Toddler weight issue?

Question

My son is 19 months old and weighs 26 lbs. I am not sure of how many inches tall he is but I think normal. People are always saying oh look at that little chubby boy, and oh he's so cute and chubby, blah blah blah and I think he looks great, I dont think he is chubby. How do I tell people that I dont like them calling him chubbya ll the time, what if it continues into when he can understand what they are saying? I dont think that its healthy for a young child to get the idea that he is chubby. PLus I dont think that he actually is chubby.

Answer 1

26 pounds at 19 months sounds like a healthy normal child. But do not take offense to it. Most people mean no harm and probably do not mean what they are saying. A lot of people use chubby as a descriptive term towards toddlers.
I would just kindly let them know that he is getting older now and starting to understand things and you would prefer that they didnt use that term anymore. And then gently remind them if they keep doing it
To me it is not something to make a big deal out of.
For some reason when my oldest was a baby we started calling her chunky monkey...she really wasnt that chubby either it was just a cute nickname that stuck. She is seven now and every once in awhile it still slips out

Answer 2

For your son's age, 26 pounds is right around the 50th percentile. Unless he is very short for his age it does not seem as though anyone would consider him chubby. Perhaps he has a very round face? How many people really have said that he is chubby? If it has only been a couple don't let it bother you. Sometimes we moms can get a little defensive when it comes to comments made about our children. People generally stop saying anything about how "cute and chubby" little ones are by the time they are 2. If these are strangers making these comments, just excuse yourself and move on with a smile. If it is people you know, ask them not to use the word chubby around your son. He should have had an 18 month check-up. Did his doctor show any concern for his height and weight? He is still pretty young to understand the meanings of all that is said in his hearing and will most likely only realize by the tone of their voice that these people are saying pleasant things to him or about him even if you find the use of chubby to be irritating.

Answer 3

People relate "baby chub" as being healthy and cute. I'm sure they are not meaning to be insulting to you or your child.

His weight seems to be average for his age. If your pediatrician isn't concerned, you shouldn't be either. My oldest son weighed 14 pounds at 6 weeks and continue to get chubbier. However, as he got older and more active, he lost weight. He is now 17, 5'9", 145lbs.

I think maybe you should lighten up a little. People squeezing his cheeks, and talking about how cute and chubby he is will not have any damaging effects on his psychy. You aren't going to be able to stop it from happening, unless you are willing to get defensive and rude to every stranger that comes into contact with him. If you do that on a constant basis, that is what will make your son feel bad. Just don't make a big deal out of it and it won't be a big deal!!

Answer 4

First off, there are sooo many rude people in this world it's not funny. It's so hard to just shrug it off. I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum from you. My son was always tiny. I was a super skinny kid as was his dad and most of our family. My son is 29 months old and is 26 lbs. He's 36inchs(3 feet) tall. He's quite average, sometimes taller than most his age, but he's skinny. He eats like a horse but is soo active.
People say, "Oh my God, he's so tiny. He's so skinny. He must be a picky eater.."
and on and on...and he's not, he eats plenty, he just never was 'chubby'. I always wished he would gain a little so that people wouldn't say such hurtful things.
One friend of ours keeps saying things to my son, like "Oh your mom's sulky boy. you're such a sulk" And he's not. He's pretty tough and extremely independant.
It was weird and uncomfortable when I asked him not to say it anymore and I think he was a bit pissed off, but I didn't want him to put the idea of being a wussy boy into my sons head. It's not right. just as it is not right for anyone to call your son chubby. Especially not to his face.
Next time someone says something, say "well that's not a very nice thing to say." It's gonna be awkward, but you need to say something now or you'll be forever bothered by these comments.
He sounds like a healthy 'normal' weight. I think my son was around 19lbs at that age, your son is definitely not overweight or chubby. Keep your chin up. Some people are so rude.

Answer 5

Babies are what people call chubby most of the time. It's the baby fat that they built up during there first year on formula and not mobile. Its normal for a child to be that size. Your very luck and blessed. My two girls have trouble gaining weight.

My daughters

3 will be 4 in March weighs 29.2 pounds with lots of clothes on
2 1/2 daughter was 26 pounds

I wish mine had more meat to them. Count it as a blessing.


But I do understand the negative talk and name calling around any child could cause problems.

BE HONEST WITH THEM

I'm sorry but I don't think its appropriate to call my child CHUBBY. He can understand you and that's not appropriate. You may disagree but I don't think he is chubby. He is healthy. Please keep it to your self.

Some thing like that. Or DON'T SAY THAT IN FRONT OF MY CHILD. I DISAGREE AND I FIND IT OFFENSIVE.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

I totally understand you, i have a 2 year old and she is rather short for her age, she weights 27 pounds and i think she is actually under weight, however due to the fact that she is short her Pediatrician states "ALL BABIES ARE DIFFERENT" it all varies on there height and bone structures...trust me your baby is perfectly fine. I at times wonder why Adults act like that at times, they seem to find baby's chubby all the time, my daughter is not chubby (she still fits into size 18 months being a 2 year old) and a lot of adults comment that she is chubby, but she is not at all!

Answer 7

My daughter is the opposite, she is 19 months and weighs only 17.5 pounds...so everyone says, "she''s HOW old? wow she is small" or "what a petite little girl". Being small gives people complexes too. I think that they are too young to really grasp what these "people" are saying, so dont worry about it too much. I have a feeling they will even out by the time they really could be affected by these words.


Say something polite, but gets the point across like "we perfer to say he's HEALTHY" that way they will know what they said could be taken the wrong way and probably wont do it again.

Answer 8

Please do not dismay - maybe there is a cultural item here:

In the past in 1st world countries, and even today in Third World countries, a "chubby" child indicated that the parents were wealthy enough (regardless of income) to have a child who is well nourished - therefore this is a COMPLIMENT to the parents. It is thought of as such and never would you tell a parent that the kid looked skinny, even if it was!! That is an insult.

Do not worry about your child's size. As someone said, your dr would tell you if you were giving the kid too much to eat. I expect the little one will be just fine. Be blessed. <><

Answer 9

Don't worry, my daughter was very chubby as a baby, and was somewhat chubby until she was 9 years old. She's slim now at almost 11. Babies are supposed to be chubby.

Answer 10

say "oh look at the chubby adult" and see how they like that. no really i think your son is pretty normal really my son is 25 lbs and 18 months old and he is very skinny i think. I would just blow it off plus even if he get to where he understands boys are less likely to care than girls i think. good luck