Is My Daughter Too Small for Her Age?

My daughter is the same age and still wears 2T clothes. She is perfectly healthy, just on the petite side like myself.

if you are petite and she eats like you think she should,dont worry about it.My son was wearing 2T last summer(same size as his 1 1/2 year old sister) and he was almost 4 years old. Since then he shot up like crazy and is now in size 5 top and 3T bottoms!(i am really petite but since hubby is overweight the dr.s just assumed my kids should be too)

You put it out there to the world, so I just have to say, healthy or not, children need well-baby and well-child exams by a pediatrician. They may notice something that you don't. I'd get into that practice...

-M

Although your child may not get sick, it is still important to get in for wellness exams. Not only should children be evaluated for health matters but also for development issues. The first few years are the most crucial. Often times we can assume one thing, but if a potential problem is overlooked, the sooner it is taken care of the better.

I think you need to take her to the pediatrician. It could be that she's petite, but you need to get her a general check up.

My daughter has always been petite. She is 7 1/2 and is not even 50 pounds. There is such a huge spectrum of sizes with kids. One of the posts about the organs moving at around age 3 is really interesting, never knew it- but makes tons of sense. You should consider having your daughter visit her doctor at least once a year just to make sure her health, motor skills, and mental development are all o.k. Although your kids appear healthy, the pediatricians ask a number of screening questions at the well child visits just to see if your child is on par with growing.

i dont agree with not taking your daughter for her regular drs visits but im not going to preach to you about it its your choice how i see it though is that if you took her to her dr then you would be able to monitor her growth. my daughter is 2 and is 25lbs she was 23-24lbs at 15 months. she wears 24m/2t clothes only because 18 month pants are waaayy to short for her. i have a friend whos 20 month old is only 19lbs and wears 12-18m clothes. only difference is she has major food allergies. if your really worried shes not growing right take her for a well check.

my son is 3 and still fits in 2t pants and they are on the large side. i am a petite person and our doc says that since he has always been on the small side of things that he is fine and probably just has my body type. if you are concerned take her to a doc.

Since she is 34 months you can schedule her for a 3 year check up soon. Even though she doesn't get sick, a well check exam is a good idea.

My daughter is very small too. She is 19 months old and wears 6-12 month clothes. She usually hangs around the 5% in weight, but the doctors are not concerned since she has always been petite!

Kids all grow at a different rate. With that said, 34 months is a bit too young to not go see a doctor at least once a year. If you kids are always healthy, doctors visits should be short and pleasant, and could be helpful with questions such as yours. They could also be good for preventive health care, instead of dianostic ones. Hope you find a good pediatritian, someone who is knowledgeable but not judgemental. Good luck.

Hi,
Nope she sounds fine. My first daughter is VERY short for her age (6 years) and wears a size 6 shirt (the longsleeves are too long) and a size 5 pant. So, she has a long torso and shorter legs and arms. She is growing but has always been a lot shorter than the other kids. My 3 year old is tall. She is now wearing a size 4. So, I really wouldn't worry about it. I think comparing your child to others isn't good. It will drive you nutty. My older daughter is smart and has matured with her body just differently. So, I would just watch your daughter and if she acts fine then why worry.

Every child will grow at a different rate. My daughter is currently 27 months and weighs 22 lbs. She still wears 12 -18 mos. clothes. She is no longer on ANY chart! However she is continuing to hit her milestones and her ped(s) are not concerned, yet. We take her for regular check ups to stay on top of her development per the Dr.'s request it is every 3 months. Maybe a Dr. visit will calm your concerns?

