BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

We've struggled with DS's weight gain since he was born. He had some heart problems as a newborn but is better now. Currently he is around 5th percentile for weight. He is a decent eater but loves fruits and veggies and not the more fattening foods. He is and was never a big milk/formula drinker. He drinks tons of water and juice though.

Just curious if other moms of skinny infants and toddlers had kids who grew up to be normal weight.

Message edited 12/21/2010 3:08:48 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

I was very skinny as a baby (didn't want to eat anything) and looked anorexic until about 12 years old...once I hit puberty my body totally changed but still stayed on the thinner side...as an adult I don't struggle with weight despite my very big appetite....I stay a size 6-8 without diet or exercise....

My DD is almost 25 months old and is only 23lbs!! but almost 37 inches tall...she is also in 5th percentile....just like me, very skinny...I am not concerned since I turned out ok...

There are many studies showing thinner babies being healthier in later life (adult) so I don't worry about DD's weight...

Message edited 12/21/2010 3:19:37 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

I have a cousin who was very skinny. Long and skinny baby, never had chubby legs or arms, grew up looking like a kid from those save the children commercials. She just didn't want to eat anything. She hated food. Drank milk and maybe her mom could coerce her into eating some chocolate cake every now and then.

When puberty hit, she started to gain like crazy. She has has hormone issues her whole life, and got gastric bypass done recently.

I'm not seeing this from the mom's perspective or even the person's perspective, but I think its more about eating and exercise habits than anything else.

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

It can go either way - I've seen really skinny kids get very heavy and others that never seemed to gain weight.

So far, my kids are both sticking with skinny. One is far too skinny & has eating issues. We give him pedisure (per the pediatrician) before bedtime.

I know you didn't ask for suggestions but if you're looking to help with weight gain, cutting out water & juice to encourage more eating always helps. When they fill up on liquids - especially non caloric ones, they tend to feel full.

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

I was born at 9 lbs- extremely chunky as a baby.
I grew up to be a skinny kid and adult.
I really think it's all about genetics and metabolism.
And I don't think the size of the baby/toddler has much to do with the size they will be as an adult...

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

DS is also on the skinny side. 75th-95th for height but 10-25th for weight.

As a little kid I was very little and skinny (my brother was tall and skinny.) When I hit around 10-11, I gained but did not grow so for about 2-3 years I was....well, fat. But once I got to around 14 or so I grew upwards and, though I never got skinny again, I was mostly sort of average to average+ weight.

My brother stayed skinny. Even now though he's not a stick like he was, he's in very good shape for someone who can eat 6 eggs with cheese, bacon & sausage for breakfast. (his cholesterol is awful though!) But he's always been an athlete and me, not so much.

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

yup! still holding onto the 5%tile here (and she's a terrible eater)! she dropped off the charts once or twice too. Now, DD2 is the TOTAL opposite...70 %tile for weight and 97%tile for height! I can't believe how different two children can be in so many ways!

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?

It really depends on genetics and lifestyle.

If you're concerned, loading your baby up on good fatty food like avocado, eggs, nuts, cheese, etc. will help.

My DS was also on the skinny side as a baby because DH and I are underweight as children and adult. We were concerned DS will be the same so made sure to feed him good stuff, not junk.

DS is now 2 and is now normal weight since he discovered his love for cheese, eggs and hummus.

Re: BTDT Moms, if your DC was a skinny baby/toddler, did s/he stay skinny when they got older?