I'm Concerned About My Toddler's Weight. Help?

She seems completely fine to me. Are you and your husband tall and thin too? Is she tracking a single growth-curve on the growth chart, or is her weight dropping from 25th to 10th to 5th percentile? As long as she's tracking a curve I wouldn't worry at *all*. Your doc will let you konw if there's anything to be concerned about. In the mean time, give her a vitamin if you're worried about the vitamins. And put a little butter on her veggies :) My son is a stringbean too (we have to pin the waist of all his pants because they fall off him). Usually by around age 3 they even out somewhat.

My tot's 2 years old and weighs only 20 pounds. My doc is not concerned b/c she is healthy, active and happy. My hubby and I are very short so she's leaning that way too. She eats frequent small meals, not large meals. We worry about her weight too, and wish she was fatter, but as long as she is deemed healthy by her doc, we're fine with it.

From what you are saying she eats healthy foods and that is what is important. I have 2 daughters and my first daughter was always below the charts for weight and height. My second daughter was always above the charts for weight and height. Our doctors told us just to make sure when they eat that it was healthy foods and they were not filling up on junk. They are now 2 well proportioned teenage girls.

my daughter was in for her 2 year appointment and was 27 lbs and that was 50th percentile, i think your daughter is totally fine...what is her height?

Don't get so caught up in the numbers. As long as her growth is a nice upward line on her chart, all is well. Both of my son's are small. My 5 1/2 year old is 38.5lbs and my 7 1/2 month old is 15lbs 2 oz. There is Pediasure drink that you can give her, also Nutrapals has a line of snacks and foods. My baby's doctor also has us adding a tablespoon of smart Balance butter to his solid foods for extra calories. My oldest son never got out of size 3 diapers, and my baby is still in size 1. It's hard to buy clothing with a small waist. Luckily JCPenney sells Levi Superslim with adjustable waist. This society is so engulfed with wieght, obesity, blah blah, Just be thankful your daughter is healthy. Good luck!

If you are really concerned, talk it over with your doctor. Your daughter sounds fine to me though. There is a drink and other nutritional supplements for kids called PediaSure. They also make granola bar type things as well. My son was always consistently 80% for weight, then when he turned 1 he was suddenly 10%. My pediatrician and I weren't concerned because we know he is just active. Plus, he is developing normally so he is fine. He is now 5 years old and is in the 50% for weight. The percentiles aren't really meant to scare you, they are just meant to watch for any large fluctuations that may signal something. But it needs to be looked at with the child's overall development. You can't force a kid to eat I have learned. My son is 5 and still eats like a bird. He is the pickiest eater I know, and I know many picky eaters. Just try to encourage her to try new things and to eat. If you force her, she will want to eat less because it is a control thing. Try letting her dip stuff in sauces. My son loves putting parmesean cheese on everything. He also likes dipping anyting in ranch. I give him it and he can do what he wants, even if it looks like it would taste terrible to me. Good luck!

Hi T.~
My daughter (now 1) was in the 100 percentile for weight at birth--she was over 9lbs!! Now, at her 1 year check up, she is down in the 25-30 percentile, only weighing about 19 pounds. My pediatrician is not too happy about that, but I look at it like this: She is eating healthy, maybe not a lot and not big portions, but she is getting all the vitamins, nutrients, etc that she needs. If you feel that she is eating right and getting what she needs, then there is really no need for concern. That is just the way her body is developing and growing!!
Good luck & just do what you feel is right.
~J.~

T., as long as she is gaining and steadily is at 30%, dont sweat it. Keep offering plenty of foods, lots of variety, proteins like cheeses, etc..and she should be fine. My daughter is 11 and she is just now 58 lbs. She was always dinky, but my husband isnt big and neither is his sis. She is healthier than the boys. Yes, there is ensure for kids, it's not packaged for kids, but yes, they make it. But, there again, if she isnt an eater she might not drink it. And, it shouldnt replace a meal. Try not to let it bother you. As long as she is steadily gaining as she grows taller, and is healthy in every other way, she should be fine.

C.
Peds RN

I was too...my daughter is now 2 years 6 months and only weighs 23 pounds. she is still in size 3 diapers. Doc says not to worry...kids will eat when they are hungry as long as you don't let them graze all day so that at meal time they won't eat a nutrious meal I had nothing to be concerned with. Now my biggest concern is HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR HER TO HIT 30 POUNDS SO I CAN SWITCH THE CARSEAT?!?!? :)lol

My son just had his 2 year appointment and weighed 26 lbs. as well, and he is a boy. For percentages they look at consistency. Was she also near 30% for height as well? If she was like 95% for height and 30% for weight there would be a concern but if the two percentages are near each other doctors don't worry. Toddlers slow down their growth and as a result slow down their feedings. It sounds like you have a perfectly healthy daughter!! I wouldn't supplement unless your doctor suggests it.