how small is too small at 14 months? And what do I do about it?

[mckittre]

My son is about 14.5 months old. He's not quite 20 pounds, and not much over 29 inches, and I don't think he's grown much in the last 3 months. He last went to the doctor at around 11 months, and he was 19lb 7oz, and 29.25 inches then. I tried to weigh him myself a couple weeks ago and only got 19lb 13oz. I tried to get a rough measure of his height today by standing him against the wall. He was too wiggly to get anything very accurate, but it seemed about the same as before - a little more than 29 inches. I know I was a tiny light kid, but I'm not sure how tiny. His dad was average.

Otherwise he's super healthy, happy, developing fine. Should I take him to the doctor? What could they do/tell me that would be useful? I do try and feed him as much as he'll eat, as often as I can, but even when he's super excited about a food, he won't eat much of it before he's onto something else. He mostly eats fruit and cheese, with a smattering of fish and bread depending on his mood. He's never had any bad reactions to any food, and no allergies run in the family. He nurses a fair amount as well, but only from one side anymore, so maybe it's not enough milk. I was always of the opinion that a kid with access to food couldn't just starve themselves, but maybe that's not true....

Any thoughts or tips?

[WindyCityMom]

I think he's fine I know a girl my DD1s age who wore 9 month clothes at 18mos. She's perfectly fine KUP though!

[Everrgreen]

I think it's fine. I always get comments on how big DS is, and honestly he's not that much bigger than yours (23lb, 31"). So if my DS is 'big' than yours is probably 'average'. And even if he is on the small side, it is still normal! My DS also hasn't gained any weight in MONTHS. He's been 23lb since before he turned 1. And I don't think he's gained any in height, less than an inch if anything. As long as he is meeting his milestones/developing normally I wouldn't worry.

If you are really worried about his food intake, what about leaving a snack tray down at his level so he can graze throughout the day?

[ShyDaisi]

If there are other warning signs - slow development, loss of weight (measured by the same scale), slow hair and/or nail growth, lethargy, loss of previously mastered skills for a substantial amount of time - I would be concerned and check into seeing the doctor. Although, 10-to-1, they will tell you to fatten him up by adding additional fat and calories to his diet, to include Pediasure (which was not something I was willing to do in our situation).

When Micah was 14 months old, he weighed 18 lb., 12 oz. He was developmentally on track, and there were no warning signs. I gave him open access to healthy foods, did not attempt to trick his body into digesting additional calories, and monitored his growth monthly (I bought a baby/toddler scale that we still use to weigh monthly). He is currently 3-years-old, and weighs 30 lb, 1 oz as of his birthday. He is very active (which I think plays apart in his smaller stature), meets or exceeds the development for his age both physically and cognitively, and he has steadily gained at least an ounce every month since I started keeping track at around 9 months. He has also always been fairly proportional with his height and weight; he never really went through too much of a chubby stage. He wasn't sickly looking, just slender.

Above all, follow your gut. If you are just questioning your gut because people keep commenting about or questioning how small he is, ignore it and listen to your gut. If you feel deep down that something is wrong, then take him into get checked out.

[4Marmalade]

My youngest dd is on the smaller side. At 14 months she was about 21lbs and now at 22 months she's only about 23lbs. It is normal for the weight gain to slow down once they become more active. As long as he seems healthy I would think he is fine.

[crunchy_mommy]

My 15mo DS is not a whole lot bigger... He just reached 31" (I think?? maybe only 30") and 22lbs. He's grown about 3" in the last 3-4mos but he's only gained a few ounces. He is very small compared to other kids his age (and his 9mo cousin as well as other much younger babies than him are bigger or the same size as him). He's just starting to grow into some 18mo clothes but mostly he is wearing 12mo & a few 9mo. I really wouldn't worry if your DS isn't LOSING weight or showing any other signs of malnourishment or anything. My DS is still on probably 80% breastmilk, he eats some solids but not much, although he is eager to try things he quickly loses interest. Anyway, our doctor was not concerned & I'm not either, although I was very small as a baby & DH is not a big guy either, so I think it runs in our family.

[happysmileylady]

Psh, he's fine. My dd is 18 months old and might be 22lbs with all her clothes on. If it really concerns you, you could go to the ped just for a check up. And you would probably get a more accurate measurement of his weight there anyway. But I am aware of several baby/toddlers who are in the lower percentiles. Afterall, SOMEONE has to fill those spots huh? If he's happy, healthy and developmentally on track, no need to worry.

I wouldn't worry about trying to manage food intake or anything like that. I agree that a child with access to food will not starve (again, provided there isn't anything medically wrong, which doesn't seem to be the case.) Just keep offering lots of stuff, don't make it a big deal as to what he eats or doesn't, and whatever he seems to be interested in, let him try (again provided it's safe, not a choking hazard, allergy etc)

[AllyRae]

It sounds fine to me too. DD is almost 16 months old and is 20 lbs 8 oz, and the pediatrician says that's well within the realm of normal. He asked about her typical eating habits and after hearing that she was breastfed and that she eats normal portions of a wide range of organic fruits & veggies, meats, & grains, he had absolutely no concerns about her weight at all even though she was 19 lbs at 12 months old (so she gained less thana pound in 3 months). Her motor skills are on target and she is extremely active (probably why she's so lean...this child never stops moving. : ).

