How can I help my almost 2 year old gain weight?

Question

She weighs only 21 lbs. Her clothes are all too big for her around the waist. An 18 mo size is too short but fits her around the waist. But a 24 mo size is just the right length but will not fit her around the waist. It falls right off of her. I gotta let her wear suspenders or a belt constantly or they fall off of her. If it wasnt cold out she could just wear short pants... lol.
I do have a hard time getting her to eat. She will barely eat anything. And before you tell me to take her to the doctor... I have. They think she is fine and is just going to be skinny. But I am still worried. She doesn't eat enough to feed a mouse.

Answer 1

Toddlers arent big eaters. its normal. Talk to your mom. you'll probably find that you were in size slim clothes for most of your childhood.

Some children are string beans, but they eventually bulk out.

Theres nothing wrong with her, and forcing her to eat will only cause an endless battle of wills, and result in a middle schooler who still fights you on every meal.

Just keep meals handy and dont worry about it.

Some kids are just skinny.

Answer 2

I know how you feel. My daughter is now 4 1/2 years old and only weighs 33 lbs and skinny as a toothpick. No there is nothing wrong with her, just a fast metabolism. The doctors put her on protein shakes and we tried other things but she never gained any weight. She is in a 5T for most clothes but in the waist she needs like a 3T. What I did was take in her pants, but i only buy the elastic waist pants. Jeans just don't fit her right in the waist, so the elastic ones work best cause they are easier to take in. and from what i know 24 month clothes are for fat babies. My daughter always floated in them but 2T clothes fitted alot better. So try buying 2T elastic waist band pants. Now, getting her to eat,,,,she will eat when she is hungry. The doctors to me that she doesnt need to eat all her fruit, calcium, vegetable, and protein intake in a day, at that age it is okay if she gets all that she needs within a week and eating the same thing everyday is ok if that is what she is willing to eat. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Some kids eat more than others I have a niece who doesn't eat much either she is 4 and wears size 2 or 24 months clothes also the doctor had told my sister in law that she is okay and she will be skinny too aldo not to force her to eat you can increase her iron and maybe look at a natural store for vitamins, nut like I said DON"T forced her to eat more than she does hopefully with the iron and some vitamins her appetite will increase .. As for clothes you can buy the ones that fit in long just adust her waist with a needle and threat!!! GOOD LUCK !!!

Answer 4

I know what's it's like to worry about your child's weight. My son is the opposite. 18 months 35 in and 30 lbs. This is after a major slow down in weight gain. (10 lbs at birth 14.5 lbs at 1 month!) My friend has a 3 year old that is the same height & weighs less than my 18 month old. Both are very healthy boys, some kids just have different builds and they may change as they get older.
Believe it or not my son was a picky eater. I try to give him the same food we eat and I let him feed himself (no eat this, try some more, etc) He eats much better when he's not being hovered over.
Stop worrying! Kids will eat when their hungry and really don't need much food.

Answer 5

hey , my little girl is 2 1/2 and weighs 28 Pd's so iknow what you mean so places like Kmart and target sell clothes with little elastic bands with button holes in them and you can tighten up the waist they come in handy and work really well so look for those as for weight gain my doc told me shes fine shes normal and healthy so he said when shes hungry shell eat and her tummy is so small that you couldn't give her much food anyway because it wont fit so I'd stop worring if i was you that's what i did and than i just looked for the clothes with the elastic button band thing they do work well and there priced the same as other clothes so i know what you mean i live in Florida near a beach and were always running around in bathing suites someone called child and youth services on my husband and my self their reasoning was that they said my daughter looked like we starved her because shes so skinny you can see her ribs so i totally know what you mean once the case worker met with us and talked with our doctor and stuff it was all called off but i won't let her wear her bikini any more only one piece that way no one else will think i have mistreated my little girl it broke my heart someone thinking i wasn't taking good care of her, any way shes just going to be skinny

Answer 6

As long as your doctor says she is healthy, stop worrying so much. Toddlers have weird eating habits. Just make sure you are offering healthy meals and snacks, she will eat when she's hungry and consume enough to stay healthy (don't offer garbage foods, i.e. fast food, sugary foods, etc). Like other posters have said, don't try to hide calories or give her unhealthy choices; you don't want her to have weight or eating problems later.

My son's clothes don't fit right either. His pants fit in the waist and are several inches too long in the leg. Toddlers just don't have standard sizes.

Answer 7

well don't feel bad my 3 yr old weighs only 24 lbs!! As long as he is staying along the same growth curve, he should be fine! Some kids are just smaller. But if it bothers you, just make sure he is eating things high in protein and fat that is also nutritious! Like cheese, whole milk, avacados, peanut butter, red meats like beef, yogurts, ect... What does your doctor say about this?? I would check with them to make sure that even though he is small he is growing properly because that is the most important!!

Answer 8

wow my daughter is 22 months and weighs 21 pounds, trsut me she eats a lot really i mean i can't eat that much"touchwood" i have no complaints at all and she eats all vegetables, fruits and grains and what not but she would just not put on weight the only thing she dislikes is sweets and ice creams i know what a baby but thats how she is, i would say don't force your baby into anything, its okay if your kid doesn't eat, about the clothes i think there is something wrong with the manufacturers here they just doesn't know the siize i guess i have lot of troubles with the size myself so i make my daughter wear dresses with stockings they look pretty and no issues with fittings btw dungaress are also good try them .

Answer 9

My 2 year old weighs more than yours, but she is still very skinny. I have the same problem with the pants as well. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do. I give my daughter Pediasure from time to time and (I can't remember the brand name) but they have drinks and snack bars that are packed with nutrients that toddlers need. Perhaps you can try those? They taste good (well my daughter likes them) so they eat them well.

I agree with your doctor. She's probably going to be skinny. Most toddlers don't eat a lot. Their stomachs aren't very big (the size of their fists), so obviously a lot isn't going to fit in there.

Good luck!

Answer 10

If the doctor says she's fine, then she is fine. Why would you worry? Don't you see all the problems there are with obesity, be thankful that you don't have anoverweight child. Could imagine how difficult it is to have to put your little child on a diet when they want to eat everything, it is probably hell. It's better that she be underweight that overweight, then there is no issues with diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol, joint pain, being made fun of in school, not being able to participate in sports with other children. There are so so many issues with being overweight, be grateful that your daughter is not.

Answer 11

If the doctor's r saying she is healthy leave her alone and learn to sew. She' just a small baby and will probably be a small woman which of the girls crave to be. Stop being such a worry wart, this must be ur first child, it shows. Have another baby soon and note the difference.