Underweight 4 Year Old

Hi S.,
I also have a small boy--he was born little and has kept being small--his pediatrician was thrilled when he hit the 10th percentile at his 7 year check up in January because he'd never been that high! We also worried a lot about his eating and growth when he was little, however since his doctor wasn't worried, we've decided that the kid is just going to eat and grow as his body directs him. From what I can tell, the doctors want to see the child continuing to track along the same curve. So if your son's growth rate has dropped compared to the past, it would explain the doctor's concern (unless you have a different doctor now, in which case s/he might not realize that this is just how your son IS). Personally, I would not worry about trying to get a child to gain weight. Their little bodies are programmed to eat when they need and pressure doesn't work or make anyone's life enjoyable. Good luck with it. A.

My 9 yr. old daughter barely weighs 50 lbs, less than her 6 yr old brother...she's just small, as are some kids! Esp. a twin, or those who start life small (she was 4 lbs). I wouldn't worry if he is eating- if you are really worried, try those ensure shake things, they add a lot of calories in a nutritious way. I can't believe a 5 lb. difference is that much of a cause for concern! (Unless he suddenly dropped in weight.) Good luck, hope that helps!

A.

I would follow the Dr. orders as far as testing and tracking goes... but, JMO, don't force food etc! My sister was VERY thin as a child, she ate just fine. But the Dr. insisted that my mom feed her 'extra', extra everything, I remember one specific was ice cream shakes... guess what, she is now overweight.

Unless there has been signs for other concerns, I think you are correct there are so many things that go into the consideration when weight is low or high. Our family has potential of being more overweight - the majority of us fight this battle daily. Well, if the dad is small built then your son just may be taking after him and his side of the family. I had this with my twins, my son was the smaller and still is at age 27. Unfortunately, his twin sister took more after my side of the family and is of larger frame. Unless the doctor sees other reasons for the concern, I wouldn't worry overly much.

Good luck!

I have twins that are six. My pediatrician in Raleigh, NC told me that my underweight, below the chart son wouldn't catch up until he was six years old. My son made it on the charts are five (and I mean in the bottom 3%.) As long as he is healthy in every other way, I wouldn't worry. Also, before I would have bones tested, get a second opinion. I watched a friend feed their son heavy cream instead of milk just to help his weight - that to me seems unhealthy and gross.

You may want to see if he likes to drink one of the Ensure flavors. They are nutrient and calorie rich, and if he added several of those per day to his diet, he may start to gain some weight.

Hi S.,

First of all, don't worry. If he's eating and active and doesn't eat junk, my guess is he's fine. I had a daughter that was very small (like my family) and when she hit her first major growth spurt, she gained weight. I never worried because my entire family was small.

Doctors tend to go by charts and averages and order test when things don't fit. My only suggestion is to make sure he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Nutrition balances weight. I always suggest an absorbable multivitamin (I can recommend one if you like) to supplement food because of the way food is supplied in these times. I would also suggest that you might do a cleanse on him to make sure that the intestinal tract is clean enough to actually absorb the nutrition the way it is supposed to. Any health problem always stems from either the neurological system or the digestive system. If both are working properly everything else should fall into place.

God bless!

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

Is your four-year-old's weight the only thing that has the doctor concerned? I mean, has his growth chart shown great strides and now it's halted -- or something like that? I'm assuming your twins are fraternal. If that's the case, then I think it's logical that one child could be more like mom and one more like dad. But, if they're identical, the doctor had good reason to be concerned.

There are a lot of unknowns here. My opinion is this: if the kids are fraternal twins and if your smaller one is behaving normally and developmentally on-target, there's probably nothing wrong.

If it were me, I would talk to the doctor and ask if they're just being cautious or do they suspect a problem. I think all of these thoughts and concerns you're having should be discussed with your kids' doctor. He/she may tell you something you need to hear or put your concern to rest. I hope all is well!