I know what your feeling. My son is almost 3 1/2 and he can wear 18mo pants but I have to get 2t adjustable pants so the length fits. Initially I was very worried I even wasted money and saw a nutritionist. They called it "failure to thrive." I had just switched to a new pediatrician at the time and imagine hearing your child being called "failure to thrive." I did everything to get him to get bigger. Eventually, I ended up going back to the pediatrician I absolutely love and she reassured me that every child is different. Knowing what I know now, I would not have stressed over it as much as I did. Go with your gut ... if she is a happy, healthy child and she is getting the nutrients she needs I would not worry to much. I have a second child too and it appears as she is getting older she is slowly falling off the "charts" but after having my son I realize its just in their genes.

You really should have your daughters checked out by SOMEONE - if you are not into western medicine, try an alternative therapist, naturopath, etc. Regular medical checkups can point out lots of things that you might miss. really. If you don't want to vaccinate, you can find doctors that support this viewpoint and will help you with the needed waivers (required for school). If you don't have insurance, you must check into S-CHIP or other state programs to insure kids. Your daughter is very small. I really don't want to freak you out by telling you stories, but there are lots of reasons why she might be lagging in her growth that could be remedied by early intervention. She might be fine, but don't you think you owe it to her to find out if there is a problem? I know you want to do what is best for her, so please ask a professional to check her (and little sister's) health.

There is no real or exact weight or height to be. Every child's body is different and will develop at it's own pace. My neice is almosr 3 and is still wearing 18-24 mo clothes. She weighs around 25 lbs. My family is very petite and I, too, was always small. We are all very healthy, however. As long as she is healthy and active, it is totally fine. People put such pressure on others to be a certain size. I hate it when people say to me (with that certain tone in their voice) "Ooooh! You are just too skinny!" Why is it not okay for people to say oh, you are too fat, but someone can call you too skinny?! I wish people would stop worrying about size ans weight so much. Just like each persons personality is different, si is their body. Just make sure your daughter feels comfortable and confident about herself and as long as she is healthy just keep on being positive!

My daughter just turned 3 and she hasn't been to the doctor since about 14 mos, when she was still in daycare and she was getting sick a lot. She's been healthy as a horse since I've been staying home with her and I needed to catch her up on 1 shot so I took her Wed. for her 3 yr checkup. I would definitely recommend taking her in and just talk with your pedi not just about her size but everything, it was nice actually having a well child visit :) Plus I had to take my newborn in anyways that day so I just made both appts! Anyways, I don't think she's too small at all. My daughter weighs just under 30lbs, but she's been between 25-28 since she was 2 yrs. The doctor said that is the 50th percentile. She is also 37in tall, which is the 25th percentile. The pedi asked some other milestone questions, asked if she can count to 3 (she can count to 20 LOL but I guess 3 because she's 3?), had her draw some shapes, talked about her eating habits (which are great! She eats more veggies than me, LOL) etc. etc. and said she is doing great. She has long legs so she fits into a 3t-4t pant, but some of her shirts are still 2t. Especially since you're petite, I would not worry as long as she is healthy.

I have a 3 year old who has weighed in at 27 - 29 pounds for the last 6 months. She is active and growing and the pediatrician doesn't feel there is anything to worry about. I also have two older children who are tall and slender who have never gained weight quickly.
Is she eating? Is she active? Is she experiencing normal body functions? Sometimes active kids just don't gain weight as fast. I am grateful that my kids aren't over weight like some of their friends.
Hope this helps.

If you can remember weight and height in the past, you can track her progress herself.

try the charts listed in this webpage:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/growth/gro...

right now she's falling in the 10-20% range (and six months ago she was only in the 25-35% range - that's not a huge change).. but this compares the entire population in general. different ethnicities have different growth charts. this site has some of the ethnicites broken out:
http://www.halls.md/chart/child-growth/pediatric.htm

from what I've been told, the main concern is if she was always in one percentile of growth and then has a drastic drop, or increase to another percentile... like if she was always in the 75% range, and is now in the 15% range or vice versa - then you might want to go and see a doctor.

it wouldn't hurt to go see a pediatrician if you are concerned.
Best of luck

Right around 3 years old the organs start to move inside the ribcage where they belong (hence the little toddle belly/waddle starts to go away). As the children grow taller at this stage there's actually ROOM for those organs.

