too, i am 5'9 and my husband is 5'4 i think my son is short too , but some people say he is tall for his age but i don't think so , but i don't worry about that much because he is healthy and eat good so times when he wants to , just ask your doctor when she go for her check up

Answer 9

It sounds like neither of you are built like NBA players. It sounds like her growth is reflecting her genetics. If she is growing consistently along a curve and meeting milestones, I wouldn't be too worried.

My hubby and I aren't all that tall and like our doctor says, they're following in the family tradition. You expect to see the kids have a similar build to the parents.

Talk to her doc at her 1 year checkup.

Sounds normal to me.

Answer 10

I CAN RELATE! IM 5'7 MY HUSBAND IS 6'1 AND OUR DAUGHTER IS TOO TALL FOR HER AGE SHES 3 WITH THE HEIGHT OF SOME 5 YEARS OLD . dont worry its in her genes you are 5'1 and your husband is 5'10 ... all it is ... she probably wont be tall and that is not a bad problem either trust me kids made fun of me! just love her and enjoy ea. day becouse they are all precious! and happy b-day to her