Is my daughter underweight?

Question

My in-laws have been criticizing and unsulting us, claiming we're starving our daughter and not feeding her enough. She's 16 months old and weighs 19lbs 9.5oz.

She eats 3 meals a day. For example, infant cereal and fruit for breakfast with 5oz of milk, 2 hot dogs (cut small), a vegetable and another 5oz of milk for lunch and dinner is whatever we eat, unless it's not appropriate, plus another fruit and vegetable and another 5oz of milk. She also gets 3 snacks throughout the day, usually cheerios, toddler mum-mums or something else designed for toddlers and another 5oz of milk half an hour before bed. She also gets water throughout the day and juice once a week.

My in-laws have told us that it's impossible that she eats because she's so underweight and thin. "My kids were 30lbs by her age" is what we get all the time. They tell us we need to give her more variety. We were yelled at when she was 14 months old because we refused to give her pizza and McDonald's fries.

CONT

Answer 1

My son is 14 months and weighs 24 lbs which is on the lower end.  He eats like a cow too.  Just his metabolism.  Your daugher is fine.  The pediatrician use to get on me about my son needing to gain weight which use to make me so crazy.  Then I read and researched and realized he's fine.  Your daughter is on the low end of the growth chart like my son.  You absolutely have to take into consideration your size and your husband's.  My husband is 6"2 and on the thinner side.  He's been the same weight for llike 10 plus years, just his metabolism.  Tell your in laws to stay out of your business as they should be worried about their own overweight family.

Answer 2

oh she is fine. just becuase she is small doesn't mean she is underweight she seems healthy to me. but just in case take her to the doctor

Answer 3

Sounds like a job for Carolyn Hax!-She handles these situations well:

<>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

That said, you need to let the in-laws know, under no uncertain terms, that their remarks are unwelcome and should stop now.  And what does your husband say about all this?  You both need to stop engaging them and let them know that as long as your daughter's doctor is not concerned, you're not concerned.  End of story.

Answer 4

everyones different

and good don't give her mcdonalds,

give her an evening snack too

Answer 5

If she isn;t hungry then she's fine. If her body requires more nourishment she waill eat. My 27 month old is JUST 27 pounds(36 inches tall).

Answer 6

I think she is fine. My 8 year old daughter only weighs 34 pounds. We have seen specialists, doctors, nutritionists and bone doctors and all have said this is the weight that is right for her body. Take her to your doctor, explain your concerns and have them write out a statement of health. This way you have proof that she is healthy in case your in laws hold to their threats. Don't change her diet or feel guilty in any way for giving her nutritious foods.

Answer 7

I am so sorry that you have to deal with in-laws like this. Your daughter sounds like she has a very healthy diet - she's just thin like you! My daughter (almost 12 months) is also quite thin compared to other babies her age (about 17 pounds or so), but she eats healthy food - and a lot of it! I really wouldn't worry. If there was cause for concern, your doctor would tell you. I really don't know what you should do about the in-laws other than to tell them that you plan on raising a healthy child, and you and her doctor are happy with her weight. If that doesn't work, I would honestly just try to stay away from them as much as possible. They can't possibly be a good influence on your daughter with that kind of attitude. And a pregnant mommy does not need that stress! Good luck!

Answer 8

At my local grocery store there is a nutritionist. If you have this see if they have a free consultation. I am not at all agreeing with your in-laws. My son was skinny to & people didn't mind their own business. It is very disrespectful to you to have the pretty much call you a liar...I wouldn't feed her any hotdogs do some research & see what they are made of & you will know why. I would make sure she has protein & carbs, etc. The nutritionist can help you make up a meal plan so I hope you have that. The one at my local grocery store was free but you have to pay $20 for a store gift card which we all need groceries so it ends up free. Or go to the section here of Y/a on diet or other things where people would know about nutrition & health & ask people to give you a sample diet for her age & tell them details. I am 5' tall & my son who was so skinny has had an extremely healthy life & is 6' tall & my husband is only 5'6" so my son is in great shape tall & thin. You will get answers & it will be fine.

Answer 9

No..your daughter sounds perfectly healthy.  Your in laws are probably old school and think that BIG means healthy.

Answer 10

your daughter is fine my daughter is 6 and weighs 33pounds and is not under weight tell your in laws to keep there nose out she is fine and healthy

Answer 11

Some kids just are thin.

That said, there's a notable absence of fat and carbohydrate in her diet. Kids need it, in much bigger proportions than adults. Where's her pudding? Why is she having water throughout the day rather than something with calories in - only 20 oz of milk per day isn't a large amount, especially if there's little or no dairy in her diet.

I'm not suggesting you feed her McDonalds and pizza, but how about some cheese sauce on those vegetables? Bread and butter with her lunch? Custard with her fruit?

Answer 12

How tall is she? Is she also very short?

I think this growth chart shows she is very light for her age: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/grow...

Ask your pediatrician what her height and weight were like at her last check up. Have her height and weight been tracking at the same percentile her whole life?

If they are both tracking around the same percentile, then she is probably fine. If (however) they said her height was 90th percentile and weight was 10th percentile, then she would seem underweight.

Really, call and ask a nurse to take a peek at the chart and tell you where she is tracking. It is a very easy thing to check. Then you can tell the inlaws that she is tracking consistently. If she has always been at this percentile for height and weight, then that is just the way she is supposed to be.

Has the doctor expessed concern about this?

I have a friend who is absolutely tiny---size 0, never diets, is about 4 ft 10. Her hubby is well over 6 feet. Their daughter is the tiniest 6 yr old I have ever seen. She is like a pixie, but she has always been this way---tiny, fine-boned and light like her mom. At six years old she is about 35 pounds. Her big brother is 2 years older and he takes after dad---he is tall for his age, heavy bones and dense (although not fat.) and he weighs more than 70 pounds. If you compared the two kids you would wonder about the girl---but you can't compare the two kids. Both are healthy. They are just very different body types.

Get info from the doctor and share it with the inlaws.

Answer 13

maybe you should tell you're inlaws that they are a bunch of fatties and are giving their kids cancer causing foods

Answer 14

She's fine. Healthy children come in a wide range of sizes.  She's on the lower end of the percentile chart, but if that's where she's meant to be, then it's the 'right' weight for her.

Offer her a variety of healthy foods. Let her eat as much as she wants/needs. And she will grow into the weight nature intends for her.