[justKate]

Originally Posted by mckittre

My son is about 14.5 months old. He's not quite 20 pounds, and not much over 29 inches, and I don't think he's grown much in the last 3 months. He last went to the doctor at around 11 months, and he was 19lb 7oz, and 29.25 inches then. I tried to weigh him myself a couple weeks ago and only got 19lb 13oz. I tried to get a rough measure of his height today by standing him against the wall. He was too wiggly to get anything very accurate, but it seemed about the same as before - a little more than 29 inches. I know I was a tiny light kid, but I'm not sure how tiny. His dad was average.

I wouldn't worry. DD is 28 inches and 19.5 lbs. at 14.5 mos. She's just petite and very active. She looks thin, but has chubby cheeks and a round belly, and isn't losing weight, so we don't worry.

I think this might be the point where their body shapes start changing from fluffy baby shapes to little toddling human shapes...so although the weight stays the same they are growing up. I wouldn't worry yet if I were you!

[alfabetsoup]

Sounds ok to me! My 21 mo is also very petite and had me worried for a while! I do think it takes some kids a little longer to "get" eating. If you want to change anything, here's what I do: regular meals, whether she eats or not, no grazing-type snacks like puffs or cheerios, snacks are yogurt, cheese, toast, fruit. I don't add fats but I don't skimp on them either, we have full-fat milk and yogurt, butter, avocados, chicken thighs instead of breasts, that sort of thing. And I know others will disagree but I would offer a glass of whole milk with his meals.

After about 3 months of being pretty regimented with DD2's food she's put on some weight (not sure how much) and her bones look covered now, you could see all her ribs before. She still wears some 12-18 jeans with cloth diapers underneath though and I think she'll always be small.

[starling&diesel]

I bet Katmai is totally normal.
Esmé is 15 months now, and just 20 pounds.
All good!

[townelin]

My LO just had his year check-up and he came in at 17# 2 oz and 28 3/4 " long. No one was overly concerned about his weight. Well maybe my DH who was small throughout school and doesn't want his kid to be the small guy. Head size and development are all fine, so no worries. I was only 17+ pounds at a year and if my MIL kept up on the baby book, I suspect my DH was on the low side too. We're both average adult size now. Don't worry!

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Sounds completely fine to me, can't remember how much my ds caden weighed at that age but at 21 months he was about 22lb. Caden is now 25 mths and still wears 9-12 mth clothes, also my dd. caitlin is nearly 5 and still wears age 2-3 clothes.
some kiddies are petite as long as your ds is otherwise healthy i wouldn't worry about it.

[javilu]

I agree with everyone else - he sounds fine! My LO is probably about 30 inches, and definitely under 19 pounds at 14 months. Healthy, happy, and running all over the place! It's okay to be small as long as they're healthy - they're lighter on their feet this way!

[kdtmom2be]

Originally Posted by townelin

My LO just had his year check-up and he came in at 17# 2 oz and 28 3/4 " long. No one was overly concerned about his weight. Well maybe my DH who was small throughout school and doesn't want his kid to be the small guy. Head size and development are all fine, so no worries. I was only 17+ pounds at a year and if my MIL kept up on the baby book, I suspect my DH was on the low side too. We're both average adult size now. Don't worry!

wow really? my DS is 18lbs 13oz at 11.5 months and my doctor "had no choice but refer us to a specialist". Makes a mother feel incompetent. But even SHE said "he seems right on track with all his milestones though". *sigh* I KNOW he's fine, I was a small kid, most of the other kids in our family have been small. Even DD was long and skinny. He's still gaining weight, just slowly. The doctors need to just back off and I think the OP is just opening a can of worms if she takes her little one in, unless she realllly is concerned. I agree with go with your gut.

[tatsu15]

My 12 month old is only 17 pounds and 13 ounces. Last month during her check up the doctor said she lost some weight. At that time she was 17 pounds. At twelve months I decided to feed her more solids instead of exclusive breastmilk and looks like she's gained 13 ounces. She is active and poops alot more now.

[tmwmommy]

Sounds like he's doing fine. Their growth slows way down after 12 months. My dd is 20 months and maybe 19lbs at the most. As long as he's active and alert and meeting milestones then it sounds like he's doing great!

[kavamamakava]

His growth pattern sounds normal. My daughter was a bit heavier than he was but the same height. She only gained 2 lbs and 3 inches between her first and third birthday. She's pretty average sized for her age now.

[mckittre]

Thanks for the input and reassurances, everyone. In the time he hasn't grown much, he's learned to walk, started to communicate like crazy, and his hair's grown a ton. So I really think he seems fine - I guess I was just surprised because I assumed he was growing more as well. And other babies I know who are younger than him are definitely bigger and eat more.

I am trying to offer him food more often, and more fatty foods, though. His high chair patience is limited, so I try to give him snacks outside of it sometimes, but feeding him away from the table results in various food objects being carried around the house and dropped in random locations when he finds something else to do. Is there a way to give a toddler more snacks without always stepping on manky apple pieces and dried out bits of cheese?

[alfabetsoup]

Originally Posted by mckittre

Is there a way to give a toddler more snacks without always stepping on manky apple pieces and dried out bits of cheese?

Um, no. Welcome to parenthood. I like those snack trap cups, but they're not really good for bits of cheese or apple. Glad you're feeling better about his size, it can be really worrying to have a skinny baby!