A result of which is that we all suddenly get a LOT of use out of the clothes they were in... because they will typically stay in the same "size" for around 6 months longer then usual. If you're potty training and have gotten rid of the diaper, it makes the whole transformation even more dramatic.

My son was in a 4T at 2 years...and continued to wear it until he was 3 1/2. He gained maybe a pound or two during that period....but BOY did his body change. At 3.5 though, he started eating double what I eat, would even wake up in the middle of the night to eat...chubbed out like crazy...and then shot up 5 inches in 6 months. And that's our families growth pattern...it doesn't follow the charts. Babies (ahem toddlers/children) in our family tend to chub up for about 3 months and then shoot up for 3 months, chub up, shoot up.

Our ped only has us come in for immunizations and illness (and parental paranoia...frequently well founded, but not always). So there have been times where we haven't seen the ped for over a year. If you're curious or concerned...make an appt and go in. And EITHER is a valid reason.

According to doctor's chart she would be on the small side, but not out of the normal range. I have 2 girls that are below average too. We have had so many doctor visits to specialist and after much debate they have come to the conclusion that are normal just small. I have a 4.5 year old that weighs 26lbs and wears a 3T and my 9 month old is 14lbs and wears a 6 month size. They are small and healthy!

My daughter is also small for her age, and has been since about 10 or 11 months. She was 19 lbs at 1 year, then gained to 21 by 18 mo, and gained up to 25 by this Christmas (28 mo). She is still 25lbs at 32 mo. Both my husband and I are short, and I have always been on the thinner side of average. She wears size 2T tops and dresses, and 18 mo pants. Some of her shorts are even 12mo and fit fine. I take her in for her well visits, and the doctor was only mildly concerned when she was so thin and also not eating at the time. Now there isn't any concern at all.

My daughter hasn't hit the charts in years! She is 6 and only weighs 36 lbs. And her doctor isn't concerned because she has always followed the growth curve and developed in other areas on target. I do believe you should take your daughter to the doctor just to make sure that she is developing right....a sudden drop off the charts is reason for concern...there can be other things going on that on the outside she looks "healthy" Good Luck to you.

I.,

One of my sons has always been below the 5th percentile for height and weight. He's just petite like I am. My pediatrian said they go more by head circumfrance to determine if there is a problem. And they track growth rate of your child as opposed to comparing him or her to other children. I'd definitely ask your pediatrician. Chances are they will reassure you that she's the perfect size for her.

T.

The best thing to do is take your baby to the doctor if you are concerned. These checks are called WELL baby check ups so we parents don't need to worry needlessly. Also my son is small....his parents are small so I don't worry, but I let the doctor know.

My neice just turned 3 on March 5th. She weighs 24 pounds and is 35 inches tall. She's been off the charts petite since she was 18 months old. She still wears 2T clothing. She's healthy and has gone to all normally scheduled Pediatrician visits.

Just have her checked out by the doc to make sure there's nothing else out of the ordinary going on with your little one.

Dear I.,
Regular visits are so that the doctor can make sure the children are developing properly and also make sure they get the proper immunizations. Each child is different and if you are petit, she may be too. I she growing...getting taller? That she is not gaining any weight may be that she is growing, but lossing "baby fat" which is what they use to call it. As a child starts being more active, they often grow but don't gain lots of weight and thin out from a chubby baby. I think you should go to the pediatrician who is trained in this area with your concerns. Always best to be safe than regret it later.
H.

Hi I.,
You actually do need to take the size of mom and dad into consideration when determining what would be "normal" for your daughter. My son has always been on the very low end of the charts, but the ped said it was more expected, given that his dad and I are both on the small side.
It's still might be a good idea to take your daughter in for annual checkups where they check a lot of things and keep track of all this. Even if you don't do the annuals, they can still measure your daughter and keep track of that whenever it is. My ped used to measure weight, height, head size at every visit, and document and chart it. The main value of this is to look for abnormal changes in size or proportion.
Your daughter is probably just petite though.
Take care.

