My three year old only weighs 25 lbs. Is she healthy?

Question

I am going to take her to see a specialist soon, don't worry. But I thought I would come her to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.
She has always been somewhat of a picky eater. And I know some kids are just little. It's not like her ribs are showing or anything and she has lots of energy. Her hair and teeth are healthy too. I just worry that she should weigh more.
She rarely wants to finish her dinner, even when I give her smaller portions to start with. But almost always she wants a big breakfast, so I try to make up for the other meals of the day where I know she won't eat well by really loading her up at breakfast time. I mean pancakes, eggs, bacon, the whole nine yards.
Is this normal for some kids to just be really tiny like her? Or might there be possibly something wrong with her physically? Her dad (who has joint custody with me) has harrassed me about not feeding her, but that's not the case. I want her to be as healthy as possible.

People think she's only two because she's so short and petite too!

Answer 1

I agree with all the other answers on this question. Lots of factors go into being health and what weight is right for a child. If she is over all healthy and active don't worry so much about her weight. If you or dad is small framed then it's perfectly normal. Some things you might want to ask the dr about is something that might help her get the nutrients back that she missed in the meals. Pediasure is a good product that can give her extra cals. There's also some powders that you can add to meals that will help with extra protein and cals. Just check with your dr make sure before you start anything.

Answer 2

Your daughter is more than likely just small in stature. If she seems to be proportioned well then I would not worry so much. I had a two year old in my preschool that wore a 12month (and they were a bit baggy) never mind underwear, her mom had to have some made small enough for her. She still rode in a rear facing car seat b/c she only weighed 18 lbs. The doctors watched her closely, but never found any thing wrong, she was a very active, healthy little girl.

If you are very concerned try giving her pediasure once a day as a snack. i still have to do that with my 4 yr old b/c she only weighs 37 lbs, due to a very active metabolism.

Answer 3

If she is tiny then she is tiny.. does her doctor say she is in the low end of the percentile? Why take her to a specialist some kids are tiny at that age. All 3 year olds are picky eaters she will catch up next year. My daughter never liked rice or cheese and she was in size 14s all the way through high school. She is still only 5 foot tall its just genetics.. as long as she has energy and is not sickly just let her be herself.

Answer 4

Don't stress to much about it. As long as she eats and is active and constantly developing, then she is perfectly healthy. My son will be 4 in August and still only weighs 29 pounds. SO WHAT! So he is little, he is a picky eater and it is jsut the way it is. You can't expect children to all be cut out of cookie cutters. They are not all going to be the same. I have a friend who has a one year old that weighs more than my son. AGAIN, oh well, they are all differnt. Just don't worry too much about it. Also, as long as your daughter is staying on the same curve on her growth chart for the most part, then it isn't cause for concern. My son has never been higher than the 10th percentile except for at birth when he was in the 90th. The rest of his life he has stayed at the bottom of the curve.

Answer 5

My daughter is 2 1/2 and is the same way. She is petite and thin, only around 24 lbs. But she eats well, is healthy and very active. My pediatrician is not concerned because she is developing so well, so I'm not concerned. She's just thin.

Definitely talk to your doctor or a specialist if you're concerned though...they may want to put her on a higher calorie diet. A friend of mine was just told to put her 5 year old on a higher calorie diet because his weight percentile had fallen off the chart. Good luck!

Answer 6

There might be a chance she has a high metabolism. When my daughter was born she was a big baby,almost weighed 8lb.,but then as she got older she just thinned out, she is also tall for her age. When I took her to the doctor he just asked if anyone in the family had a high metabolism, which my husband does he is tall and skinny like her, so the doctor said she was just like my husband and I had nothing to worry about. You are doing the right thing by taking her to a specialist. good luck.

Answer 7

Unless your pediatrician has expressed concern, I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter just turned three and is 27 pounds, and she's a normal height. She eats great too, just is on the thin side. As long as she has normal energy levels and is growing and thriving (which sounds like she is), she is fine. I think these days kids tend to run towards being more overweight so thinner children stand out.

Answer 8

Honestly, she is about the size of what used to be the average 3 year old. She is just more petite than some other kids her age, and I certainly wouldn't worry about her if she is eating and is energetic and if your pediatrician says she is fine! Some people are just smaller, and there is nothing wrong with that.
My kids just happen to be huge! That doesn't mean they are healthier than your child because they are taller than average. They are just taller than average. Kids come in different sizes just like grown ups do.
Don't worry!

Answer 9

If she is healthy: good hair, skin, energy levels etc. Then more than likely she is the right size for her. Which is what it sounds like.

However running a few blood tests won't hurt. Please remember though that you are the parent and you have the final say on all testing and treatment. So if the testing or treatment seems like the risks outweigh the benefits you have the right to refuse.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Kids are different...but she does seem to be on the small side. As long as she's eating right, there should be no problem. My 3 year old weighs 35 pounds and my 2 year old weighs 23