My DD weighs 30 lbs at 15 months old...

lilbit923 · February 2011

I am concerned about this. I never noticed how big she really was when I was pregnant with Isla, but after being stuck in the hospital after my delivery...DH brought the kids up to see me (Isla was in the NICU). DH walks in with Emma and then it dawned on me how big she's gotten. I don't mean she's grown taller, though I'm sure she has, but she's larger to me.

Now trying to get back into the daily routine here at home, I haven't noticed Emma's overeating at all. She might snack here and there and when she does have a meal she hardly finishes it. She has started walking and makes her laps round the house each day and she's constantly on the move at daycare. I'm concerned for her though. I've asked my pedi about switching her to 2% milk and take her off of whole milk and was told no. This heavy weight gain of about 5 lbs in the last month or so has piled on after we put her on whole milk.

Yes, I know it's good for her brain development but there has to be another way for her to get the nutrients her body needs without compromising her health in other ways. I don't want her being obese. I've noticed DH and her brothers teasing her about her size and while Emma may not comprehend what they are saying, I damn sure can.

Do any of you ladies have LO's that are larger and have been able to help them get off some of the fat? Were you able to utilize different things in her diet?

Emma is wearing 18-24 months clothes now and sometimes those are way too snug. I'm worried for her when she starts school, if we allow this to continue, that the bullying will ensue and she'll turn to food as a soothing mechanism.

DeansGirl0329 · February 2011

What's your pediatrician say? I can't remember how much my boys weighed at that age...but is she following her growth chart? DS#2 is 2 years 5 months and weighs 32 lbs.

Ladydianna · February 2011

The same thing was happening to my niece. My Sil took her off whole milk and put her on second stage formula. I think she was only allowed 24 or 30 ozs a day I don't remember the exact amount, but her Ped told her. She also snacked a lot and now they only let her have two small snacks one in between breakfast and lunch the other in between lunch and dinner.

She never lost weight, but as she got taller she didn't really gain any and it really seemed to balance her out.

Has her Ped expressed any concerns to you about her weight? Is she very far off on her charts. I know my niece was 25% height and 70% weight so that's why they started to be concerned.

Growing up my brother was heavy and was constantly teased, it was heartbreaking. I can't even begin to tell you the issues he still has with food at 30.

augustjam16 · February 2011

I would also be curious as to what your pediatrician says. My first instinct is to be concerned when your doctor is concerned but that isn't always the best way to think. To me that seems quite heavy for that age. DS weighs 33 lbs now and he'll be 3 in a month. Was she breast fed? Breast fed babies tend to be a bit chunkier right? Also I'm not necessary thinking the total weight of 30 lbs but more of the 5 lb gain in the last month. This seems like something important to talk to your pediatrician about.

cranberry27 · February 2011

My ped routinely switches kids off of whole and onto 2% around 15 months. DS didn't because he was only in the 25th for weight and the 75th for height, but that was unusual for her to continue recommending whole. She is very up-to-date with her research, and says that the most current data shows that there's no benefit to loading kids up with fat, especially in milk since the only difference between the types is the fat content, not the nutrients.

I don't think I would go so far as to panic about elementary school, but I do think that 30 pounds at 15 months is pretty high, especially if she isn't super tall! That said, they're all special little snowflakes, etc, and at this age it could also be that this is her balance for now. I would also work on her activity level if you can!

newmommy082307 · February 2011

Our DD was 3 in August and now weighs 31 lbs but she is very petite.

Aprilynn0206 · February 2011

DD was always big in the 90's for weight and off the chart for height.

How tall is your DD? Our pedi never showed any concern and neither did we since she is still growing so much.

::edit:: So I pulled out the baby book just to see where my DD was at, since she is a big baby. I guess I never wrote down her 15mo stats but here is her 12m and 18m:

12m 31 1/2 in above 97th% and 23lbs 4oz in 80th%

18m 35 in above 98th% and 28lbs 12oz in the 95th%

Now in the 18th month DD his a huge growth spurt and has been in size 24m/2t ever since.