I wouldn't worry abt her being small for her age. As long as she is growing, eating & everything normally. She will start really growing one day & you will never know that she was alittle small in size when she was small. Are you & yor husband small framed? I have a granddaughter that was premature weighting 3lbs 13 1/2 oz now at 10 yrs she is just as big as the average size kids in her class. It's better to be a little small than over weight.

I have a 37m old that is 28lbs. And she just chunked up on my as well. and my 1 yr old is like 17lbs. They are tiny. My 3yo was 22lbs at 2 years, only gaining 4lbs from 1 to 2. but then she just shot up 6lbs this year. woohoo. They are just small. I am petite and my husband is small. but even my sisters with a tall father our all under 5ft and like 100lbs. As long as there is no sig drop the drs usually don't freak out. I mean some babies have to be in the 3rd percentile.

Not like most of the ladies responding my daughter was over the charts. She is 3yrs old and fits into size 7-8 cloths cause she is so tall. You look at her and would not think she is 3. The doctor told me it was cause my husband and I are both tall, I am 5' 10" and have always been a big girl. You said you were petit so she is probably taking after you. As long as she has always been healthy and happy I think it is okay. What is normal growth anyway?

I. D

My middle daughter was below the standard growth chart, my ped told me not to worry. However, you should have her get her shots and get her into the doctors for her regular checkups. This will keep her from getting sick in the future. Unless you have some religious reasons for not taking her to the doctors, she will have to have her shots up to date for when she begins kindergarten, this can be a hassle when you have not gotten any shots as she is growing from an infant stage. Children have individual growth spirts and this is something I have found when my children were growing up. Children are also affected by their parents genetics, this is also what the doctor will go by. Those growth charts are just used as a way of gauging from a general standard, these numbers or not mandatory for all children. Good Luck.

Hi I.,

My daughter is 2 years old and she can still fit into her 18 months old clothing. We've never taken her into a regular doctor as we go to a naturopath. We've chosen an alternative route. I used to worry about her size, but seeing that she's healthy, strong, smart, and growing developmentally and thriving, I don't worry about it anymore. Besides, like you, I'm petite (5 ft, 110 lbs, 38 years old) and so it just makes sense that my baby is petite also. Don't worry too much. I'm sure your daughter is doing great!

It really has to do with her height and weight ratio, I wouldn't be so concerned about her weight but if she isnt growing tall. my son at 32 pounds and 40 inches is at 25 percentile in weight and 75percent in weight. His Body mass index is about 11% he is healthy just needs to gain some more weight as he is very thin.

I would take her for her check up at 3 years old and have them do all measurments and if she falls under the normal range she should be good to go.

I would take her to the doctor. The point of well check-ups is to make sure they are developing on track. Not only by size and weight but also by milestones and stages of development. Early intervention is the best!

I don't go to the doctor's office too much either, but I like to follow their height and weight on the growth charts. Here is a link for the girls' height/weight chart.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2clin...

It looks like your daughter is slightly above the 10th percentile for weight. As long as she is healthy and eating and growing in height, I would not worry. My son is 32 months and is about 29 pounds, still in a 2T - he has not gained any weight for over 6 months, but he is still slowly growing in height, and he is otherwise healthy, so I don't worry. It also happens that we have been to the doctor a few times over the last several months because of some illnesses that I was not familiar with, and the doctor has not been concerned about his growth. The growth charts just give a sample of the population, and you can see how the weight curves dramatically flatten out after the first year, so I would say it is probably fairly typical that our little ones have not gained weight in a while. My sister said her daughter did not gain any weight at all from 1-3 years (she was super chunky as a baby), she just lengthened and then was very average for height/weight throughout childhood.

Hope this helps!