Underweight 13 Month Old, I Did Have IUGR During Pregnancy.

I wouldn't worry too much about it since the doctors have run tests on her and can find nothing wrong. My son is almost two and still wears 12 month old pants... He's 23 pounds. The doctor just tells us he's petite also. if she is still active and hitting her developemental milestones, I wouldn't stress... In regards to the picky eating, all i do is find the healthy stuff he likes and hide the tuff he doesn't like in it! he likes meat loaf so i chop Spinach up and cook it in the meat loaf. He also likes scrambled eggs, so I put veggies in his eggs!

L. c.

Hello, S.,

I work with some extraordinary foods as a nutrition coach. I have a mid-wife in my group who has delivered over 3500 babies and knows the power of these regenerative foods, as well. I would love to have the opportunity to talk with you about how they can help. Let me know if you would be interested.

My very best to you,

T.

Okay I have a friend and her son was full term and had a baby just over 5 pounds. She says that to help with brain growth giver her lots of food like butter that has a lot of fat. also my son is also under weight and a picky eater A friend told me about something called germ wheat. you can get in the baking goods section. It looks like oatmeal but 2 tablespoons equal 14 grams of protien.

The only thing I can think of you could do besides stop worrying is to make sure she is getting some extra DHA. There is a chewable called Brainiums that is wonderful!! You can get it at www.we-us.mychoices.biz

An age appropriate supplement is never a bad idea and the childrens chewable by Nutrilite is great and can (not always) help with appetite. You can get that at the above site also.

One of my twins was 'squished and upside down' and was thin for quite a while. He is a 6'7" strapping man now.

I too have a similar story. My son was full term, weighed only 5 pounds, C-Section. He was IUGR also,spent 2 weeks in ICU when first born, undergoing test after test. He also hit every milestone. He is going to be 5 in July. On the so-called "growth chart," he is somewhat below average, but he is better than before. He is a smart, healthy, normal little boy, and that's all I care about, not the "chart." He too is a VERY picky eater, but the good news, he is getting better and trying new things. I used to use the Pediasure. He wasn't that crazy about it, though. And all the other suggestions from the other moms are great as well as far as the different foods. I also used wheat germ, sprinkled it on some of his foods.
Don't worry needlessly. She's healthy!!! Enjoy her.

Hi S.,

Our son is also small (he was 18 lbs 6 oz at 12 mo) and is a very uninterested and picky eater. We started giving him smoothies in a nuby twice a day (morning and night). We make the smoothies in the magic bullet or blender and use 1 banana, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup whole plain yogurt, and a few tablespoons of fruit puree (or you can use a small jar of fruit baby food). He's still not a big baby, but he is back on the weight chart for his age. Trader Joe's used to sell apricot, peach, and mango sauces that I used in the smoothies, but they stopped carrying them a couple months ago. Now I just buy the mango they sell in a jar w/ juice and blend it all at once and put it back in the jar - then it's easy to just add a few tablespoons to the smoothie. Best wishes - I know how hard it can be having a small baby.

C.

My daughter is 13 months old and at her 12 month appointment she weighed in at a barely 17lbs. My doctor didn't seem to concerned because she was also very tall for her age. I did give her the pedisure which was interesting at first because I would give it to her at room temp. She was not having it, but she loves it when its super cold. Have you tried that? My daughter has been on 1 a day for the past 3 - 4 weeks and has already packed on some good healthy weight.

You said yourself that she is healthy, active, and hitting all the milestones -- that's what you should focus on. She could just be what Dr. Sears calls a "banana baby" -- long and skinny. My daughter is not a picky eater and she eats constantly. We've tried all sorts of things to help her gain weight, including making her scrambled eggs with cream and cooking them in butter. At 22 months she is just now flirting with 20 pounds (and she's wonderfully healthy and active). Keep offering a variety of healthy foods, including healthy fats like avocado. Our pediatritian also suggested putting safflower oil on her food. Hope that's helpful.

