Toddler eating and weight (long, sorry)

DD was born at 8 lbs, 6 oz, 21". DH and I are both tall with big bone structures (literally, not just the phrase "big boned"). We expected to have kids in the upper percentiles.

DD was very slow to gain weight as a newborn, gaining about half of what was "average." At one point she dropped as low as the 25% for weight. She's always been 75-90% for height.

At her checkup (16 mos) this week, she was 26 lbs, 14 oz and 32". She gained 3 lbs in the past 3 months and officially crossed from the 75 to 90% for weight. The ped wasn't concerned but did say that 3 lbs in 3 months at her age is "a little fast." She said not to do anything differently but we'd need to watch to see how she gains between now and her next appt.

DD eats a lot (we never have days where she isn't interested in food) but she doesn't eat garbage. She doesn't even drink juice and she would rather have fruit than almost anything else.

While I'm at a healthy weight, I've dealt with food issues my whole life - I never had a high metabolism as a kid so if I ate poorly I gained weight. I went through a few "fat phases." The problem is that although my mom definitely taught me how to eat healthfully, she did it in a way that made me hyper-aware of my weight at all times and terrified of being too fat. I was definitely put on diets as early as 4 or 5.

I don't want DD to grow up with my issues, but here I am worrying that she's too fat as a 16 month old! I'm going to keep feeding her the healthy diet that she eats now and if she asks for more, I'll give it to her (within reason), but I hate that I'm worried about this.

How do you help young kids maintain a healthy weight/growth curve without instilling these body image issues in them?? Do you think she is too big for her age? Is there anything I can do differently that isn't restrictive or "dieting"?

Sorry this is so long. if you made it this far, thanks!

Re: Toddler eating and weight (long, sorry)

My kid is 31 pounds at 19 months and he is not fat. Kids have spurts at these ages...maybe the weeks leading up to her 16 month appointment she experienced hers...she is fine. No worries!

ETA...i think at this age if you start making a big deal out of weight and food as an infant, kids are bound to have these issues as. I think if the doctor keeps making these comments at each appointment, then you have a cause for concern, but you cannot base it on just one appointment.

Message edited 6/11/2010 11:32:49 AM.

Re: Toddler eating and weight (long, sorry)

Chels was 27 lbs at her 15 mos appt!!! She's consistently been in the 95%+ for weight and height...I'm very tall and a normal weight..DH has always had weight issues, and so has the rest of his family...and he's the one making a stink about DD...it's actually been a sore spot for us bc I refuse to allow him to give her food issues!!! Your DD is fine!!!! They do have spurts...DD slowed down by a year but was gaining A LOT the first year and quickly...as long as your ped isn't worried you shouldn't be either!!!!

Re: Toddler eating and weight (long, sorry)

fm

Re: Toddler eating and weight (long, sorry)

my DS is 7 1 /2 months and 20lbs already..he's 27" inches. Im not worried and neither is the ped.

kids go through spurts. I think as long as you are feeding her all the right stuff and keeping her active, there isnt much more you can do right now. her body is going to do what its going to do.

i think if you just keep instilling in her healthy eating and a healthy life style without any references to body issues, etc. she will learn great healthy habits. she is also going to learn by your example, so if you make comments about your weight or body openly she may pick up on that.

Re: Toddler eating and weight (long, sorry)