HI My son just turned one. He is in the 97th percentile for heght (32 in) and 88th percentile for weight (26.2 lbs). This is the same curve he has been on since he was born. That being said, he does seem to be chunky and I am noticing that he is getting a belly. I have also read that his intake should start to decrease. Will he do this himself? I wonder if I am offering too much to him.
Here is his diet. He has always been a big eater, but is also a picky eater and we are still pretty much on purees (he hates anything chunky), other than crackers.
He gets 22 oz a milk of day ( he doesn't always drink all of it, so probably closer to 20 oz on average).
Breakfast- He eats 2 containers of 3.5oz fruit with a tablespoon of oatmeal
Lunch- is 2 containers(3.5 oz each) of vegetables with a tablespoon of rice
Dinner- same a lunch
Snacks- He has two snacks a day,which are usually few tablespoons of apple sauce and a cracker
His milk intake seems normal, but he is at 1 1/2 cups of fruits and of vegetables( he doesn't always finish so I would say this is average). From my reading, it sounds like he should be at 1/2 a cup of each. I would love some advice.
Thanks!
I think you need to add protein to his diet. Perhaps the protein which has some fat in it will satisfy his hunger. I am not a dietician however. I just know at a year my kids were eating meatballs and chicken.
Babies don't take more than they need...they don't know to do that yet. Follow his cues. He'll tell you when he's done. The doctor will also tell you if there is concern regarding his weight. Once he really gets moving, walking, running, etc., the weight will seem to fall off and you'll miss the little chunky monkey! It's part of being a baby and normal. You're doing great!
Hi,
I always make sure when I nanny or babysit, that all the kids eat properly. Sounds like he could use some chicken or something. At this age; I'm sure he probably could eat what you are having. I always offer the children even at 1 yr old, some kind of meat/chicken, a starch and veggie. Maybe if you gave him some pasta with meat sauce on it and some veggies for dinner, that would be good. Fruits are good to eat during the day for snacks as well!
Best of luck! :)
I just wanted to chime in that toddlers do not have strong stomach muscles, and that is why it is common to see bellies on them. Also have you ever noticed that your son gets chunky before a growth spurt? I feel like mine does.
I think your Dr could give you the best assurance about your son's intake. I think he is young enough to eat until he is full , but not to have the urge to overeat.(unless you are encouraging him to eat when he has lost interest).
I do wonder if he eats so much fruits and veggies because he is hungry and could use more protein/fats/complex carbs? His milk consumption sounds right to me, have you tried other sources of protein (yogurt, hummus, peanut butter?) and of fat(avocado)?I know it can be hard with a picky eater, but I am just commenting on what I got from your post.
Serving sizes, per babies/toddlers/kids, are in terms of Tablespoons.
Not jars.
Ask your Pediatrician, about his intake and how much he should be eating.
I do not think he is overeating at all. He is the same size my kids were at
that age. My grandson who is 15 months will eat two waffles for breakfast,
for lunch he eats whatever I have left from the night before. So yesterday
he had beef stew. Dinner he is home for so I am not sure but he is a good
eater. At easter dinner when he was 10 months he was eating prime rib,
mashed potatoes, and asparagus! During the day he will have some
fruit for a snack and milk with each meal. At this age they all have that baby
belly and look chunky. By the time he is two he will be looking like a little
boy and you will be wanting his baby body back because you miss it LOL.
my son started refusing and making the decline himself. some days i wonder how he survives lol. he used to be a big eater too, but now i'm lucky if i can get him to eat 2oz of yogurt or of veggies anymore.. mines also been in the 97-99% percentile (like he's almost 35 inches/ 26lbs at 15 months) so i know what ya mean. (mines still on mainly purees too)
sounds pretty good for now-- maybe some of those yobaby yogurts with the fruit in them? that way some more protein..and maybe a little more oatmeal for the iron?)
He sounds perfectly fine - his height and weight are in proportion to each other and at this age, he won't overeat because he'll only eat until he feels full and then he's all set. All their bellies stick out. My daughter is 4 and sometimes if she eats a big meal, hers will stick out. At a year she was 30 inches and 24 lb, if that gives you some perspective, so she was at around 90 to 95% for a girl at 12 months. Now she is 41 inches tall (75% for height) and 38 lb (50% for weight) so she's slowed down a tad as far as percentiles but she is still doing great. Sometimes it's not always about amounts as to what it is that you are offering and whether or not it is really nutritious. Another family member of mine has a daughter the same age and height as mine, but the little girl already weighs 53 lb! She is obviously overweight and unfortunately her diet consists of mostly processed junk food - Pop Tarts, frozen pizzas, etc. She loves fruit and veggies but all the other stuff she gets just adds empty calories!
I would be more concerned that he still only wants purees and is not interested in more "real food". My daughter didn't like any of the chunky "stage 3" jarred baby foods but went straight to small diced up pieces of food. At a year she was eating Cheerios, blueberries, raspberries, toast, macaroni noodles, and cut up pieces of banana and carrots. We were introducing some peanut butter as well as scrambled eggs (no family history of allergies). The only things that were "mushy" were hot cereals like oatmeal and Cream of Wheat, applesauce, and yogurt. She also got about 16 oz of milk a day. I would start trying to expand his palate more and offer some of these things and see how he does. Some kids can have sensory issues that make it difficult for them to accept new foods and certain textures.
I think his intake and his size are perfectly normal for him. One yr olds begin to lose weight when they start walking a lot, I'm guessing if he just turned one he isnt running around the house yet, but soon will be!
is there a reason he is not eating protein? I assume he will not eat chunks of meat but Have you tried soft scrambled eggs? shredded cheese? cottage cheese? and they sell oatmeal called 'weight control" oatmeal which has added protein. Every kids is different I would not stress about it!
It does not seem like too much to me. I had a very tiny girl (17 lbs at a year) who ate more than that. My other daughter ate less. Babies will eat until they are full, unless they have been prodded to eat until the food is gone.
I would start to offer protein foods, scrambled eggs, cut up chicken or meat, hummus, tofu, etc. He may not want them now, but he will eat them when he is ready.
Don't worry, he is doing fine.
It seems ok to me. I have two boys (almost 2 and 3.5) and by one they were eating more table food, so it is hard to tell. Do you try giving him table food? If he is hungry I would let him eat... it is hard to grow a foot in one year :) he needs to keep his energy and nutrients up. Baby's should have little bellies -- but if he is getting too big, try 2% or non fat milk (it is the same as whole milk nutrient wise, but has less fat -- both my boys drink non fat milk at home).
I wouldnt worry too much. Talk to your doctor if you are really concerned. Good luck.
One thing you may consider is getting him more excited about finger foods & table foods. Cheerios, puffs, steamed & chopped up veggies & fruits, chicken. Finger foods are important not just because of nutrition, but they introduce new flavors & textures. They also are important to engage the mouth & tongue muscles that are important for speech development. AND being able to pick things up and feed himself, as well as eventually (SOON) use a spoon to feed himself, are all really important fine motor skills that are learned primarily through eating at this age.
My 6 month old daughter ate about the same amounts that you describe before she started table food. Now at 10 months, she eats almost everything we do at the table, just cut up small. Usually, babies will really regulate their own intake & will refuse food if they're not hungry. I think that what you're feeding him sounds fine. He's still getting most of his nutrition from the milk still. If you're really concerned, switch to 2% which will cut some of the fat.
My son had a belly as well until he was about 2, and then he grew what seemed to be 6 inches, and got skinny & lean. It was all about him starting to run fast & jump & throw balls & play hard! I think as long as your son is getting LOTS of active time (my son runs around probably 6-7 hours/day at pre-school!), then he'll be lean & strong before long.
My 11 month old just ate a whole sloppy joe and some orange slices for lunch along with his milk to sip. Feed them until they stop eating - as long as they are getting nutritious food, it shouldn't be a problem.
His height and weight are proportional. If I were you I wouldn't restrict things a bit. As long as he's eating his veggies and drinking his milk. Just look out for hidden salt (sodium) as it's in so many things and the kiddos just don't need that!
As long as he's not getting too much salt or sugar (which hides in applesauce!) he's good in my book!!
Ask your pediatrician, though, but I'm almost sure that he/she would say, it's too early to worry about such things as long as you're feeding him healthy foods!
Also, be ready for food strikes around age 2 when he'll get so interested in other things, you'll be glad he has those belly stores of fat (energy)!
It sounds good to me. Yes, his appetite will decrease on its own. There is no need to worry about the quantity that he is getting. You are doing a good job!
I am not sure about the issue of the amount of feeding, but I was watching a tv program the other day and they were discussing "baby fat." The doctor had mentioned that kids tend to grow out and then up, so your son might be having a little growth spurt. Your son's height and weight are proportionate to each other, so I wouldn't worry too much.
PS- my son only wants pureed food to! Your not alone in that, and if you find something that works, please let me know!
Updated
I am not sure about the issue of the amount of feeding, but I was watching a tv program the other day and they were discussing "baby fat." The doctor had mentioned that kids tend to grow out and then up, so your son might be having a little growth spurt. Your son's height and weight are proportionate to each other, so I wouldn't worry too much.
PS- my son only wants pureed food to! Your not alone in that, and if you find something that works, please let me know!
