Toddler Weight Gain Question

Updated on December 28, 2010
A.M. asks from Lake Wales, FL
14 answers

Hi Everyone! I have a question about how much weight a toddler should gain from age 2 to 3. The last time my toddler was weighed was at his 2 year old well checkup and he weighed 33 lbs. My mother in law weighed him the other day and he only weighs 31 lbs now and she became extremely concerned. He will 3 in a month and a half. He eats like a horse but is just extremely active so I have never worried about his weight. Did your children not gain any weight between 2 and 3 years old? Is my MIL being over dramatic? Any thoughts/opinions/stories are appreciated. Thanks!

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S.H.

answers from Enid on

well, i say his weight if fine, but it depends on how tall he is too. my son weighs 34lbs and i cant remember how tall he is, but she said hes about and inch taller than most kids his age. Theres nothing to worry about. tell the MIL to calm down. as long as hes eating good and is active theres nothing to worry about. start worryn when he stops eating and becomes lethargic and loosing weight.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I agree with Molly. You also need to consider the fact that the scales your mother in law used are different than the scales he was weighed on in the doctor's office.

You can look up the average height weight for your son by googling height weight charts for children or growth charts. Here is one site:

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/growthcharts2/l/bl_growthc...

I noticed on another site that the average weight gain for boys between ages 2 and 3 was 3 lbs. Your scales could be off by that much.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

You can ask at the next check up but my son did not gain more than a few pounds at that age. Kids grow very fast as babies, slow down between 12 months and 24 and then level off to a consistent slower pace after that. I was buying new clothes all the time until around 18 months, but the 2 and 3 year old clothes fit for about a year (more if bought a little big).

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P.M.

answers from Tampa on

Yes, she's being overly dramatic.

Does his skin have an overall good tone?
If you pinch his skin, does it immediately return back to normal?
Are his fingernail/toenail beds pink?
Are his eyes clear and is noticeably alert?
Does he seem active and happy?

Yes to all those... he's fine!

My daughter has been 31-33lbs the last 3 years and she is 5 y/o.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Totally normal--- My son lost a few pounds between those ages too- I think as they get more and more active, they get leaner and lose some of the baby fat- I wouldn't worry, if you are concerned-email your Dr. for some reassurance. I think MIL is freaking out for no reason- but its wonderful she cares so much!

M

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K.V.

answers from Lansing on

Don't forget that scales are different everywhere you go. He could very well still weigh 33lbs, but weigh 31lbs on a different scale.

I honestly wouldn't worry.

Even though my daughter isn't in the age bracket you are talking about, When she was one she weighed 20lbs, and she had been 20lbs for a few months. Shes now 20months old and only weighs 21lbs. The doctors aren't worried because shes eating, drinking and still be active. And they think shes just going to be small (I dont know where she got that from, because it wasn't me!)

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E.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

Dear A.,
You may have a football player in the making.
If the pediatrician thinks that everything is ok, then it probably is. If you think you need a second opeinion you might try another pediatrician.
I guess that I would ask the doctor to make sure that his thyroid is OK, and that he is eating healthy. The other issue might be diabetes, if that runs in your family.
If the toddler is healthy and happy....then you have 1 block-busting kid! Enjoy! Everyone should have your problem!

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A.S.

answers from Lansing on

My son is 41/2 and recently went to the dr cuz he was sick. They weighed him and he weighed 33 lbs! That scared me but the dr didn't say anything. So I asked the dr about his weight and he said that the curve on the chart is on track for him and so he's healthy. That doesn't mean that is the same for every kid his age though. But I wouldn't worry if I were u. Maybe u can call your dr office (we have a nurse line we can call) and just ask about it. Then u can let your MIL know what they said and hopefully ease her concerns.

Id like to add that my son has 2 older siblings and they both went through this at his age. We were concerned then too (moreso cuz we'd never been through this "phae") but they're now 13 and 8 and aren't so skinny-mini anymore. In fact, my 13 yo is taller than me and we wear the same size. Clothes! Lol

Good luck w the MIL and take care. Merry Christmas!

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B.K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,
My son is 3 1/2 and weighs 29 lbs. his height is 40". He gained 1 pound between the age of 2-3. He is on the lean side but very healthy. I'm doing everything I can for him to gain some weight but he's not a big eater and very energetic so he burns his calories fast. The small amounts that he does eat I make sure that they're healthy and nutritious foods plus I give him a multi-vitamin, fish oil and a probiotic.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

mine is about the same weight as yours and has been for about 6 months. he is in the upper 95% for his age. he isnt eating much and I am not worried cause he is not growing. he is active and burning it off faster than he is taking it in. she is being over dramatic he is fine. besides her scale may be diffrent than the one used on him. she needs to get a life and quit meddling. :)

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M.L.

answers from Tampa on

My daughter weighed in at 27 lbs at 2. She is now 2 1/2 and still 27 lbs. I think she is being over dramatic.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

I just saw an article on this .. each year from 2- 10 kids should grow 2.5 inches and gain 6 punds..

now.. my kids are tall and skinny.. they do grow at least 2 inches taller each year.. but they do not gain 6 pounds.. my daughter might gain 2 pounds in a year.. she eats like a bird.

I wouldnt worry..people come in different sizes.. Also all scales are different so the dr scale may be totally differnt than the grandma scale.

my daughter is 5 and might weigh 34 pounds.. my son is 3 and weighs 34 pounds.

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R.A.

answers from Boca Raton on

My daughter is always considered skinny, but so was I. She's healthy, hardly ever sick, cold once a year and that's it. She has lots of energy, eats and sleeps well and grows through the years.
There is a HUGE epidemic of obesity in the US now, don't concern yourself with making him bigger, bigger is NOT better. It will lead to all sorts of health problems though out his life. Love him as he is and don't worry unless he's not growing and getting sick.

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D.M.

answers from Miami on

I don't think my Daughter has gained a pound all year. She's about to be 3 and she has weighed 28 pounds since her 2 year Dr. appoinment.

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