My poor little girl is only 18lbs at 15 mos old. She is not putting on weight even though she is a good eater. She is in the one percentile for weight! 50% for length.
She still drinks 20 oz of milk a day, I give her cheese, yogurt, sausage, chicken, avocados, pasta with butter or olive oil, toast and waffles with butter, raisins, oatmeal, crackers, pumpkin seeds! She is a grazer - eats a lot, but not a lot at once.
We go back to the DR in one month for a follow up weight check and possible blood work.
Any advice on how to get her to put on weight?
She is otherwise healthy - no signs of thyroid condition.
She DOES have food allergies to nuts and eggs, so those foods are not allowed.
Thanks!
Sounds to me like she is normal, petite little girl. Just keep doing what you
are doing. I assume she is hitting all her milestones. Not all kids are chunky! I would not worry about it as long as she is eating a good diet.
my son is 16 months old, he was only 19 lbs at his 15 month check-up - same as your daughter, in the 50% for height. My pediatrician was not concerned. She said it's common for toddlers to lean out, as they're so busy exploring. She said it's not uncommon for them to even burn more than they take in. As long as she's healthy I wouldn't worry. She'll eat what she needs, just keep giving her the good healthy stuff with full fats!
I know it's late, but I just wanted to chime in about my little daughter.
She was tiny and only weighed 12 pounds at a year old. Not much more than that at 15 months.
HOWEVER, her blood tests and iron levels all came back perfectly healthy, not to mention the fact that she was walking at 7 months.
She ate EVERYTHING.
My daughter is now 25, barely 5 feet tall and weighs 100 soaking wet.
She is built just like my mother.
I am thin and tiny, but I am 5'8". My son is over 6 feet at 16.
My daughter was just a littly dynamo and still is. She has a baby that weighs 30 pounds and I don't know how she packs him. She is a little pixie, but she came by it naturally.
We think nothing of it.
Just make sure she has proper nutrition and she'll be fine.
This is just my opinion as someone who has petite-ness running through the family.
My daughter was and is perfectly healthy.
Best wishes.
I've been having that same concern with the same specs. At that age, their systems are still adjusting, and burning a few calories really makes a difference. They burn calories just growing! I refuse to worry. As long as he is active and I know that he is eating well, I won't worry. He is burning lots of calories. They had me all scared when I was pregnant because my baby was small. I told them that I was eating all the time but eating good stuff, with occasional junk. My 15mo eats good foods and stays busy, busy. And his nursing is strong in the evenings and overnight.
It can really make us feel insecure when someone has to totally rely on us to make sure that his needs are met. If your baby is healthy, then chances are that you are doing just fine in that department.
I was always in the zero percentile for weight and height. Amongst many foods you already mentioned, my endocrinologist had me eat lots of peanut butter (which she cant have, can she have any nut butters?) and carnation instant powder breakfast drinks in my whole milk. Also, try not giving her milk until after she eats, it can tend to fill her up so she won't eat as much food.
it sounds like she's eating foods that have enough calories. Is she on whole milk? Also, you can increase her intake of it to 24 oz a day, incorporate it into puddings and custards.
Toddlers don't gain weight as they did prior to one year, their bodies don't need to. Is her pediatrician concerned? If not, don't be concerned, and if so after her weight check and possible blood work next month ask for a referral to a nutritionist who can you go over her diet to include whatever will help her gain weight.
Sounds like you're doing everything right. My friend's daughter had the same issues - she switched to whole-milk yogurt and made mac-and-cheese for her w/ heavy cream instead of milk.
I'm going through this right now too! It can be frustrating and I also run out of ideas. My 2 year old is only 20 lbs and in the zero percentile! She looks totally normal though, just not too fluffy so I don't know what it is.
So the Dr. wants us to bulk up and he sent us to a nutritionist where we got some good ideas.
Anyway, here are some things we try, not counting nuts and eggs:
greek yogurt
cream cheese mixed into tomato sauce (tomato cream sauce) with any pasta
bagels and cream cheese
Cereal with whole milk for snack almost daily
graham crackers with whole milk
Butter and syrup on french toast/pancakes/waffles
sour cream (with quesadillas or whatever)
beans (burritos or side)
basically lots of snacks
olives
potatoes with ketchup (tater tots and hashbrowns)
fruits with whipped cream
Maybe try orange juice smoothies with yogurt or ice cream base and fruits...
My kids hate pediasure (it is kinda gross) but people have recommended Carnation instant breakfast.
The nutritionist advised us to use a lot additions- like crackers with spread, sugar or cream on strawberries, butter or cheese sauce on veggies,etc.
Also, one of the big things was my daughter constantly was sipping on apple juice/water mix. We cut that, the nutritionist said she should only have her beverages with meals so she doesn't fill up on them. I still give her water whenever but juice only sparingly with a meal.
I tend to think my daughter is just a small fry because there don't seem to be any other issues, but we are making an effort to fatten her up.
OK, since she has food allergies, here are a few other possibilities.
She may have a problem with gluten.
She may have a problem with dairy.
She may need probiotics.
Consider a possible gluten intolerance. What we eat today is not your grandmother's wheat and it's actually difficult for any body to digest. In actuality, most wheat containing packaged products are anti-nutritious. Another great way to get big calories in, put some coconut oil in her oatmeal.
Is she allergic to all nuts? Presoaked, dehydrated raw nuts are such an awesome calorie dense snack ranging from 600-800 calories per cup. Presoaking is really important!
Wow. The only thing I could add is avocado which is high in good fats. Good luck. I am sure you are doing a good job and maybe the doc will have some theories and advice.
Try pediasure. My friend had the same problem with her son and they told her give her son pediasure.