You shouldn't be worried until there is something to be worried about. But if your doctor feels like he needs more information you should just do it, because when it comes to your kids it is always better safe than sorry. My kids don't eat fast food either and that makes them a little smaller than their peers but your doctor is comparing them to their own previous weight on the growth graph and he probably isn't growing at the rate he was previously growing. That doesn't mean you should be worried he might have a growth spurt next week, but you should get the tests and keep the journal just in case. Good luck, I hope everything turns out great. D.

Hi S.,

I have two children. A daughter who is 6 going on 7 in May and a son who is 2 going on 3 also in May. My 6 year old daughter weighs 39 pounds and my 2 year old son weighs 30. I used to be worried about my daughter because she was (and still is) the smallest one in a group of kids her age...at school, dance class, etc. Her appetite is healthy and she eats well, it just doesn't show up on the scale. I am average height 5'5", but my husband is shorter. Also there are several tall people on my side of the family; I have cousins that were 6' tall at the age of 14, while my husband has shorter than average members on his side of the family; parents, aunts and uncles.

I remember going to a well baby appointment with my daughter when she was a toddler. The doctor told me my daughter was going to be petite by saying she won't be the tallest player in the WNBA, but she's fully capable of playing. It's okay that my daughter is petite as long as she is happy and healthy.

Hope this helps to calm you. Be encouraged.

D.

Although it's probably genetic, your child could have diabetes. That needs to be checked out. What a child eats has a lot to do with diabetes, gaining, not gaining weight. My son lost weight when he went to China and his lifestyle changed.

Hum, I understand your frustration and I'd probably be the same way. Has both of your kids been on the same curve for height and weight? If your smallest has, then I wouldn't stress about it too much and really a 5lb difference doesn't seem that big of a deal to me either. My kids aren't twins but my daughter wasn't even 20lb by time she was 1yr old and is now pushing 60 at almost 9yrs. My son was 20lbs by time he was 9 months but now at almost 3yrs old is only 30lbs!! But they've stayed on their curve so it was never an issue on how they gained weight.

Hummor your kids' DR and keep writing your book of foods and if nothing comes out of it then great and he'll leave the issue alone.

Good luck!
S.

My oldest son, now nearing 14yo, was diagnosed with Failure to Thrive. He has always been underweight. Both of my children eat the same things at the same time every day and one is still underweight while the other is really tall for his age and a bit overweight.
Our developmental ped and regular ped both recommended Carnation Instant Breakfast for my oldest. He drank 2 or 3 a day in addition to his 3 meals and snacks. He hasn't caught up completely weight wise but is no longer losing weight or at a complete standstill.
Try not to worry about it too much, but do keep the records that your doc is asking for.
M.

I am in the same boat. My daughter will be 4 soon and she is only 34in tall and 27lbs. The pediatrician has her in every three months for weight and bight check ups. She has been tested for anemia and her thyroid has been checked and all were OK. She eats all the time and we don't keep much junk food on the house. She is small and not really growing much. My youngest will be 2 next month and she is 31inches and 28lbs. My oldest almost six and she is only 39inches and 42lbs. I'm not too worried unless the doctor feels there is a concern. She just might be small when she grows up.

S.- Please do worry yourself too much....I'm glad your Dr. is atleast ordering tests just to be sure- I can't get my pediatrician to do anything for my little one (he is 2 yrs 5 months ) and weighs only 25 lbs- he weighed 19 1/2 at his 6 month check up!!! and he is teeny tine- he looks like a 1 yr old!
My 7 (almost 8 yr old) is only 45 lbs and my 6 yr old is only 38 lbs!!
I was verylittle until I hit puberty...then I started looking like everyone else...take into consideration any family history of food allergies or other conditions- those can stunt growth too- for instance- my oldest has an intolerance to gluten (nothing that would show up on an allergist "allergy test") but still has many negative side effects for him- I seem to think my 3rd may possibly have celiac since he is so small- but am unwilling to go thru the invasive testing to find out- so we are starting a gluten free diet....
Thats all just me- but please don't worry yourself too much- even tho they are twins they are two individuals! and everyone is different! (even twins)
good luck to you and keep us posted on what the outcome is!
Nikki
mom of 3 boys