https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:46:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1894114 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:25:47 +0000 QBbride 1894114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@genarator: I just spoke to a pediatrician I work with about a similar issue, my son is 16 months and hasn't gained any weight since he was weighed at his 12 month appointment. She asked if he was eating well and meeting his milestones and was not concerned in the least. She said to just feed him a lot, since their calorie requirements per kg of body weight is the highest now than in his whole life. My son is constantly on the move so I'm not surprised he hasn't gained anything.</p> <p>Trust your gut - you know your toddler best :heart:</p> <p>ETA - you mentioned she is ahead in her physical milestones. The paediatrician I work with also said it is those babies who are advanced in their physical milestones who drop off their curve because they're so active. Don't worry!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892829 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 07:44:05 +0000 genarator 1892829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for your encouragement, suggestions, and stories. She does not look sickly or frail. In fact the nurse commented on how freakishly strong she was. And she is quite advanced verbally, emotionally, and mobility wise. The dr noted this as well. My husband and I, along with out family that includes a nutritionist and a NICU nurse have all agreed she is just a petite flower. Lol. Dr.'S just love to make you worry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892728 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 06:33:55 +0000 ValentineMommy 1892728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@genarator: No advice, but I just wanted to let you know that A is perfect, just how she is &lt;3 You're small, she's small. I've seen that kid eat....she's fine. She's socially, emotionally, and mentally on track, if not advanced, so I wouldn't be SUPER concerned or stress yourself out about it. You're getting the bloodwork and whatnot, so I hope that can put your mind at ease.</p> <p>That being said, D has LOST a half a pound from 18m-now, and our doctor STILL isn't concerned about his (lack of) eating. He's always been on the large side, as you know, and has evened out now. </p> <p>They all grow at their own rate. She's happy and healthy....and tiny, like her mama. Hugs &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892609 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:45:09 +0000 skibobrown 1892609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, there always has to be someone on the extreme ends of the growth curve. Perhaps your child is one of those kids. I was extremely skinny as a kid, and DD is also seeming to follow in those footsteps. She barely gained weight in the last 9 months of doctor's appointments. Our pediatrician is keeping an eye on things, but she doesn't seem worried at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892605 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:41:22 +0000 MrsRcCar 1892605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@genarator: It has been struggle with N's weight for a while now. We go to the doctor in November and I am praying he has gained enough according to his doctor. We went through a patch were N lost two or three pounds. We are on the up swing for now. Hoping it stays this way. I know I am not much help but I know he feeling. Big hugs momma. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892596 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:06:10 +0000 irene 1892596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much does your daughter weighs at 15 and 18 months?</p> <p>We have been there before, where my LO was a big baby (90% on weight) on top of the charts at 2 months, then he dropped to 15% on weight by 9 months. There were reflux issues, and he seldom ate as much as the "recommended" portions. But he was always on par with all developmental goals.</p> <p>In our situation we were the worried one while all the doctors we saw were trying to tell us we shouldn't be. He never lose weight, but he also doesn't gain. There would be a long period of time (weeks and months) he weighs the same. Our doctor referred us to a GI specialist (only because we forced him to), and we did the blood work, swallow test, stool sample....etc. Nothing was wrong other than reflux which he was given stronger meds, but that didn't make him eat more. We were also seeing a nutritionist at the GI's. We had to do a food diary for 3 days, and then she calculates what we should do to pack in more calories. There she suggested us to add a certain measurement of formula in his breastmilk x times a day, and add olive oil in his purees. He gained weight, not a whole lot, and I am actually not sure if it was related. At the end, we just stopped going because we realized we were the crazy ones and the doctors have been telling us there is nothing to worry about. And LO was healthy. And he is 2 years old now. I never really look at the scale again.</p> <p>What I want to say is, have you seeked out a 2nd opinion? I haven't seen your LO but does she look generally like a happy healthy toddler? It could be genetically related and I wonder what would a 2nd opinion say. I would suggest seeing a nutritionist as a next step. Seeing a nutritionist back then made me feel like we have a plan. Your nutritionist is basically a 2nd opinion too, and can offer you ideas on what foods you can feed your LO for more calories and/or extra supplements you can add. Our nutritionist said we could try pediasure too, but LO won't drink it at all.</p> <p>ETA: Another thing is, did your doctor tell you what is his worries, and what is he suspecting that could be wrong? (eg. parasites? Any kind of rare genetical illness? ....etc.) I would be interested to find out. Good luck to you ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892181 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 15:41:38 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1892181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is a preemie, but we have always dealt with low weight. He's 2 today, 20.5 months adjusted.</p> <p>1) Pediasure made him throw up so we add whole milk powder to his milk to increase the calories. (In addition to adding lots of butter and oils to his foods.) But he basically eats normally. We will continue adding the whole milk powder for at least another 6 months. Our ped said too add as much powder as he can handle without getting constipated. For us that's about 3 scoops for about 8 ounces of milk.</p> <p>2) Our goal was 20lbs by today which we achieved...yay! He has gained almost exactly 1 lb in the last 3 months. Our new goal is 22 lbs by age 3. My ped stresses that weight gets much harder to put on as kids get more active.