My daughter is 6 years old, average height, and only 41 lbs. She is so thin. Her ribs are sticking out, clothes fall off her waist. She is a good eater. She always finishes her plate and always tries new things. She has had a recent grow spurt and now she seems so thin. My question is what can I have her eat to put some meat on her? Should I talk to her doctor? She is so tiny. Help.
Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything to do. I was the same as a child and my daughter is the same. Now, I HAVE to workout!!
M.
My daughter is 5, about 36", and weighs 36lbs (as of last measurements a few months ago). She's also extremely thin (her height is at 75%, her weight at 25%--and I know only us parents know what that means!). She's a picky eater, but she's still a good eater. She absolutely LOVES fruits and vegetables. I wouldn't worry about how thin your daughter is as long as she's eating well-balanced meals. She's getting the nutrients she needs. Some of us (like our daughters) just have great metabolisms. I don't fuss about my daughter's weight. I was anorexic and bulimic in high school. I don't obsess over her weight because I don't want her to learn that weight is to be obsessed over and have issues like I did. She eats, she's VERY active, and she's skinny. Some kids are just like that. If she wasn't eating, her hair was falling out, her skin looked sallow, if she just looked completely starved in general and was having the problems that come with it, then I would say see your pediatrician. Otherwise, leave it alone, because you don't want to program in her that weight is an issue when it shouldn't be. Just keep feeding her meals as she should eat them and let her play.
Honestly, I think it's best to start with your pediatrician. He/she, if it's determined she is too small, can recommend the best diet for her (ex. protein vs fat vs fiber) etc. Good luck!
Hi,
My daughter is 46" and 41lbs (and almost 6 years old). I asked her pediatrician about it and he said that that he wasn't concerned because her BMI was 14, which is slender, but not unhealthy. I agree with the other advice, talk to her doctor and see what he/she says and go from there. It could just be that she is a slender person.
I would see your pediatrician especially since she's a good eater. Has she always been little? He may look into testing for a metabolic disorder, or she just may need some extra calories. Try giving her pediasure for extra calories and vitamins.
I have the same problem with my 6 year old daughter, and she eats everything that is good and some! She's not a picky eater and never turns down meals, so I don't understand either why she is so skinny. It could be genetic, as I was only 90 lbs. when I got pregnant with her so all of my life I was skinny too until now. But when I spoke to the ped. about this, she prescribed me pediasure ( prescribed so that i can get it thriough wic) and still no change, so I just don't know what to do, but if you get any great ideas that help, can you please share them with me? Thanks! =P
Have they tested her thyroid? I would recommend that.
If you are concerned I would speak with her pediatrician. Perhaps she could have an absorption problem. Good luck, hopefully it's nothing and she just has a fast metabolism.
I remember getting weighed and measured on my 14th birthday - 5'7" and 98 lbs. I turned out just fine and now have a son of my own who runs around 75th percentile for height and 10th for weight. He eats plenty of healthy food and is gaining weight steadily and our doctor doesn't seem to be worried about it. I would ask your doctor about it when you see him/her next, but wouldn't worry about it too much. In the mean time, put some butter on those vegetables of hers :)
That is my son! He's always been like this. He is also six and weighs the same! I have tried all sorts of things in the past... butter on everything, whole milk yoghurt with cream on top, anything healthy but supposedly fattening, but that's just the way he is. I think it's genetic in our case. I weighed 50lbs. in 5th grade! Now I'm postpartum 8 weeks, 146lbs, about 20lbs more to go!
I don't know if it helps, just wanted you to know you are not the only one dealing with thin children! I have four!
I agree going to the doctor is the best choice right now. But some foods that are high in fat but still good for you include Avocado, Peanut butter, any nuts, fish, and olives. Of course a 6 year old may not like these. The only reason I know this is because it was recently on The Today Show. When I was in Jr. High I was super thin so I would drink Ensure to increase my calories. A drink similar to that may be helpful. Maybe the doctor could give you some good ones. I hope the doctor says she is perfectly fine!!
Talk to your pediatrician - s/he may reccomend something like pediasure or boost to add calories. My son eats ice cream almost every night before bed to keep his weight up.
You didn't specify your daughters height (average doesn't really say much)... but you can run the numbers through this Children's BMI calculator to see if her weight is considered healthy. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/bmicalculator.html
Some children metabolize faster than others, and some are very very active - so they burn more calories more quickly.
I would definately say talk to your doctor. Our little one (almost a year now) was premature and has been low on weight gain. Our pediatrician monitored his growth curve closely and told us when we were at the point where she wanted to have him see an nutritionist to see if we could increase his weight gain. For many months she was not concerned, but at a point where his weight gain slowed more than is typical, she said start working with some specialists to make sure there was not a problem. We started with a nutritionist to try that to see that would improve his weight gain prior to going to a more invasive medical route like a gastro-intestinal specialist.
So I would definately say talk to your child's pediatrician and they can tell you right off if they are concerned. If so, they can refer you on. It may just be a crazy fast metabolism and nothing more. But even with that, they may tell you to fortify her food with extra calories and fat until she reaches a weight that they are more comfortable with.
If you need the name of a nutitionist in the city we have a great one. We met once, she gave us things to try and has been open to emails and phone calls since then. We have a follow up appointment next week, which is maybe 2 months after we first saw her. So not a big financial committment (I think insurance paid for most of it anyway). You can email me at ____@____.com if you need the name.
My daughter is almost 12 years old and is 55 pounds. She should still be in a booster seat but that does not go over well with the middle school crowd. Anyhow, the doctor just has kept an eye on her and her younger brother who is also small but has not said to change anything. My middle child is 105 pounds already and towers over her "big' sister so it is just a matter of genetics. The oldest is very active and is on the swim team, plays soccer, softball, basketball, and does triathlon races so other then being skinny she is very fit and healthy. I hear you on the pants falling down, when she was little I thought it was bad elastic waist bands, it took me awhile to figure it out.
I would speek to her doctor. My oldest is also tall and thin, his bones stick out too. slim pants are too big for his waist. the doctor has assured me that he is just that way. He has a healthy diet he eats sometimes what I would think is too much. Nothing sticks to him. We don't keep many sweets in the house but he eats lots of fresh fruit and vegies. He is also very active always running and playing. My ped said that as long as he is doing that he is fine. That is just the way his body is.
