16 Month Old Not Growing Much

If her blood work is fine, then don't fret about it. She's just tiny. My mother swears I was only 19 lbs in kindergarten. My second child will be five next month and only weighs 32 lbs. She's just small.

Keep breastfeeding if that's what you want to do...it's the healthiest milk around.

Have you tried giving her Soy milk? That has fat in it...
Have you tried those organic milk boxes with the straw? A new receptable might help. If all else fails, how about an organic chocolate milk box?

All 3 of mine stopped at 24 lbs and just slowly got longer over the next few yrs. As long as she is eating healthy foods she's just growing at her own rate...no worries!

I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT IT! docotors rely on numbers and usually look at growth charts designed for formulafed kids! My daughter is also small and she nurses too (22 months old). She eats very healthy and she is growing, she isnt growing huge, but she is growing so I am not concerned. Are you concerned because of the doc? I seriously would keep up the nursing and forget about the whole milk, as long as she is healthy otherwise! Doctors are taught a ton on formula and receive a lecture at best on nursing so they are not knowledgeable in this area!

Jennifer, relax as long as you little one is making all her milestones I am sure she is fine. I, too had a little girl who grew "at her own rate" She grew in fractions of ounces! She nursed until she was 2. We added pediasure to her diet to give a boost to her nutrition, if we gave her juice it was orange juice with calcium (it had more nutritional value that most other juices) and tried to feed her healthy meals. Sometimes she ate and like any toddler somtimes she didn't. Our Dr. was very supportive, he ruled out any medical reasons for slow growth and told us that they all grow at their own rate. He was an older Dr. and not once did he blame her slow growth on nursing. She is a healthy 11 year old now. She is still on the petite size for her age, but what can you expect from parents who are 5'1" and 5'6"? In a world of obese kids I would vote for healthy nutrition over fattening them up.

When they do not gain weight it is usually due to an allergy to most likely wheat and then next is Milk. I would take wheat and gluten out of her diet for 4-6 weeks and see if you see any changes. STh emilk is probably hurting her tummy and that is why she will not drink it. When they eat or drink somehting they are allergic to it causes damage to their Gi tract (stomach etc) and that damage causes malasorption issues and hence your child not gaining weight. I think she is doing pretty well, I had a two year old that was 22 ppounds and at three months old was 5 pounds so not so sure how bad she is on the growth chart as long as she is growing at "her" curve I would nto push it too much unless your instincts are telling you something is wrong, her not drinking the milk is a sign to me though.
Please feel free to ask me any questions, I hope all goes well.J.

Some slowdown in the 2nd year isn't out of the norm, so try not to worry too much. As to the whole milk issue, try goat milk. It has 10 less calories than whole milk, but is much creamier and easier to digest. It may be an easier transition for her texture and taste-wise since she is still breastfeeding. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by adding butter and olive oil to foods. Have you tried yogurt. I know it's almost impossible to find any these days that isn't low-fat, but they are out there. I would avoid those toddler drinks, they are just full of sugar and fairly empty calories. My boys slowed down a great deal at one point, only gaining 1.5 lbs in a 3 month period for 6 months. The doctors finally decided part of it was just their activity level (they are non-stop movers) and the fact that kids only eat about 1000 calories a day at this stage. Around 20 months, they started sprouting like weeds again.

Hi Jennifer, I didn't read all the responses yet so sorry if it's a duplicate, but my little guy is a tank & he slowed his growth during that age, too. My doc warned me that would happen, said that's when their body growth slows & their fine motor skills go through the roof.

Good for you on nursing! I had to stop at 12 mos, wish I would've kept going but had to have some heavy-duty medicines. As long as the nutrition is right I'd not worry too much. Some people are just tiny. My dh's niece is a peanut, she's twice my toddler's age & the same weight!

Have fun!
D.

I have been there with my son. I wasn't breastfeeding but my son gained little to no weight after turning 12 months old. We decided to give him Pediasure at 19 months old and by the time he was two he had finallly gained 1 1/2lbs and was back on the charts in weight. We took him off of it recently because he is now at 20% in weight and didn't eat anything after drinking it. He also finally decided to start eating right before we took him off which encouraged our decision to take him off of it. Maybe you should try this with your daughter. My son loved it and there are different flavors you could try.

It sounds to me like you're doing just fine. As long as she doesn't seem sickly or malnourished, I wouldn't worry about her weight. The older kids get, the more they start to gain weight and grow according to a schedule all their own - her body will sort it out naturally. If you really want to try to get her to drink more whole milk, you could try adding some chocolate. But babies are meant to survive on breastmilk for the first couple of years, so I'm sure what you're doing is just fine.

