Gaining Weight for 2 Year Old

My mom is the same way! My son is now almost 7-but from the age of 2 to 4 he gained a whole 2 lbs. He typically eats everything we put in front of him, and LOVES his fruits and veggies! I know he's getting a good diet but he doesn't gain a whole lot of weight. I was soooo worried about this for a few years, but thinking back--I and his dad weighed less than 100 lbs going into high school and less than 120 post puberty. I'm not so worried about his weight, and you probably shouldn't be either. The doctors look at if he is growing in any way (height and weight) and as long as he continues to grow he will be fine. Just provide him healthy foods, try to limit the junk food, explain to the grandparents what you're doing and you're goals (not that this helps) and have confidence you are doing what is best.
PS My 7 year old is 47 inches tall and only weights 50 lbs. He didn't get about 35 until after he was 4 years old. Don't stress!

STICK TO YOUR GUNS!!!

Your son is fine. My daughter is about 35.5 inches tall, 2.5 years old and weighs about 27lbs. She too is very active and we limit her sugar intake. She eats VERY well. She is not a picky eater.

I would say, if your doctor isn't concerned and your son is getting good balanced nutrition then tell the rest of them to back off! Refined sugar is not healthy. On occasion, as a treat, is fine. It teaches them to have a good relationship with food. That is my primary goal. To teach my daughter to eat when she is hungry and eat foods that will sustain her, rather then eating when she is bored or whatever.

Probably one thing you are battling against is the fact that childhood obesity is on the rise. More kids then ever are overweight... so everywhere you look you see these chunky kids!!! When you have a NORMAL, healthy child... they look scrawny... when in fact, they are HEALTHY!

I would have a serious talk with your husband and let him know it is NOT ok that your in laws give your son all this junk food. Why teach him habits he will only have to unlearn later when he is older.

There is tons of information out there on childhood obesity and diabetes and such. Do your research. Talk to your pediatrician... let him know what you are battling against and he/she can probably give you some good information. Then, go to your husband with the information and in a calm manner have a discussion.

Of COURSE you control what your son eats!! He's only a toddler! If we didn't control what they eat then they WOULD eat just junk all the time. They don't come out of the womb knowing how to make good choices. We have to teach them how to make those good choices.... and part of that is teaching them how to make good food choices. That's what parenting is all about. It is not about giving into your child's every whim.

Good luck. You have your sons best interest at heart and I know you want him to be healthy. You are right to limit the junk food intake. You are right to want your son to make healthy food choices. You're being a good mom.

My daughter is 29 months old and 28 lbs and is 36 inches so I wouldn't worry that he is too skinny.

My daughter eats pretty well but she has her fair share of sweets so I do not think you aren't giving him enough or too much of them.

However, I do think you may want to think about how you are approaching sweets with your son. If you are constantly telling him no or fighting with your husband over how much he should have, then it may impact his view of sweets and want them more, to the point where he'll indulge when given the chance!

As far as your in-laws, they are supposed to spoil the kids so I would not worry that much about them giving them sugar and even soda. We occasionally let our daughter have a sip or two of our sodas but my inlaws think it's perfectly okay to always give her soda. They don't see her that often so I don't even think twice about it.

Don't worry about his baby teeth - they fill fall out.

You aren't overthinking things - just being cautious...but then again, if you let it take over your life, then you are overthinking it!

Well, if you figure it out, let me know!! My son will be turning 4 in June. He weighs 29 pounds!!! LOL Granted, he's tall for his age, but he is a skinny little buddy. Our dr. isn't concerned either because he's thriving in every way. He eats great! But, just burns it off too quickly, I guess. LOL I really wouldn't worry about the junk so much. Grandparents will do that. I know my parents do the very same thing. I don't worry about it. He's happy, healthy, and will still eat his "real" food first. LOL

Enough sugar? There is more sugar in the things we buy that we think are healthy, and we don't realize it! I don't think you should ban all sugar, it's not very realistic. But using it as a tool to gain weight is just silly! If your son is eating a balanced diet, and your Dr. isn't concerned then I'd say you're doing a good job! I try watching sugar too for my son, and his weight has not increased much over the last 8-9 months. But my Dr. too says he is fine. There is plenty of sugar in juice, yogurt, cereal fruit snacks etc. Some "goodies" every now and then is fine too, but I would never try to give him more on purpose! It's empty calories, bad for their teeth, and you are doing the right thing by trying to set the example now for healthy eating. You're doing a good job!