</p> <p>I think it always makes sense to see if there is an underlying issue, but after that, encourage a filling, calorie dense, varied diet. If you lo is eating well, that's great! Our motto is to "make every bite count." Sometimes that's a high calorie food, but sometimes it's broccoli with nothing added because that's really important too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892175 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 15:37:23 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1892175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My lo is in the 5th percentile and is gaining about the same rate you described, and his doctor was not concerned at all. If she is on her curve, hitting milestones, and growing in height, then according to my ped they are completely healthy.</p> <p>ETA: when they are on the low percentile curve it doesn't take much gain to stay on their curve. Lo has only gained 1.5 lbs in the last 9 months. Ped is still not concerned at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892159 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 15:31:58 +0000 Maysprout 1892159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter was in the 3rd percentile for weight at her 2nd birthday, she was average height though. Our doctor recommended switching to whole milk since we usually drank 2% and just to try and encourage foods with some fat to them - we did lots of avocados and whole milk yogurt.<br /> For the most part our Dr. wasn't worried. It wasn't affecting her height growth at all and she's always been way ahead for physical milestones. She did a weigh in when my 2nd LO was born, about 6 months later. LO hadn't gained much weight - I think it was a lb, maybe just a tad more, but the Dr. said as long as she wasn't losing weight she wasn't worried. She went up a little bit in percentile at her 3rd birthday but I think she's just got a certain build. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892076 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:45:28 +0000 JerricaBenton 1892076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and we've also tried the Ella's shakes but they taste kinda gross I think! I can get LO to take a few sips but she's not into them. :'( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892069 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:43:26 +0000 JerricaBenton 1892069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in pretty much the exact same situation. Pedi hasn't recommended supplements (yet) but I'm also uncomfortable with the ingredients in pediasure and 'toddler formula.' LO is 20 months, normal in height but always just on the edge of the weight chart. She gains steadily. She meets or exceeds all milestones, eats a ton of healthy foods and in my opinion, is just petite! My husband was a small child and a late bloomer so she takes after him, physically. I hate going to her appointments because I'm so nervous about what they'll say about her weight :-/ We still breastfeed a few times a day and they advised us to cut back a bit, which we did, but I don't think it's changed her eating habits. Just a fast metabolism I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892044 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:23:30 +0000 Jess1483 1892044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My little guy is 22.5 months. Between 18 and 22.5 months, he gained a whopping 12 ounces. We did have to shift away from nursing and onto more solids around 10 months, because he was losing weight, but other than that, he's been just on the slower side of the growth chart (always under 3%). </p> <p>Luckily, his ped was also my ped (I really want her to not retire before my kids are grown...), and I did the same thing. I was super tiny until high school, it's just the way I grew (or didn't, as the case may be). So, as long as he gains any weight, really, she's not concerned. She did say at 3 years, she'll do some kind of growth test to make sure it's not hormonal, but she really doesn't think it is given my history. </p> <p>Like yours, my kiddo eats EVERYTHING. We eat two breakfasts, often two lunches, an afternoon snack, and dinner. He just has a stellar metabolism.</p> <p>Is she following a growth curve, even if it's not the standard one? As long as she's not losing weight, I wouldn't be too concerned, but then again, I'm not a doctor. If she starts pushing for things you aren't comfortable with, though, I'd maybe look for another ped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892035 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:18:05 +0000 tinyperson 1892035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@genarator: We went through this at a younger age (between 6 and 12 months). We had all the bloodwork done, genetic testing done, and nothing came back to explain why. I know my DH's brother was really tiny as a kid, so after ruling everything out, they just said it was probably genetic. She was hitting all her milestones and eventually started back up on her curve. I would have all the bloodwork done to rule things out just to make sure, and then just do what you can to make every calorie count! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/failure-to-gain-weight-toddler#post-1892029 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:14:43 +0000 genarator 1892029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the past two check ups, 15 and 18 months, my child's pediatrician has been concerned with my daughters slowed weight gain., or failure to gain weight as she called it. the past two visits she has been on the &lt;3% weight, but she jumped in height from 16 to 21 % for height. </p> <p>At the previous visit, the pediatrician recommend I supplement milk with pediasure. I did not, as I did not like it's contents. My daughter eats very healthy and I did not want to undo her healthy eating habits. However, I did find three supplements we use: Ella's kitchen nutrition shake, happy tots nutrition shake, and ograin nutrition shake. All are between 180-200 calories, I believe.</p> <p>After telling the pediatrician what my daughter ate the past two days, she was in shock and disbelief that 1. My daughter eats so well and 2. That with the addition of the shake she has not put on more than 6 oz since her last visit. </p> <p>Both her father and I were always thin as children and didn't put on any weight (even then still not a lot of it) until college when you order pizza at 1 am and drink a lot of beer. Anywho so I explained that to the Dr and asked if it's genetics. She said maybe but she should still be putting on more weight. </p> <p>The pediatrician then prescribed blood work be conducted. I looked at the possible tests and she shows absolutely no symptoms of anything. Poop is once daily and formed, has never had diarrhea, never appears to be in any pain, she has never vomited, shows no allergy symptoms, etc etc. </p> <p>We will be getting the blood checked to be on the safe side.<br /> Has anyone dealt with "failure to gain weight" as the Dr. calls it? If so, how have you dealt with it? What are some reasons? I'm now a concerned mommy and wasn't prior to her visit. </p> <p>Side note, on the positive side the Dr. Called her a smarty pants and a very happy baby. So I guess if we fail at something at least it's weight? Just trying to see the silver lining. </p>