I would say just make sure she eats before you breastfeed her. You have to remember breastmilk is pretty filling, so if she is breastfeeding alot than she is getting full more by the milk, than food. The only other suggestion is keep tabs on her growing. If she completely stops or goes down you may want to have her thyroid checked. I'm not saying right now as this doesn't seem a major weight problem, but our thyroid has to do with weight. My niece and nephew are both underweight (but have been from birth) and it is due to thyroid. (and there is no instances of it in the family) just a thought....

We mixed in some formula with the plain whole milk for awhile. We also put Ovaltine Chocolate Malt in my son's milk to transition from formula. It has some vitamins and good stuff despite the sugar.

Good luck!

we've had some similar issues...and are past them. Our daughter will drink "chocolate milk"--we put a teaspoon or two in her sippy cup in the morning. Also, she doesn't seem to want to drink whole milk (I guess I never could either) but will chug 2percent. Not as high fat, but she's getting cheese and cottage cheese, and loves yogurt (especially the Brown Cow brand with Blueberry!)

good luck!

It does sound like there is a potential food sensitivity if she has stopped growing. I'm sorry, but bfeeding does not mean one stops growing b/c of the milk you are giving her. Anything more than 16oz of cow's milk can cause an iron deficiency. I fully support your decision to bfeed, especially during the cold and flu season, there is a big push from public health officials for new mothers to do this through the flu season!! Other milks you can try is rice, almond and coconut milk. Coconut milk mimicks breastmilk the most because of its high fatty acid count. Lauric Acid is found in breastmilk and the only other place in the world is coconut milk and coconut oil. :)

Other food suggestions is avocados, hummus, beans, lentils, all can be cooked in soups, stews for the winter. You can add 1tsp of flax oil daily for more good fats. And I add Nutribiotics rice protein powder to my 2yr old's milks since those three do not have much protein in them. There is also coconut milk yogurt, smoothies, adding a tsp of a nut butter to her oatmeal to give her more depth to her morning cereal.

I hope some of these ideas help. Be leary of the sugars in processed milks as it does suppress the immune system.

Good Luck!
J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

Do NOT let this issue cause you to end breastfeeding before you and your daughter are ready. Since she is breastfed, I can tell you that she's the healthiest she possibly could be and that genetics are at work in her size. My 3 were on the large end of the charts - and my md said that in breastfed babies the genetics really show because they're getting optimal nutrition. Have you looked at a growth chart for a breastfed baby vs a formula fed one? You can find one on www.kellymom.com or www.llli.org. As far as adding foods goes, try avocado (which my oldest LOVED as a baby and still does). You can try adding chocolate or strawberry flavor to her milk, or using fruits and making a smoothie for her. Toss in some flax meal and wheat germ. Honestly though, she does not "need" dairy for health or weight gain. My daughter is anaphylactic to dairy, and has grown just fine not having any in her 33 months of life!

Her size has nothing to do with being breastfed. I was a tiny toddler and was formula fed from day one and fed solids way too early. My kids are at both ends of the spectrum. My 3 1/2 year old is 40 lbs (still BF) and my 21 month old is 20 lbs (still BF). He was just genetically predisposed to being small as my daughter is just bigger. Unless you feel there is an issue, you can see a pediatric GI doctor, she is probably just fine. I'm pretty sure your doctor is wrong about human milk being lower in fat than cow's milk. I think it's just the opposite.

I also have a theory about the reality that BF kids are leaner on average. I think that a human baby was born to be BF and our perception is wrong. BF babies aren't leaner, it's just that bottle-fed babies are bigger. It's all in how you look at it. It's like saying that BF babies are healthier, when actually it's that formula fed babies are unhealthier. BF is the norm and anything else is second best. SO don't doubt your milk to nourish your daughter and keep her healthy and growing. I"ll get off my soapbox now :)

I still do not understand why your Dr is blaming the breastfeeding! I breastfed my youngest son 'til he was 18 months and he has no growth problems at all. He will probably outgrow my oldest son who I only breastfed 'til he was one. And like yours, my youngest son does not like the taste of milk. He prefers soy milk. (My oldest son is allergic to dairy). If you want to put on some weight try cheese or yogurt. And of course flavered milk helps too. Good luck!

Have you tried adding Ovaltine to the milk? Sometimes my kids would go through periods of refusing whole milk when they were little and it did help a bit. I never added as much as the directions stated, just a spoon or so to flavor it a bit. Also, my daughter went through a period that her growth didn't seem to be getting anywhere. When she was a 10 months, she was about 23 pounds. At 15 months she was only at 25. Then at 18 month checkup she is up to about 28 so she did get a growth in there. The doc wasn't worried too much because her chart was fine overall. She also has days she just does not want milk so I have started to add a little Ovaltine.

Hi Jennifer~
I too have a 16 month old who weights 20 lbs 14 oz. At his 12 month appointment, my doctor told me that breastfed babies tend to be leaner as there isn't much fat in our milk as there is in cow's milk.
One way to try and introduce milk to her is to give her a mix of both types. Start with 3/4 breastmilk 1/4 whole milk, and gradually increase the cow's milk amount. I assume that, like me, you are nursing her for naps and bedtime, and (trying) to encourage milk for meals and playtimes. It could even be the cups you are using to give it to her. Maybe try a different type of sippy cup, and see if she responds to that.
I just took my son back for his 15 month checkup (1 month late) and they also said that since they are so active at this age, they tend to burn most of their calorie intake, and to try to feed them as healthy as possible, emphasizing on high carb foods, and adding extra butter to mashed potatoes, etc...
I wouldn't worry too much about it. She sounds like a healthy little girl, and will "catch" up when she's ready...at least that is what I tell myself.....

My daughter didn't like milk much either until the doctor recommended I put in a touch of nesquik--we tried strawberry first and it actually worked great. Just keep trying; it may take a while, but it will probably grow on her! Best wishes.

Hi Jennifer, My daughter was also very petite and she never even "hit their charts" until maybe 3... To me it was all non-sense.. Did my DR ever look at the family genetics. My father had 6 sisters. 2 of them were under 5 foot and couldn't hit 100lbs until they were pregnant.. The others were smaller but not that tiny. All were healthy & fine as is my daughter. She is 15 now & just hit 5 ft this past summer, her sister is 5'4" with a totally different bone structure-same Mom & Dad. The whole milk thing I agree with responder Toni V below. I suggest you contact her for additional help. My children still can not drink milk.. There are plenty of other foods to introduce. If she is naturally not liking it, trust that.. Keep nursing that is the best thing to do.

I would definitely encourage you to continue to breastfeed. Here is some info that I hope will be encouraging to you...

http://www.askdrsears.com/search.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030800.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030500.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T031100.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T031000.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T031300.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T031900.asp

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/advantagetoddler.html

Best wishes,
J.

None of my kids weighed 20lbs at her age and they are all fine. I would not worry about it...maybe she is taking a growth break. She will grow when it is her time

Hi Jennifer-

first I do not blame her for spitting the milk out. The bottom line is that we are not meant to digest dairy. Cows milk is for baby cows. Nursing is the best thing and it is great you are still doing it!

Second is that my children are 95% whole pure foods with about 5% animal products (and we do not do dairy). My children according the to "national" growth expectations are small. My 2 year old is 28 inches and weighs 22 lbs but her health is astounding. My ped says that because she is mostly raw food and organic that this is her size as well as my older children.

This may also be the body's response to a dairy and gluten intolerance. Many many times if a child is not growing the body can not digest milk and wheat proteins and the body basically goes haywire and can not absorb the nutrients.

If you need more info let me know

That's funny because we got the opposite advice when my son was a skinny toddler (cut the milk so he gets more solid foods.) I don't think milk is all that and I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think for long-term nutrition, it's better to introduce more healthy solid foods and increase the range of things she will eat. And if she's truly underweight, pediasure is a quicker bet than whole milk.

You can also try soy milk or rice milk if she just doesn't like the taste of whole milk. My kids love all milk types! The costco (Kirkland) vanilla soy milk is very inexpensive to buy in bulk, too.

Hi Jennifer,

We had the same problem getting two of our children to drink whole milk as we began the transition from Breast feeding. We finally tried mixing the expressed breast milk with a very small amount of whole milk and gradually increased the ratio of whole to breast milk. (If you go to fast, she will notice and refuse to even try it). It took about a month, but eventually, they began to drink the whole milk without much of a fuss.

I don't know if your daughter's weight and growth really fit the description of a problem. Toddlers naturally go through periods of little weight gain. Definitely don't stop breastfeeding for this reasong unless you speak to someone more familiar with weight gain,toddlers and breastfeeding.

Hello Jennifer. A friend of mine (named Jennifer, ironically enough!) had a similar problem with her son. Her doctor recommended Ensure, and she put him on that for a while. That was last year, and her son is at the perfect height and weight now. :)

We had good luck using drinkable yogurt to introduce whole milk to our now 19 month-old. (YoBaby is a good brand to look for.)

We started with just the yogurt drinks, then started cutting them half and half with whole milk and eventually transitioned to just milk. She still likes drinkable yogurt as a treat now.

I felt better about that than adding chocolate or other sugary stuff, but whatever it takes... Good luck!