Toddler weight loss

[hergrace]

When would you worry about your toddler losing weight? DD (14 months) lost about 4 oz in a month between doctor visits. She seems totally healthy and active. She was 2 months preemie but is developmentally on track for a 14 month-old.

She is waking up at night more than she used to, and is going through a picky eating phase. I don't want to get into battles with her about food, but I am worried that she isn't gaining weight.

WWYD

[franklinmarxmom]

Did she just start walking/running and getting more active? That might account for it--all that exercise can sometimes thin them out. It also usually coincides with pickier eating and less patience for eating (because they want to be running around). I wouldn't worry too much about 4oz, unless she is underweight already.

Are you still nursing? BM is full of fat, so maybe nurse a little more. Or offer food more frequently in small snacks. If you think she really needs to put it back on.

[hergrace]

It is possible her energy output has really jumped. She's been walking for months, but her climbing and running have taken off in the last month or two.

She's always been light and now she has dropped from 25th percentile to 10th percentile in weight, so her doctor is concerned.

I am a little worried, but mostly I'm annoyed because I want her to hit 20lbs so I can turn her car seat round and she is a full 2lbs off. I think I have to get over myself and consider turning her brothers around before I turn her around, but the logistics of getting them all into the car if I don't have the toddlers all facing the same way are annoying. I've got a little while before the boys are too heavy to do what I am doing now, but it won't be long before I have to make changes and I was just hoping to change all three kids at the same time.

[ledzepplon]

I am a little worried, but mostly I'm annoyed because I want her to hit 20lbs so I can turn her car seat round and she is a full 2lbs off. I think I have to get over myself and consider turning her brothers around before I turn her around, but the logistics of getting them all into the car if I don't have the toddlers all facing the same way are annoying. I've got a little while before the boys are too heavy to do what I am doing now, but it won't be long before I have to make changes and I was just hoping to change all three kids at the same time.

You might consider keeping them rear-facing longer if your carseat allows for that. Check out the Family Safety Boards for more info, but I think the general consensus is that they're safer that way. Also check out this site: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

[alegna]

4oz wouldn't worry me. That could be a big poo ;)

I would make sure she's nursing tons though.

And please don't turn her yet. It is much, MUCH safer for them to be rear facing.

My dd was rf until 3.5yrs.

-Angela

[momofsamandaddi]

My son (now 2) lost several ounces between his 9 month appt, 12 month & then a few follow-ups. They did blood work for all kinds of tests. It was horrible to go through, can't believe I didn't stick up for him, and regret doing it. He was fine. He just was more active. He started walking at 9 months & was getting more & more active & not eating much besides my breastmilk. They were saying to put him on Pediasure & give him all this other stuff I didn't want to give him. In the end, he is fine. We changed doctors. He is about 26 pounds & just turned 2 & he is perfectly healthy and still very active. He is just skinny for his age. Unless you see any other symptoms at all, I'd probably assume she is just more active now & that is what the issue is. Before taking any steps, definitely get more opinions if you do decide to do something. The whole blood testing was so annoying & put my ds through a lot of unnecessary pain.

[alegna]

Oh, and fwiw- dd was the same weight from around 8 or 9 months until 22 months. And we only weighed her on our analog bathroom scale, so we would have never known if she lost ounces.

-Angela

[stacyann21]

DS hasn't lost weight but he hasn't gained any in several months. He has fallen off the charts completely (20 lbs at 18 months). I'm not worried because I know he eats a nutritious diet and he's very active. He nurses on demand day and night and eats solids like a horse LOL. I agree with the pp's about keeping your little one rear-facing for as long as possible. It's very inconvenient for me as well, since I have a small 2-door car. But it's not about my convenience it's about his safety.

[dawncayden]

At 1 year my ds was 33lbs, at 2.5 he's 28 lbs. There were many months where he stayed the same weight, but as he got more and more active and grew in height and thinned out, he gradually lost weight. He's a healthy eater, VERY active...I have no worries.