S.,
Leave her alone - really. I can't believe that the docs have made you go through all of this - all they have to do is look at your little frame. Seriously - how frustrating. I, too, had IUGR, difficult pregnancy (emergency amnio, ultrasounds every week, too much amniotic fluid), she was born 3.5 weeks early (not really premie), at 5.3. She was down to 4.9 when we left hospital. Only breastfed. Stayed in the 10% for the first three months - the STOPPED gaining weight! Heart scans later - no problem. She was actually OFF the chart (under 10% for four months), then got back on, barely, at seven months. S., at one year, she only weighed 14 pounds. I swear that I never thought she'd get out of her infant car seat. She did, at almost two!
Ok, she's now 9 1/2. Has a belly that we were told we had to "keep an eye on" (meaning, she's a bit overweight). She is now in the 75th for weight. She's perfect, in my eyes. I'm 5 feet - she's not going to play women's basketball. She really began gaining weight in first grade. That's when she jumped out of the 10%. And, by the way, when we first introduced solids, unlike your daughter, she wouldn't take them - she'd gag. I just kept breastfeeding her. Now, she's my girl who will, at least, try anything - unlike her brother (older), who won't try anything new and is very picky. Love her, nurture her. The tests that they've already put her through, show that she is fine. Enjoy her.
J.

Congratulations on a beautiful baby girl. My oldest son was born slightly early and came home at 4 lb 11 oz. He was very tiny..only 22 lbs at 2 years, but active and kept up with the milestones in development. He always fit the clothing size..at two took a 2, etc. My other sons took much larger than age sizes. We kept him back a grade because of size...he was born in June, but still was the smallest boy in the class when he was 6 and starting Kindergarten. He remained the smallest boy in the class until he was about 14 years old and began puberty. He is now 5 10 1/2" (height of Dad, I am 5' 1")

I think since the doctors can't find any physical problem, she should be fine. She will probably not catch up until puberty. But since she is a girl she will not have the problems I had with my son ...girls can be petite:)

As far as being thin...my youngest son was always tall but very thin. He would be in the top 10% on height and the bottom 10% in weight...the doctor always told me not to worry because he was just built that way. He is still very slender.

Unless she has problems, don't look for more. She sounds like an adorable child and I pray God will bless you as you enjoy her and raise her.
H.

Hi S.,

My kids are also small. My son is 11 months and weighs 15lbs and he was full term - weighed 7.1 lbs at birth. Some kids are just smaller than others. My daughter is 3 and 27lbs. Our ped. said that they just want to see "growth". It's okay to be small (my son isn't even on the growth chart) but as long as he continues to grow; even a little, she says there is no worry. If their growth plateaus then there is some worry. Both of my kids were breastfed (daughter until 14 months, son is still nursing) and we eat a healthy diet. Both of my kids will actually eat anything you put in front of them which just shows some kids are meant to be small becuase with the amount they eat, they should both be at the top of the chart. They eat a lot of healthy fats - avocados, nuts, eggs, whole milk yogurt, protein and lots of veggies. I put olive oil on veggies and whole wheat pasta and they both love it. Smoothies are great too. I add fruit, yogurt, ground flax, granola, protein powder and fruit juice or milk and my kids love them. Keep eating healthy and as long as she is progressing don't worry yourself. Best of luck!

It sounds like you're doing all the right tests; just concentrate on making sure her diet is meeting her caloric needs (and get with a nutritionist if needed), lots of healthy fats to her diet. You might also want to consult with an endocrinologist (as your pediatrician). Good luck.

Sounds like the docs say she's healthy, so I wouldn't worry too much. You might just try to make sure she gets all the nutrients she needs, and then don't worry about weight.

We found this book to be GREAT: "Super Baby Food" -- it has great recipes, lets you know what foods to introduce at which month, discusses nutrition, and makes it EASY EASY EASY to make your own baby food. There are recipes for infants as well as toddlers. We really liked this book. Good luck.

Ok I'm sure you have heard it all by now but I just wanted to share that I work with an organization that brings in children from other countries who need open heart surgery. That being said the last child I had was a 13month old girl who weighed under 15lbs. Yes, a lot was from her poor heart but a lot was who she is. The thing that worked the best for us to put wieght on her was the pedisure we did have to keep trying to get her to drink it and we had to try several flavors. We would give her every other feeding the pedisure. Also, my oldest child who is now 16 was very little as a baby always in the 15% on charts she is still thin barely 100 lbs and 5'3" she is doing just fine just pettite. Try not to worry too much I'm sure she is fine just little. Good luck and just keep trying to find new things she will eat.

Hi,
I have a daughter that was extremely small at birth as well. I did not have IUGR but I went into labor at 28 weeks. The doctors stopped my labor and I made it to 38 weeks. When I had my daughter she was only 4.12 lbs as well. Right now she is 18 months and weighs 16 pounds! So believe me I know how you feel. My daughter hardly ever eats but when she does I give her yogurt made from whole milk, I put butter in almost everything and I let her dip a lot of her foods in ranch dressing. I hope this helps.