What is your DD's total ounces of milk daily? Are you sure she isn't taking in extra snacks/milk at daycare? I would monitor it over the next few months and then bring it up again at your next appt.

lilbit923 · February 2011

DeansGirl0329:
What's your pediatrician say? I can't remember how much my boys weighed at that age...but is she following her growth chart? DS#2 is 2 years 5 months and weighs 32 lbs.

I asked my Pedi what we can do to prevent childhood obesity and she wouldn't budge from the whole milk. Then she said that I'm not doing the right thing by taking her off of it because she needs it for brain development. Ok, I get that. But come on. She's in the 95% in her weight! I wasn't like this at that age and neither was DH.

Her daily routine is waking up and getting a bottle of milk. She has some cheerios (like 10 or so) and is off to daycare. She has a morning snack, then lunch (gerbers graduate type and she won't finish it) with a bottle, nap for 2 hours, afternoon snack and then she's picked up from school. When she gets home, she gets another bottle, takes a nap. When she wakes up it's time for dinner and she'll have about 1/4 cup of what we're having and she likes yoplait for dessert. Then we wait for her to fall asleep.

For the yogurt I put them in the freezer since it helps her gums to have something cold...she's teething again.

m0132 · February 2011

My DD was always very tiny until we started her on whole milk. She just had her 18 month check up and went from the 5th percentile in weight at 12 months to 50th percentile at 18 months. He said just to make sure I am not over compensating for how little she was before (which I am not). DD is a great eater but certainly doesn't over eat and only has 1 snack per day actually, but she would drink milk all.day.long if I let her. I started cutting back on the milk a little bit and we will see what happens I guess. DD weighed 24 lbs at her 18 month appt. If your doctor isn't worried then I would try not to be, especially if your LO is walking now because she is going to be burning off everything she is eating anyway! I just make sure I give DD the foods I want her to eat and not what she wants, that way I know she is getting the right foods and things she needs.

luvdv8 · February 2011

Talk to your pedi, but honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. DD is 18 months and 27lbs. She's an AMAZING eater and to be quite honest I don't want to give her a complex about food at such a young age. She eats good foods and has water outside of meals (as opposed to milk or juice). As she starts to run around more I know that she will thin out. My sister was 30lbs at the age of one. From one until almost her fourth birthday she didn't gain any weight, but continued to grow taller. She has always been a perfect weight and you'd never know she used to be a little chunker (also, the cutest baby EVER!!!)

Honestly, if your DD is eating well and moving around then she's going to be fine. Maybe limit the amount of milk she's taking in (no more than 24oz) and offer her water. But the reality is she's still VERY young- and it's way too early to be worried about long-term health ramifications when she's still going through so many rapid growth spurts. You may find you turn around next week and she's shot up an inch or so and that her body was just storing the nutrients needed to do so. Also, if she's just started walking then her body needs to adjust they way it eats and stores food as more calories are being burned in a day.

(((HUGS)))- unless your dr is concerned don't let people get you down about your big baby. I love DD's rolls and kiss them every day- I know they won't be there forever and I love my little round baby!

SeasideBride06 · February 2011

DD has always been on the smaller percentages for weight. When we switched from formula to whole milk is when we saw the greatest increase in weight & percentage increase. At 18 months, our pedi told us we could make the switch from whole milk to skim milk. DD is still small...only 30% for weight, and at 2 years was only 24 lbs. He also said to not exceed 20-24 oz of milk a day because they will substitute milk for food. We do about that much milk each day...sometimes one cup of juice (none on most days) and water.

augustjam16 · February 2011

SeasideBride06:
DD has always been on the smaller percentages for weight. When we switched from formula to whole milk is when we saw the greatest increase in weight & percentage increase. At 18 months, our pedi told us we could make the switch from whole milk to skim milk. DD is still small...only 30% for weight, and at 2 years was only 24 lbs. He also said to not exceed 20-24 oz of milk a day because they will substitute milk for food. We do about that much milk each day...sometimes one cup of juice (none on most days) and water.

Not to go off topic but I'm really surprised your pedi recommended skim. There is no fat in skim. We went from whole to 2% but I was under the impression that young toddlers really shouldn't have skim milk. They need the fat.

I think luv made some great points. The only thing is you said she isn't that great of an eater. If she was eating all her meals then I wouldn't be as concerned but from the sounds of it, she really isn't eating all that well. I would also reiterate with daycare that its important you know exactly what she eats. Maybe she is getting more there then you know.

PinkGrapefuit · February 2011

I'd be more concerned about the rapid 5lbs than anything. My 26.5 month old weighs 28lbs clothes, he's skinny but eats all the dang time.

If she is gaining on her own growth curve, I wouldn't worry about it. If she had a spike that you can correlate to the whole milk I'd guess she is probably getting too much milk (in ounces, not times per day).

cranberry27 · February 2011

lilbit923:
I asked my Pedi what we can do to prevent childhood obesity and she wouldn't budge from the whole milk. Then she said that I'm not doing the right thing by taking her off of it because she needs it for brain development.

Unless every piece of information I've ever been told or have read is wrong, that's not true. The nutrients in milk do not change with fat content. Now, if she is saying that the fat content is needed for brain development, I believe there's a school of thought for that. But I think that's the idea they're getting away from now, and they don't think babies need as much fat as they previously suggested. I would do a little research and see what you find.

katekirschner · February 2011

if your pediatrician isn't concerned, neither should you. toddlers come in all sizes, she may become more active, esp with spring and summer coming along and thin out a little. as long as she isn't eating crap i wouldn't worry too much (i know easier said than done). the whole milk is good for her though, so i would keep it up till she's closer to 2yrs old. offer water in between though so she isn't chugging tons and tons of ounces of milk. but a 15 month old doesn't need to be on a diet.

FutureMrsCaesar · February 2011

It sounds to me like you need to cut out those bottles of milk. That's way too much milk. At that age my Dr only wanted DS having 3-4 oz out of a sippy AFTER each meal. And only water with and between meals. I'm assuming she's getting closer to 8oz in each bottle. Regardless of what she drinks it out of, that's too much milk. Cutting back to 2% is okay as long as she is eating a lot of other sources of dairy, like the yogurt you mentioned (but don't buy the fat free or low-fat versions), cottage cheese, cheese, etc.

Also, DS didn't start to thin out until more like 18-24 months, closer to the 24 months, even though he started walking at 12 months. Not all babies thin out as soon as they start walking.

AmberNGIII · February 2011

My DD is weighing in at 31lbs at 18 months. She is a very active child and eats wonderfully. I am not concerned at this point. If her pediatrician shows concern then I will. At this point though, she is a happy, healthy toddler and that's what is important.

DansLuckyGirl · February 2011

I don't really have any advice about what to do to help her not gain weight, but sharing my son's statistics might make you feel a little better. DS weighed about 30 pounds at 15 months and was 35 pounds at 18 months. The doctor kept assuring us that he was fine and would "work off" the weight as he got more active. DS is now 2, has grown 3 inches and lost a pound since his 18 month checkup. He stayed on whole milk until 2 and ate normally. It is possible that your daughter just needs a little time to grow taller and be more active.

GreenBride624 · February 2011

lilbit923:

I've noticed DH and her brothers teasing her about her size and while Emma may not comprehend what they are saying, I damn sure can.

Everyone already gave you great advice but I just want to say that what your DH & IL's are saying is NOT COOL! You need to tell them to knock it off!

augustjam16 · February 2011

DansLuckyGirl:
I don't really have any advice about what to do to help her not gain weight, but sharing my son's statistics might make you feel a little better. DS weighed about 30 pounds at 15 months and was 35 pounds at 18 months. The doctor kept assuring us that he was fine and would "work off" the weight as he got more active. DS is now 2, has grown 3 inches and lost a pound since his 18 month checkup. He stayed on whole milk until 2 and ate normally. It is possible that your daughter just needs a little time to grow taller and be more active.

This is the response you needed. I say worry when your doctor does but in the meantime I would have DH cool it with the comments. Good luck!

JaqiDec04 · February 2011

GreenBride624:
lilbit923:

I've noticed DH and her brothers teasing her about her size and while Emma may not comprehend what they are saying, I damn sure can.
Everyone already gave you great advice but I just want to say that what your DH & IL's are saying is NOT COOL! You need to tell them to knock it off!

This. I was shocked no one was concerned about them teasing her for her weight.

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