Slow weight gain

kje120 · June 2012

We just got back from Andrew's 15 month appt and he's only gained 1 lb 2 oz since his 12 month check. I really thought he was going to be 25+ lbs and was shocked that he's only 23 lbs 10 oz. His doctor wasn't concerned and said he's perfect, but now I'm worried that he isn't eating enough. He's still a picky eater and I feel like most of his food ends up on the floor.

Any tips or tricks to get a picky toddler to eat more? I know I need to give him more variety but I find myself falling back to the things I know he'll eat. Ugh - it looks like he's taking after his mommy's picky eating habits

AMB11 · June 2012

My little guy is picky too - - won't eat things of a certain texture or temperature which I was totally unprepared for as DS#1 ate (and still eats) pretty much everything. I generally feed him the same things everyday with a slight variation. (eg one day he'll have raisin bread with peanut butter and the next day he'll have a whole wheat waffle and peanut butter.) My Dr has told me that as long as you're feeding him nutrious meals/snacks it's not an issue.

I try to introduce new things every week to add to the list of foods that he eats. One thing that's worked is incorporating a new food with a food I know he likes. He loves graham crackers so I'll use them to try a new spread (like jelly or cream cheese) on them or mix a new fruit into a fruit salad and he's usually receptive as opposed to handing him a bowl full of a new food.

Don't be too hard on yourself. He's obviously not starving

mrambo3 · June 2012

When you introduce something new, do you eat it in front of him and show him that it's good? I've noticed that if I try to give DS someething new and he's unsure, I'll eat it and make the "mmmmm" noise and then he's all over it!

Don't be too hard on yourself. Two weeks ago DS was 21lbs 10oz with clothes on and a wet diaper!

lylahlove · June 2012

Don't be hard on yourself - if the dr wasn't concerned, you shouldn't be either. These toddlers are picky little beasts who like to be independent and full of opinion. Just keep making different things for dinner and offering them to him. I think he'll naturally start to like more and more.

kje120 · June 2012

AMB11:
My little guy is picky too - - won't eat things of a certain texture or temperature which I was totally unprepared for as DS#1 ate (and still eats) pretty much everything. I generally feed him the same things everyday with a slight variation. (eg one day he'll have raisin bread with peanut butter and the next day he'll have a whole wheat waffle and peanut butter.) My Dr has told me that as long as you're feeding him nutrious meals/snacks it's not an issue.

I try to introduce new things every week to add to the list of foods that he eats. One thing that's worked is incorporating a new food with a food I know he likes. He loves graham crackers so I'll use them to try a new spread (like jelly or cream cheese) on them or mix a new fruit into a fruit salad and he's usually receptive as opposed to handing him a bowl full of a new food.

Don't be too hard on yourself. He's obviously not starving

I use peanut butter on things to get him to eat them. This kid LOVES peanut butter.

kje120 · June 2012

mrambo3:
When you introduce something new, do you eat it in front of him and show him that it's good? I've noticed that if I try to give DS someething new and he's unsure, I'll eat it and make the "mmmmm" noise and then he's all over it!

Don't be too hard on yourself. Two weeks ago DS was 21lbs 10oz with clothes on and a wet diaper!

I try that and sometimes it works but more often than not he doesn't care - he still chucks it on the floor. I think he just likes to make a mess. Apparently me saying "No, we don't throw food on the floor" isn't quite sinking in.

kje120 · June 2012

lylahlove:
Don't be hard on yourself - if the dr wasn't concerned, you shouldn't be either. These toddlers are picky little beasts who like to be independent and full of opinion. Just keep making different things for dinner and offering them to him. I think he'll naturally start to like more and more.

Thanks lady

I will say that your little guy is one of the kids I'm jealous of - it seems like he eats so many different things. I wish Andrew would take some notes from him!

Brooke81 · June 2012

also depending on when your DS started walking it could have more to do with increased excercise than eating.

stefaniew26 · June 2012

dont worry about the slow weight gain. at 14 months my lo only weighs 20.2 with clothes on. my pedi says that kids typically gain only 3-5 lbs between 1 and 2

kje120 · June 2012

Brooke81:
also depending on when your DS started walking it could have more to do with increased excercise than eating.

Well, he's still not walking, but he crawls and climbs like a maniac. The not walking was another concern, but his doctor said he has til 18 months so he's not concerned yet.

kje120 · June 2012

stefaniew26:
dont worry about the slow weight gain. at 14 months my lo only weighs 20.2 with clothes on. my pedi says that kids typically gain only 3-5 lbs between 1 and 2

Ok, that makes me feel a little better. I guess I was just surprised because he feels heavier and is solid as a rock. I was really expecting him to be 25+ lbs. He's an active little bugger so I guess it makes sense that he's not gaining a ton right now.

SandiaPinaMama · June 2012

Our kiddos are just so similar. We had our 15 mo appt on Monday. LO is not walking, not saying any real words (although I recognize them, but no one else does), and has not gained much. He weighs 22 lbs 9 oz. He eats a ton.

I wouldn't worry, especially if your pedi isn't concerned. I think it's hard because we get used to them growing so fast that first year, and our brains just get programmed to make sure that they grow. It's just upsetting to see that they aren't growing as fast. You're doing your job, mama. He'll be okay.

kje120 · June 2012

watermelon mom:
Our kiddos are just so similar. We had our 15 mo appt on Monday. LO is not walking, not saying any real words (although I recognize them, but no one else does), and has not gained much. He weighs 22 lbs 9 oz. He eats a ton.
I wouldn't worry, especially if your pedi isn't concerned. I think it's hard because we get used to them growing so fast that first year, and our brains just get programmed to make sure that they grow. It's just upsetting to see that they aren't growing as fast. You're doing your job, mama. He'll be okay.

They DO seem very similar! And thanks for the encouragement

Just found out that the 9 month old at daycare is 22 lbs 5 oz and 31 inches. He is almost as big as my 15 month old. Holy crap!

lilylow · June 2012

If the doctor isn't worried it's OK.

Toddlers are finicky beasts. Elisabeth will shove something in as fast as possible one night and then the next time she has it she throws it all on the floor saying "no".

Ezra04 · June 2012

I have a picky, food throwing eater on my hands as well! What he likes, he'll eat a lot of, so I try to give him something new with an old stand by. So far, no luck. It's like he sees it's something different, he may pick it up and b/c it feels different and then it ends up back on the tray or the floor. But I shall keep trying!

As far as the food throwing, I'm at a loss. It's been a long phase in our house no matter how we've tried to address it, so we're just hanging in there with that.

So you're not alone and I agree with the others, if the doctor isn't concerned, your LO is fine!

Also wanted to mention that I enjoy reading your blog

LadyXaverian · June 2012

Everyone has said everything I was going to say-- weight loss slowing down at this age, picky toddlers etc etc..

Nora's 15 month appointment is coming up on Friday. I'll be very curious to see how she has grown.

Ecy · July 2012

My DD is 14 months & still a few oz. under 18 lbs & probably around 28.5 in!!! The girl is tiny & she actually does eat pretty good. She is thriving in every other area though & the pedi never seems concerned.

I used to get caught up in comparing her to other LO's and still do sometimes. For instance, the 6 mo. old at her DC is larger. But I really try to not think about it as much now.

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