I'll try to be quick as I am sure you will get lots of responses. I myself was about the same weight at 1yr. I am now 38 yrs old and have always been skinny, until my early 30's. I am healthy but have always been under weight for my height. I too was "older" when I got pregnant, 35, and all the doctors and pregnancy classes I went too put the fear of God in me about being "older". I had genetic testing extra blood work and a more intense ultrasound early on in the pregnancy to make sure everything was fine. I gave birth a week early to a perfectly healthy baby girl. My point is I think they have put the same fear in you that I had about the chances of all this "stuff" that could go wrong. Which made the whole process a little stressful. Anyway I was a month early weighted 6lbs at birth and around 13lbs at 1 yr. and I turned out just fine. I hope this eases your mind a little that some kids are just "little".

Hi S.,

I understand your concern. I am always conscious of my babies (I have twins that are 15 months) being underweight as mine were 2 months premature. Mine recently had a stomach bug and lost weight so I have been trying to help them put a little back on.
So if she is willing to eat solid food try to add a little fat to her diet. Use real butter if she eats toast and don't be afraid to put in on a little thick. You can even add a touch of butter to things like oatmeal just to boost the calaries a bit. My daughter was looking really thin there right after her illness so I actually added a little heavy cream to the breast milk she drinks from a cup. You know, stuff like that. It seems to be helping mine to get back to their correct weight. Like you said, I don't want fat babies, but when they are thin you start to get concerned. I couldn't help but think - what if they get sick again and can't afford a bit of weight lose?

Anyway these are just my ideas.
Good Luck,G.

My now 30 lbs 3 year old was large at birth and thinned out at the time he became a walker....

he went from the 90th% to the 5th%...this is VERY common for breastfed babies we just don't see it b/c so many people are using artificial baby milk.

Some things that worked for us are the following...He really liked yogurt so we got whole milk organic yogurt and offered it with every meal, we also would crush up a avocado and add yogurt to it (it does not change the taste but adds fat) We also added coconut oil to everything he ate (great in a smoothy)

He was not very interested in food so I let him nurse as much as he wanted and eventually he started to become more interested in food (around 18 months)...he is now in the 50th%....

It sounds like she is perfectly healthy and happy, which is something to be grateful for! Flax oil and avocado are great sources of healthy fat and calories. Flax oil doesn't taste so great alone, but in a fruit smoothy you can't detect it and my kids drink them down. Fresh or frozen fruit (strawberries and blueberries are the best I think), yogurt (not low fat) and a tablespoon of flax oil in the blender makes a great snack or breakfast. with lots of calories. I also add smart balance (healthier than butter I think) to their veggies or oatmeal when I'm trying to get calories into my kids (my 4 year old daughter is very thin)

Happy, healthy, good metabolism, what more could you ask for! My daughter too was very little. She saw the Gi specialist, the cardiologist, was admitted into the hospital for failure to thrive etc. She was born at 6 lbs, and at 6 months old she still only weighed 7 lbs. Tiny little thing! At her 1 year check up she was only 11 lbs. I was breast feeding until 6 months, then they started fortifying my breast milk to make it 28 calorie instead of 20 calorie. This seemed to help. She gained 4 lbs in 6 months. They kept her with fortified BM and formula until she was 2 years old (she still only weighed 17 lbs). 2 1/2 was a big age for us and we finally got to forward face her carseat because she hit 20 lbs! Even now at 3 1/2 she is 23 lbs. If the doctor is not concerned I wouldn't be. I am sure you see the GI specialist on a regualar basis, but maybe check to see if fortifying your BM would be a good option. Other then that relax and enjoy your little one! She will enjoy her metabolism when she is older!

S.,
I can't blame you for worrying! I would too. It;s so easy when anything is happening to you than to your child, no? Things pop in your head that would never if it was you. It's the mama gene :)

I agree with some of the posts that you should just let it go. No more tests! For one, nothing seems to be wrong, and two, you don't want her to get any issues around her body image and weight. Girls have it tough enough.

I'd just continue to offer her good nutrition, even if she only eats small meals, and let time take it's course. I have a friend whose daughter is now 5, similar situation, IUGR, preemie. She's still tiny, but developmentally fine. Her dad is 6'7" and her mom is 5'10"! At least you have genetics with your slight frame partly playing into why she could be small.

