Not sure what to do

[ceeveg]

At the most recent checkup with her doctor, my DD pediatrician indicated that he was concerned with her weight. She is at 120% for height and 100% for weight. She is just past 19 months, and has always been a heavier child. At birth, she was 10 lbs 7 oz.

Our pediatrician said he wanted to cut back her main portions to the size of her fist, and then feed her veggies and fruits beyond that. He cut back on her milk intake as well. She was getting about 6-8oz at mealtimes, and now only receives 4oz. All dairy that she receives is low-fat or skim.

He advised to cut back on grains as well, and focus mainly on proteins, veggies and fruit. We are mostly bean-centric when it comes to protein, but do include dairy. No soy or meat analogues. Very rarely do I fix DD any meals with eggs.

For what it's worth, here is how she eats now for the most part:

Breakfast: 1/4 cup cooked whole grain oats, 2T unsweetened applesauce; 4 oz skim milk
Snack: Small Banana
Lunch: Toddler serving of plain yogurt; portion of fruit
Snack: Another serving of fruit or hummus/veggies/pita or something similar
Dinner: Generally a small serving of beans/veggies/grain; 4-6oz milk
Water throughout the day

I feel like DD is very active, and there are many times when she won't finish meals. We don't force any foods, don't generally offer seconds other than additional veggies or fruit, and routinely ask if she's done eating. She does prefer to fill up on things like the bread/pasta that we serve with a meal first, ignoring her vegetables and beans.

Everything we offer is whole wheat, we don't give her anything with refined sugar if we can help it, no fried foods, no juice -- what can we do?

I have found that she does get snacks like cereal bars, cereal, and other sweet treats at daycare, but not on a daily basis.

[wytchywoman]

Honestly it doesn't sound like she is overeating at all to me and she really isn't eating that much grain either. I would be concerned that by cutting out grains and emphasizing protein that her diet would become unbalanced. Besides you can do things like quinoa that have a lot of protein to them anyway. I'm not sure how much help I can be other than to suggest maybe you get a second opinion and/or speak to a nutritionist.

[MountainMamaGC]

It doesnt sound like you are overfeeding her. She is a big girl and thats the way she is supposed to be. She is not only heavier but tall too. Honestly I think that doctor is looking to much at the chart and not at the child. She sounds like she is thriving and I would not change a thing. Thats the thing about advice, you dont have to take it, even if it comes from a doctor.

My DD eats about that much each day, maybe even more and she is hugging the 3rd percentile for weight and height. Thats just the was she is meant to be as well. Its the opposite situation but I bet that doctor would say I need to fatten my DD up. If they are happy, energetic and meeting milestones, I tend not to worry about this stuff.

[smallmama]

It sounds like she is height/weight proportionate, and is continuing on the trend she has always been on. I think her food intake sounds totally fine, and I urge you not to worry about it at all.

[treemom2]

How large is your child at 19 months? Have you asked other moms here how heavy their children were at that age to see if your ped is just blowing things out of proportion? I mean my children were always in the 99th percentile in weight until they became more active. At 4 months my DD was 27lbs. . .my DH used to tease me that I didn't make milk I made cream. My DS was also very large. It seems to me that most peds look at some random chart to decide normality. . .I really would talk to other parents. Then, I'd make sure your DD has plenty of active playtime (which it sounds like you already do).

You know, I just read a study that was talking about how more and more toddlers and babies are overweight and I just shook my head in disgust. Sure, there are a lot of parents who feed their children crap and should be educated in proper nutrition. . .but it sounds like you're doing okay. . .feeding the right kinds of foods. Granted, I've never fed my children low fat or fat free anything--they drink whole milk (well DD, DS doesn't like milk).

I guess I should mention that even though my children were quite large as babies/toddlers, they are both quite thin now (DD has trouble finding pants that fit her height--she's very tall, and still fit her waist without falling down).

[SoulCakes]

As long as her weight isn't out of proportion to her height, I wouldn't worry about it at all. It sounds like she has a great diet, too! Just keep on with what you're doing and only worry if her weight suddenly jumps while her height stays about the same.

[ceeveg]

Thanks, Mamas. I feel a lot better. I will continue to feed her healthy, whole foods, and let her determine fullness and encourage activity.

She is larger than all the children in her class at daycare. She's the second oldest, and towers over all of the other children. Her teachers say, however, that she's also ahead developmentally, communicating better, etc..

I'm glad to hear that there is nothing to worry about right now.

I should also probably mention this -- I never struggled with weight, and was often probably underweight at times, but my sister was constantly placed on diets by my mother. My mother was often critical of my sister's weight.

I think I am fearful of creating issues for my daughter about her weight. I want to teach her to love her body, to think more in terms of good health and moderation, and to know that I love her and think she is beautiful no matter what.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by ceeveg

I should also probably mention this -- I never struggled with weight, and was often probably underweight at times, but my sister was constantly placed on diets by my mother. My mother was often critical of my sister's weight.

I think I am fearful of creating issues for my daughter about her weight. I want to teach her to love her body, to think more in terms of good health and moderation, and to know that I love her and think she is beautiful no matter what.

I think this is important.

I agree with everyone else, as long as she is eating healthy foods, I would not worry.

