Moms of underweight kiddos

So DD is underweight, and has been since her 9 month visit. She is now 20 months, and still not on the chart of weight. However, she is still gaining weight and seems to be following her projection but is still not on the chart. At her check up today I got the feeling like the doctor thinks she is drinking too much during the day, but that is not the feeling I have gotten from any of the other doctors (I saw this one for the first time today). The past visits the doctors said that she is probably just small especially because she is such a good eater. She suggested adding more fat to her diet, like more olive oil and butter. I am already giving her a pediasure a day. Anyone else in the same boat??? Do you feel like it's your fault?

Re: Moms of underweight kiddos

My dd is small but she was a preemie. However she weighs the same weight my friends dd did at this age, & she was full term. What we do to try to make her gain weight is just add butter to all her veggies, her toast, waffles, etc. My ped has me adding a tablespoon of heavy cream to her yogurt too. Also lots of full fat cheese. I melt cheese on everything for her. I also feed her all day. Three meals & at least two snacks. She is a big eater too, they just burn it off so fast. They never sit still! This is NOT your fault. Dont let the new dr stress you out. Try the butter instead of the oil. Switch a few things & she will gain a little faster I bet. Oh & I wouldnt do the pedisure. Just make her a milkshake. Spoon of heavy cream, whole milk, & some fruit she likes. She can sip it during the day. Why do they think she is drinking too much?

Re: Moms of underweight kiddos

To be honest, I don't think she is drinking too much. Maybe she thinks it because I couldn't give her a definitive amount that she drinks, but that's because she never finishes a cup, so I end up tossing it because it is warm or old and then give her something new but she doesn't carry a cup with her all day.

I will try those shakes, and I already use butter on a lot of her food, but I will try the heavy cream with the yogurt. The pediasure actually works well cause she drinks it right before bed and I can just pour it in.

You would think my DD would be overweight with how much she eats. It's insane that she just doesn't gain that much.

Re: Moms of underweight kiddos

My dd has never been on the charts (only in her first couple of months) At the suggestion of her ped, I did add some things to her diet to see if it would make her gain some weight. I normally cook healthy but I started giving her ranch dressing, I used a little butter when cooking her food, if I made her scrambled eggs I would thro a piece of cheese in there.

In the end, she is just a small kid. I don't really do the butter anymore. I try to have her eat healthy, but she does have her fair share of "junky" snacks.

I didn't want to continue to try to "fatten her up" and bring on unhealthy habits. I struggle with my wieght and I don't want her to be like that. So my ped and I agree that she is perfectly fine.

As far as too much drinking - what is she drinking that he feels is too much? At 3 I switched DD to 2% milk and I still water down her juice.

Re: Moms of underweight kiddos

my dds percentages have always been 75/95. (weight/height) now shes 25/95 and the dr wanted me to change all her cups of milk to pediasure. i can only give her one a day. I tried to replace her cups with it and than she wouldnt drink anything.
she likes to eat but in small amounts. she needs 4 meals a day plus snacks and juice.
on babycenter they have a board failure to thrive. it helped me with some ways and things i can help feed my dd. (even though dd isnt in this catagroy)

How to Help Your Older Baby or Toddler Gain Weight Nutritiously

Re: Moms of underweight kiddos

My boys are in the 5th percentile for weight. My family is just tall and skinny. My dr isn't worried. They are picky eaters, but eat/ drink a lot. They are 16mo and 12mo pants are still way too big for them. I don't think there is anything I could do differently. Some kids are just skinny kids.

Re: Moms of underweight kiddos

DD1 is 3 1/2 and hasn't been on the chart for weight since she was like 5 or 6 months. She's healthy, just small and thin. Her Dr isn't worried, I'm not worried.

DD1 eats well, always has. She gets a good mix of carbs, proteins and good fats. Believe me, the girl can pack away the food at times. I swear she has a hollow leg. But, she is also HIGHLY energetic. She doesn't stop moving all day long. I don't like when it's suggested to use shakes to "fatten them up" unless there is a genuine need for them to be fattened up. My Dr told us that there isn't a worry unless they start dropping off their own curve. So long as they are continuing to gain and are eating well then they're OK. And everything I've read seems to back that up.

Just like there are kids who are in the 99% and above, there have to be kids in the lower % and below too.