One thing that may or may not help you is that she may in fact been preemie. There is a common misconsception in our society that full term is 40 weeks (with our prevelent culture of over doing the indutions and Csections). But in fact, according to Harvard studies, a first time mom's AVG gestation, WITHOUT INTERVENTION (hard to find these days), is actually 41 1/7 weeks. It's a few days longer for subsequent births. This means that if 41+ is the AVERAGE, there have to be births on both sides of that. So a 38 week old could in fact be 4-5 weeks early, and therefor be a preemie (which would explain her low birth weight and current petite size). Who knows. But even if she was a preemie, the good news is she is healthy now.

So focus on that. Enjoy your baby girl and try not to worry. Focus on only the things you can control, like quality time, good food, and lots of snuggles!

A.
ps I sure there are many stories of babies on the flip side who are tubby little guys, even into toddler/ later years, whose parents are lean and fit, and the kids eat well and get exercise. Many grow out of it.

While my daughter wasn't that small, she was very petite for a long time. SHe is 2.5 now and 27 lbs. Just make sure she has planty of snacks available and as long as she is eating healthy meals I wouldn't worry. For a while my daughter was a picky eater but if she had dips for foods she would eat just about anything. We used ranch, sour cream, peanut butter etc and she loved it. You can also try giving her flavored milk such as chocolate or strawberry. Good luck

Do not worry. My girls were both thin. My youngest just turned two and finally hit 20lbs. Actually she is 22lbs. The little bug can eat us all out of the house so it's just who she is. She will be a thin girl.

Enjoy your skinny little bundle.

D.

Hi S.,

The fact that she is healthy in every way suggests that she is just going to be thin. Just make sure she has good food options and relax.

V.

I could have written the same letter. I had IUGR too. My daughter is now 26 months and weighs 19 pounds. She weighs less than my 4 year old did at her age, who only weighs 27 pounds now. The 4 year old had the same tests done too--all came back negative. The doctors nor I were worried about my second daughter. They are both very healthy, met all of their milestones, etc. I gave Pediasure to them, added butter to everything, gave them milkshakes etc. It didn't really help. I say to forget about it as long as she has no problems.

S., it is our job as Mom's to worry so I totally understand you. My Daughter is also very small and has always has been. She is one year behind in size, for example at 3.5 she wears a size 2T. I had a normal pregnancy and she is health, just small. I am also only about 5.1" and my husband 5.9". Our Doctor talked about growth hormones but he have not decided. My Daughter is also a picky eater so that makes it harder for me. Keep up the good work!!

My 1st was a roly poly butter ball, cuddly as a duckling! My 2nd is fit and trim. Both are energetic and healthy, thank God! You need to accept her as she is or she may develop a complex later in life. Don't put her through any more tests. If the DR.s say she is healthy and she has hit her milestones, relax, enjoy her as she is. Make sure she has access to lots and lots of healthy foods, a wide variety, and for heavens sake - stop talking about her weight in front of her. Only positive, affirming things. YOU are petite, so is she! Don't mean to be harsh, but with so much attention paid to this issue she is bound to think something is wrong with her! She may grow up to be America's Next Top Model! LOL!

I had twins and they were small at birth (5 lbs and 5.5 lbs). By one year my son was about 18 lbs and my daughter 16.5. They were just small kids for a few years. Maybe 15% in height and weight so they did look proportional.

As for diet--I would try whole milk yogurt daily. It is great for their systems if you buy the kind with live bacteria and has protein and fat. I would stir almond butter into my kids' vanilla yogurt and that pumped up the fat and protein even more. They loved it. Don't rely on milk--just get her eating as many real big people foods as you can. Nut butters (obviously not pb at 13 months) are great on toast as well. My daughter loved hummus at that age too. Mostly--I wouldn't worry--some kids are just small.

Hi S.- I too had/have a tiny little girl...About 20% for height....Not on the charts for weight...It was very noticable for us about 9 months...She was 12 lbs 11 oz... Her birth weight of 5 lbs. 12 oz...She had several blood/urine/stool tests, and nothing showed up...Developementally she was/is right on...She was nearly 2 yrs. old before she weighed enough to put her forward facing in the car seat...She is 3 now and still very light, 25 lbs...When she was 12 months and could have milk products we gave her fruit flavored Greek-style yogurt (available @ Trader Joes if you live by one)...She LOVED it...Choc. Pudding...Ice cream...You may want to try mixing whole milk w/cream too...My daughter loved it all and eats very healthy today..(It didn't ruin her.. LOL)Good Luck...don't worry too much...There is a lot of info. on the internet, it can be a bit scary and overwhelming...

Hay S., I just want you to know you are not alone :) there are other little ones out there!! My little girl was small forever and has still not cought up.. She was born at 39 weeks 7lbs 8oz, but that is as close to normal as she has ever been.. she was weighing in at 27lbs at 3 age and is 10 years old now and is 53 lbs dripping wet!! She is in the 4th grade and the size of an average 2nd grader.. We have also had every test done on her and everything checks out ok.. they say she is just small.. so I guess my only advise to you would be love her lots and try to help her feel confortable with who she is :) and learn how to sew!! Nothing EVER fits our little ladies!!!

Hello,

I am a mother of four daughters. I have never had IUGR but I do want to tell you not to worry.
My third daughter was also very small. Her clothing size was normally her age or smaller, when she was 1yea she wore 12 months, 2years she wore 2T, etc.
She is now 20 years old and still tiny, 5'2"and wears size zero.
As long as she is hitting all the other milestones try not to worry, some children are just meant to be small.

M.

My daughter was only 13 pounds at a year old, she was suppose to be premature and I was on bed rest for the last 3 months and ended up going 2 1/2 weeks overdue and had to get induced but after 24 hrs she was born weighing 7 lb 13 oz. She was always the smallest and in 3rd grade had a growth spurt and today at 14 she weighs 95 pounds and 5 feet tall. My 20 year old who was always tall and weigh more then peers is also only 5 feet and weighs 105-110. I watch a girl who will be 5 and is the size of my 2 & 3 year olds but her parents are small. So as long as all the test come back good enjoy your daughter and your piece of mind that she is a healthy tiny little girl.

I am a grandmother with a daughter who has 2 very small children. Her firstborn more so than the second. At a little over a year he too was subjected to a battery of tests which all show he is normal in everyway except weight and height. He is going to be four in September and is just now fitting in 2 year old clothes. He is only 35 inches and his weighs a mean 22 pounds.

My daughter has tried everything to get this child to eat more. The doctors told her that he seems healthy, not to worry too much. Add a little fat in with what he eats in the form of butter. Give whole milk as opposed to low fat. Less snacking, less juice (juice takes away the appitite). Lots of fruits and veges (he loves fruits and veges).

As the grandma, I, of course worry, but God has made him the way he is. Also, they will test his hormone levels when he turns four just to make sure they are up to par. If not, we will consider hormone therapy. Enjoy your little one!!!

My Daughter has been underweight since birth as well. She was 4 lbs 11 oz at full term (c-section) 9 1/2 inches long! She was itty bitty! Now at 8 years old going into 3rd grade she is a whopping 50 lbs! LOL! She is small and that’s just that. She eats well (always has) and is extremely athletic. Don't stress yourself out, as long as you are feeding her a proper diet and keeping her active and the doctors say she is healthy....then she is FINE! There are no tricks to getting her to gain some weight besides making sure healthy snacks are readily available and keeping up with vitamins. It sounds like you are doing great! Have faith in yourself and enjoy your baby she too will grow!! :0)

Peace~Love~Light
V.

S.,

My son who is now 20 months old is allergic to dairy and soy proteins (he was breastfed until he self weaned at 17 months also). I add a bit of olive oil to any food I can to boost the calories a bit. He will also eat hummus and guacamole and those are great sources of good fats.

:-)T.

mine's petite too and was 13lbs at 13 months, born at 37 1/2 weeks, 5lbs. Now she's 2 and weighs just under 22 pounds, she's very petite and i understand your worries but try to let them go (i know easier said than done) since she's hitting the milestones. She's always going to be small as a young child and that's ok. i can tell you that the more we try to get her to eat the less she eats so we try not to pressure her. we pour olive oil on the vegies, butter on the bread and lots of whole yogurt, leave snacks out in an ice cube tray (gimmicks work great) so she can eat when she is hungry, cuz we found if we missed that window then she just wouldn't eat later as her hunger seems to last for moments. we rotate using tooth picks and other fun ways of eating, like i said gimmicks are good. good luck and seriously don't let the worry take over, she will eat when she's hungry, just not as much as you hope.