Low weight issues

ZAngel · October 2011

We took DD to the doctor yesterday for her 2 year appointment. The doctor said that she actually lost weight over the past 6 months. Katelyn's currently at 22lbs, 3oz. She's in the bottom 20% for height but the doctor says if she continues at the current weight rate, she'll fall off the bottom of the chart. I'm supposed to "fatten her up" over the next 3 months and they are going to do another weight check. The problem is... she eats all the time! I just don't know what else to give her. We are going to try adding some pediasure to her diet, but I'm concerned that won't be enough. Anyone else have a LO with low weight issues? If so, what things have you done to add some pounds?

lilycat · October 2011

I'm not sure what the appropriate level of concern is; I would trust my doc. I'll share our story in case it helps:

My older son is in the 5th to 10th percentile in weight at his best. He has dipped off the chart before. We've had a similar speech.

I wasn't super concerned. My brothers were all slender growing up; pants never fit their waists. I knew this was genetic, and I knew my son ate a variety of foods - good foods - vegetables, meat, dairy. So, I just let things fall where they may. If we needed to be concerned, the doc would do some tests, I figured.

Our doctor's approach has been that as long as he's gaining and staying in a trajectory on the chart, even if it is at the low end, she is less concerned. However, the times when he's dipped, she's had some concern and wanted to see improvement.

At those times, I just kept feeding him like usual and it worked out. He is 32 pounds and almost 5 years old. He is thin, but healthy.

Did the doctor recommend actively trying to introduce more caloric foods? Or, does she just want to monitor things? We never had to supplement. We feed him full-fat yogurt every morning, though.

CareBear01 · October 2011

It's got to be hard to "fatten them up" when you are also trying to not give them junk. Have you been giving full fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, etc.)? That might be an easy way to increase calories and be somewhat healthy. Does she like cheese? Maybe adding cheese to meals might help - either as a topping, or maybe a string cheese as a side. Did the doctor give any dietary change suggestions? Sorry - I am sure she will even out in the end, but it's probably just frustrating right now. If you know that you are providing well balanced meals, you just have to chalk it up to her genetically lean.

ZAngel · October 2011

I give her foods from all food groups and even the occasional junk foods. I had to cut back on some of the dairy (cheese, whole milk, etc) because she has issues with constipation.

A normal day goes something like this:

Breakfast: 8-10oz of milk with whole grain pancakes or waffles. I don't give her syrup but I do add some peanut butter. Sometimes she will get cereal or scrambled eggs with cheese.

Mid morning snack if she's hungry before nap: Watermelon, cantaloupe, or some type of fruit

Lunch: hot dog w/cheese, peanut butter and jelly, chicken nuggets or pita pizza

Dinner: Whatever we are eating... usually a good mixture of meat & veggies

After dinner snack (sometimes): goldfish or animal crackers

Before Bed: Oatmeal cereal mixed with fruit

She eats often and usually a good bit. I suppose I could add something else to her mid morning snack. I'm really hoping the pediasure will do the trick though. She does come from a very small family (I'm 5'3" and DH is 5'9"). I just don't want to put her through a bunch of tests looking for a problem that I'm not so sure exists (if she doesn't gain the weight). On the plus side, she looks very healthy and is a very active, happy girl.

alisa1228 · October 2011

Maddy has always been on the small side, but her Dr. is not concerned. She finally got on the charts at her 4yo well check, at 29 pounds. At 2yo, she was probably about the same as your DD.

Is your Dr. Concerned bc she lost weight, or bc she is on the lower end of the scale?

When we first switched to our current Dr. (we left our previous one bc she was pushing tests I wasn't comfortable with bc of maddy's low weight) she had us a keep a food diary for a week. After she reviewed that, she said it seemed everything looked good, and she was just on the skinny side.

We do still give her full fat dairy products vs 2%, but that is the only suggestion our pedi made.

kreeper611 · October 2011

I'm not much help, but I get what you're saying with the dairy. C would eat cheese and bananas daily if I'd let him, but I have to cut back because of constipation. I think the peanut butter is a great idea because it is high in good fats. Maybe more full-fat yogurt? Good luck!

ZAngel · October 2011

I think the shocking part was that DD has been in the 40-50% range for weight since birth. The curve was completely average until her 2 year appointment. Then her 50% weight average went down to something around 4%. So, for some reason she all of a sudden isn't gaining weight. I think that is why the doctor is concerned. Although, I don't think she's grown much in height either because she can still wear her 18 month clothes.

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