[devon]

Originally Posted by ceeveg

She is at 120% for height and 100% for weight. She is just past 19 months, and has always been a heavier child. At birth, she was 10 lbs 7 oz.

I want to point out that you actually CAN'T be 120%ile, or even 100%ile. The %ile means that you are taller then xxx % of people - so you can't be 100% because that would mean you are the tallest person in the world, and you definitely can't be 120%ile. So I'd question the dr. saying that she is those percentiles.

I think your daughter's diet sounds wonderful. I wouldn't worry about it. The main thing is that she is following 'her' curve, rather than jumping up a lot. If she was always at 20%ile and then jumped to the 99%ile for weight, then I might be worried. Always big, eating healthy? I wouldn't worry. My oldest DS is above the 95%ile in height and weight and he is 5. The dr is not concerned at the least because he is healthy and active.

I might actually consider switching dr's. I'd be concerned with the dr offering advice like skim milk, etc. They need the fat for their brains to grow, at least until 2 I've always heard they really need Whole Milk for this reason.

[caiesmommy]

She's only 19 months old! I would REALLY consider switching drs. Your daughter is on an amazing whole foods diet. There is no reason she should be put on a diet. She sounds perfect!

[runes]

Sometimes doctors forget that they are looking at human beings, not statistics to be plotted on a growth chart. She's happy, healthy, and active on her current diet at her current height and weight. There is no real "problem", besides a perceived "problem" that your DD doesn't fit onto your doctor's handy dandy chart.

And second the mama who mentioned that little ones need fat for growth. It is critical for brain development, too. Placing a child of that age with no other signs and symptoms of issues on a restricted diet is not necessary.

[eepster]

I'm guessing you and her daddy are both pretty tall people. Considering her hight is so far ahead of her weight, why worry? Unless the hight in and of itself seems odd (say if everyone in the family is really short.)

[ceeveg]

Thank you again for such wonderful support. DH comes from a very tall family. I am only 5'3, but he is 6'4, and there are several women in his family that are well over 6'.

She is so vibrant, happy and active, and I want to encourage her to be completely happy with herself. I know she is only 19mos, but I have all these fears of giving her a complex related to foods because of choices now.

I'm so glad to have support from all of you!

[To-Fu]

You're doing the right thing. She sounds just fine to me. Trust your gut and keep feeding her those healthy, whole foods.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by ceeveg

Thank you again for such wonderful support. DH comes from a very tall family. I am only 5'3, but he is 6'4, and there are several women in his family that are well over 6'.

Try to take you DH with you to the next appointment.

My DS is on the opposite end of the spectrum. He is 25% for hight and 0% for weight. I happen to be a pretty average woman, and Drs look at me and don't believe DS' size is just genetic. When I bring my 5'4" 110# DH with us though, they look at him and nod happily along when I say I feel DS is healthy and it's just genes. He has to be there in the flesh though, my simply saying "my DH is 5'4" and 110#" never convinces them.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by devon

I want to point out that you actually CAN'T be 120%ile, or even 100%ile. The %ile means that you are taller then xxx % of people - so you can't be 100% because that would mean you are the tallest person in the world, and you definitely can't be 120%ile. So I'd question the dr. saying that she is those percentiles.

Though I understand what your saying here from a purely mathematical/statistical point of view, Drs to a certain degree translate those numbers into ones that the layperson understands. If the Dr said that patient B was 3 standard deviations above the norm, most people wouldn't get it.

Also though I'm sure the OP's DD isn't the tallest person ever, it is very likely that she is significantly taller than all the children who were used to create the chart. The chart is not made from a simple representative sampling of the population, it is made up solely of "healthy" children. This means that children who are outliers will often get excluded (I suspect often simply b/c they are outliers it is assumed something must be wrong with them.)

[PikkuMyy]

I think her diet looks great too, except that I will agree with the doctor on lowering the milk content. 6-8 oz of milk is a lot at each meal for a tummy that big. Much better to fill up on fruits/veggies/beans and then drink water.

[ceeveg]

That's a good point. I don't drink milk, as I don't like the taste or smell, but I've heard it is very filling!

[dbsam]

I agree with pp's.

Our ped wanted to put my children, especially my son, on a 'diet' when they were ~18-24mos. Although they started as tiny below the charts preemies they ended up over the 100% for height, weight, and head size. Although they ate a lot, they were eating well - no junk. My son was not very mobile when young but was very muscular...his PT said the ped was crazy and my son did not need to be on a diet. (He actually had little six-pack abs!) I felt like the ped was over concerned because I am overweight. He didn't take my children's body type or diet into consideration - just their numbers. I ignored his advice and my children, now 5.5, are fine.

[ChasingPeace]

I personally would go tell the doctor to go $%&# himself. My ds has always been tall and heavy for his age. The peds I have seen have told me not to worry about it, make sure he has access to healthy foods and not to have a lot of junk around, and encourage him to be active. Works for me. I was a heavy child who was put on diets by well-meaning doctors before I was in kindergarten. What it did for me was 1) make me a binge eater, 2) make me an obese yo-yo dieter, 3) helped me develop an eating disorder, 4) gave me low self-esteem. I am so against children dieting. NOTHING good will come from it.