Hey, I agree with you that he shouldn't load up and sweets and yes, I also think you are over thinking it a bit. Serve lots of healthy choices and we have a one bite rule but an occasional extra serving of noodles will do no harm. With my first, I was overly cautious with fat...just something to consider if you may be too. We are low fat eaters and so she ate lowfat by default. Her doctor encouraged her to have fatty "healthier" foods like avocado, full fat cheese and milk. So they were high in fat and calories but had some nutritional punch, too...unlike Pepsi and M and M's. Finally, even after all of this, she stayed tall and thin and is now. She looks just like my husband's childhood pictures...a string bean. So don't worry about it too much, serve healthy foods and an occasional treat, give full fat dairy and let it go!

My son just turned 5 and is 32 lbs and VERY healthy...although in the 5% on the charts. Being skinny has nothing to do with eating or not eating sugar. As long as he has a good appetite and it hitting milestones then I would not be concerned about size.

As far as grandparents are concerned. They are grandparents and they spoil their grandbabies with everything possible, junk food and toys. If it bothers you speak up, if not let them have thier fun.

This was really helpful as I beat myself up over the same thing.

no, I don't think your overreacting. I would be furious if I found out someone gae my son m&m's and especially Pepsi. Pepsi sucks out calcium from bones & teeth is a great way to make cavities. My mom gave me Pepsi when I was as young as your son & I had cavities in almost all my teeth by the time I was 5. I would definately put my foot down. And as for sugar, I think you're right again, it's important that we create good eating habits for our kids starting out young. If you're worried about nutrition chose a good multivitamin. My son is 2 & 1/2 & weighs 24 lbs is is very healthy. So as long as he seems like he's happy & full of energy, I think you're on the right track.

My son turned 5 and wasn't 40 lbs. He was healthy, ate and very active. Just how some kids are. He is now in 8th grade and still skinny and very active. As long as they eat healthy and are active, I don't think you have to worry! We figured eventually he will have his turn to gain weight, we worried at first, but now just let him be. He definitely can eat a lot, must just have a high metabolism. Good Luck to you!

My 3 year old doesn't even weigh 30lbs. She's just a little thing. Always has been, always will be. Don't worry about it. I think that he's probably just fine with the weight that he is. You are doing a good job of instilling good eating habits at a young age. There's nothing wrong with that at all!

There's nothing wrong with a treat, just as long as it's not all day every day. Sounds like he doesn't get a lot of junk, so I wouldn't worry about it. I WOULD worry about them sneaking him Pepsi and going against your wishes in general. Kids should NOT have pop! I would be LIVID if anyone ever gave my kids pop! I know my 3 year old wouldn't drink it, she HATES the carbonation, but still! Not cool of you ILs AT ALL! We let our daughter eat more than the normal amount of junk on special days, like holidays or birthday parties (I learned that trying to make her eat healthy on days like that was fighting a losing battle), but in general she doesn't get a lot of junk food. Her ped has told me that even though she's below average on weight, she's just right for HER. Every kid is different. I think your son is probably right on track with his weight. Don't worry yourself over nothing!

I'm real big about diabetes because I lost my dad from it but I don't starve my kids from all sweet stuff! Both of my kids are very very thin also my son is 6 and is only 40-45lbs my daughter is 3 and only 30lbs and our doctor isn't concerned either I get frustrated because they are both picky eaters but I'm not a big person so my doctor just looks at me and says they take after you. My daughter doesn't eat hardly anything right now so I started giving them vitamins to help with that and make sure you do limit sweets make him eat something healthy then a treat. Good luck!