Possible Malnutrition?

MKmommy7 · January 2014

I'm worried about a baby I know. I may be overreacting (I am feeding my children well-baland, all-organic, home-made baby food through toddlerhood) so I want to ask other people what your thoughts may be. This baby boy turned 1 yesterday, and weighs approx. 18 pounds/ he is small boned/ was not a premie (8 pounds at birth). His parents never gave him blended baby food. They claim he "does fine" with regular solids- cut into adult-size pieces. They recently told us he ate a pizza slice just "as is!" Choking hazards aside (which alone could be the biggest cause for concern, I feel)... Since he is having to swallow all his food by whole chunks, is it possible this food is too big for his body to digest / and therefore he is not getting the nutrients he needs to grow? Am I overthinking this? P.S. I realize no parent is perfect- so this discussion in no way is meant as criticism- I'm just concerned for this little guy!

taraleanne · January 2014

Are his parents doing baby led weaning? (BLW) This is a very popular concept nowadays where parents skip purees all together and go straight to real food cut into larger pieces than you might expect. He's 1, what makes you think he doesn't chew his food? My baby is 6.5 months and he has no teeth and he chews when I give him a stick of a steamed veggie, like a sweet potato.

This link has explained BLW to me quite well: www.rapleyweaning.com specifically the leaflet and the BLW guidelines on the left which discusses choking and the concept of letting the baby feed him or herself.

I think you are overthinking it.... some babies are just small. I know another baby who was only 18lbs at 1 year too.

runningyogimama · January 2014

You're overreacting. As PP said, BLW is very popular. My daughter has been eating table food since 7 months, and she chews just fine. I could ask why you're feeding purées through toddlerhood in the same manner--you're missing out on introducing new textures in a pivotal widow!

Really, though, some babies are just small, and if the pediatrician isn't worried (or the parents!), you shouldn't be.

=Lee=B · January 2014

My 9 month old loves pizza. She takes a slice whole and eats what she wants. The pizza is homemade with no dairy so not a greasy piece of pizza...point aside, there is little choking hazard. My daughter loves strips of steak, whole pieces of toast and many other foods. It has nothing to do with malnutrition. It's a way of feeding that allows the child to take control of their food intake. It's not uncommon at all and is actually a very healthy way of feeding an infant. That said the foods presented need to be healthy too!

Infants come in all sizes. You're over thinking it. Read up on Baby led weaning for more info.

minervacullen · January 2014

My daughter was just over 20lbs at her 12m well child, she's 60% for weight. We also do BLW, she's had lots of pizza. She's perfectly healthy and advanced in her development, and to be honest I'd side eye you for doing "organic homemade purees through toddlerhood".

jbatch · January 2014

I would say your being a bit ridiculous.. I see nothing wrong with any of what you said other than feeding your child purees through toddlerhood..

PhieryBFly · January 2014

Also, the child's weight will be impacted by the amount of movement he's doing. Weight for children is similar to weight for adults in that you need to consider the energy output as well as the input. My daughter is chunky (though small at 17 lbs @ 10 mo) but doesn't like to move whereas my nephew (2 days older than dd) is a string bean because that boy will not sit still!

MKmommy7 · January 2014

Thanks everyone! Feel a lot better about this. And a side note: Miscommunication - I do not SOLELY give my kids baby food through toddlerhood. Given in addition to.

I agree textures are important!

MoreThanABride · January 2014

You are being really judgemental and paranoid and you need to mind your own business. My oldest was 17 lbs at a year old and ate just fine. I am flirting with blw with my second because she doesn't like purees.

ASmallWonder · January 2014

There's so much to laugh at it in this post. You think he doesn't chew and swallows huge chunks of food whole and that his body can't digest them? Do you think he's shitting out huge pieces of food? That's what would be happening if his body wasn't digesting them lol

hdall0807 · January 2014

My baby is 10 months and only 14lbd 2oz. She will be probably just over 15 at s year and she is not malnourished

mysticl · January 2014

We do blw and at 15 months ds weighed 20 pounds. His doctor has zero concerns about his weight and development. So, did this child's doctor express concern?

When I first heard about blw it sounded weird to me, it was just so different from everything I had ever seen. We tried pureed food, he wouldn't eat it, so we moved to mashed and that was a little better. Then I tried blw and it is what worked best for us.

What I'm saying is this is more likely a case of the parents doing some research and making the best choice for their child as opposed to parents making uniformed decisions.

Want a personalized experience?

Possible Malnutrition?

Re: Possible Malnutrition?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards