Baby with Big Belly: Health Problem???

The experts says it's normal for kids 12mos - 3 years of age to have the "potbelly". I wondered that too and that's wha they told me. My daughter is 2 1/2 and it's starting to even out since she's getting taller.

Nanc

Totally normal. My son goes through two kinds of growth spurts. He'll eat everything in sight and get a big Buddha Belly (what we lovingly call it) and then a week or so later it seems like he grows an inch in height. The Buddha Belly goes away and he thins out. He's been doing this since he was about 15 months old. Most toddlers have a big belly, but if you are concerned about it, don't hesitate to call your pediatrician. That's what they are there for!

Hi S.,
If you have any concerns, let your pediatrician know. If your doctor is seeing her regularly and suspects a problem, he/she will certainly address it. If you see it as potentially a problem, but your doctor has seen your daughter and it didn't occur to him/her that anything was out of the ordinary, then it's very unlikely that something is wrong, unless you are seeing SUDDEN distension of the abdomen

Nah - it's toddler tummy. I like to think it's that big to help them balance when they're new walkers...

S.,

My daughter is 15 months old and has a "budda belly" as I call it. I am not concerned about it being a medical problem. But more of a health/social problem in the future as I also put on weight in my middle. I still look like I am 7 months pregnant, and am at my prepregnancy weight! My sister borrowed my daughter's pants, she is 9 months old, and said the pants kept on falling off because my daughter out stretched them "because od her belly". Comments like that is what I am worried about in the future. I had an eating disorder and am so afraid that my feeelings about food will be picked up by my daughter. So I have to make a conscious effort everyday not to make a big deal of it, and stop saying to her that she has a budda belly.

I loved all the comments that were made for your question. Thank you for posting this as so many of us have feeling about this topic.

Regards,

M.

Hi S.- I think she should definately take the baby and have her stomach checked out. If her dr says its ok please get a second opinion. I seen a case like this on TLC.

My 2 1/2 year old is the same way - skinny everywhere but her puggy gut. I asked the doctor and he said that she will eventually out grow it and that it's quite common. He called it baby belly. But it can be a pain cause some shirts are tight in the tummy and some pants are too long when compensating for her tummy size. It also makes wearing skirts challenging as they fall below her belly. But she is perfect weight and height and eats a balanced diet. Just has a gut!

My one son has the big belly too.....but I'm more concerned about my big belly. Will that go away with age too? LOL wish it was that easy. I believe it is normal as well, but never hesitate to check in w/ your ped if you nervous.

HI S.,
I am not expert at all. Just wanted to let you know my niece also has a big belly. My sister asked her doctor and said that it's the intestines of the baby and how they are set in her stomach. The doctor said once she grew taller it would move and spread out. I would ask your doctor. They can explaine better or see if that's the case.

Is her belly always big or do you think she's experiencing bloating? Our son has lots of bloating, he's 2. That combined with his slowed growth (he was 23 pouds at 12 months, and is 26 pounds at 25 months, with a recent weight loss of 2 pounds...) has concerned the doctors so they are looking at food allergies. He also eats, pees, and poops normally but has bad eczema, facial flushing, and some diaper-area rashes. So he had some other indicators of something. If you think she could be bloating and not just buddha bellied, then you may want to ask her ped.

Nope, she's totally normal. My daughter is the same age and she's between 21 and 22 lbs. She has this tummy that sticks out like the kids in the pictures from Africa, with the little stick legs. I wouldn't worry about her. She's normal.

My daughter is 18 months too and I am concerned about the same thing. Her belly is huge. She looks 9 months pregnant. The kids at daycare says she has a basketball under her shirt :( In the mornings it seems a little flatter, but once the day starts and she has something to eat, it stays huge all day.

Anyway, my Dr. actually ordered an ultrasound of her abdomen just to make sure there was nothing wrong. We had it this morning and un-officcially, everything looked fine. The Dr. will let us know in a couple of days for sure.

But I just wanted to let you know that my daughter has that too, so i guess it's somewhat common and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her.

Hi. Not to worry you but your baby seems rather small. Mine is 8 months old and almost 20 lbs. Is your pediatrician not worried about her weight? As for the belly, probably not a big deal, a lot of kids have bellies, but if you're worried get her checked out. I'd be more concerned about the low weight, I think.

Hi my name is M. I'm raising my Grandson he is 4 soon to be 5 in July he also has a Big Belly ,his been cubby since he was little all the Children around us are his friends their all the same age but he is the Biggest one , and the others are so skinny and petite ,I like the one comment of getting the ultra sound maybe I'll ask his Doc. to get one done just to be on the safe side... He is very Active swims, rides his bike never sits still but just to me seems odd be cause of all he does!?! He also is a good eater and healthy snacks (Apples,Bananas,Veggies ETC...) So I just don't know if its just (Baby fat)?

Thank You All Mj :)

Everything is working fine, I would not worry about it.
Some babies look like they have big bellies. If there
was a problem you would know about it. Relax and enjoy.