should i fatten them up?

My boys are almost 16 months and they weigh 22pounds.

does that sound average? i know they aren't big babies, but do you think i should fatten them up? they eat really health, plenty of carbs, cheese etc but they are VERY active, so they just burn it off. any ideas??

i will take them to a dietician but i wanted your opinions as well

 

Marcus, my child who eats better and more was about that at 16 months. He was 20lb 3 oz at one year. Now at almost 5 is is about 40 lbs. His brother, not the greatest eater out weighs him by almost 10 lbs at this point. I would say keep what you are doing, it sounds like they are doing fine!

 

Unless your pedi suggests extra calories, I'd keep them on the same diet they are on. My girls are on the smaller side but pedi said they are doing just fine.

 

They sound like they are doing just fine to me. As long as they are consistent on their growth curve and your pedi is not worried...then, I woouldn't worry about it. But, you can always ask your dr.

 

My boys were full term and big at birth. At 20 months, they were only 24 and 27 pounds. They are really tall though -- Dr. says long and lean and isn't worried at all. I wouldn't worry -- sounds like they are doing great. Jackson eats the most and he is my smaller one (better metabolism I think).

Mendy

 

That sounds fine. Nicole and Danielle didn't get to 22 lbs until after 2 years old. They were about 21 lbs at their 2 year appt. We haven't gone to their 3 year appt but we doubt they are going to be more than 25 lbs at 3 years old. Their pedi is fine with it. So each child is different and they are growing properly and your pedi isn't concerned keep up the same as you've been doing.

 

I agree, their weights sound fine. My DD1 was only 22 pound at 2 yo. Keep doing what you're doing.

 

They're bigger than my boys and we're not "fattening them up". Mine (who were full term and over 6 pounds at birth) reached 20 pounds, but just barely, at 15 months. They were 21 and a few ounces at 18 months which keeps them solidly on the 3rd percentile line. It's normal for them to slow on their weight gain at this point. And since they're still gaining height at a good clip, they may appear to be quite thin. But, unless they are falling off of their growth curve, there is no reason to worry. Being slender is not a problem; failing to grow is.

On a side note, mine eat like little piggies. Short of feeding them sticks of butter or tying them down so they can't run about, I don't think I could fatten them up if I wanted to. Their intake matches their energy output. You can tell just by looking at their build that they weren't meant to be linebackers. Running backs or kickers, perhaps.

 

No, I think it's a myth that you need fat babies!! If your pedi thinks they are fine, then leave them and just keep on doing a great job!

 

If your ped. is not concerned I wouldn't be either. Emilie is also on the smaller side, at 12 months she was 16lbs. 13 oz. and she has never been on the charts. Ped. has never been concerned as she eats fine (actually eats more than Trevor) and is healthy and happy.

I am curious to see how much they both weigh though next week at their 15 month appt.

 

Nope, unless the ped expresses concern there is no reason to fatten them up. If you give me their height I'll calculate their BMI percentile and can tell you if they are underweight.

By "fattening them up" at this early age, without health concerns, you put them at risk for being overweight as they get older.

 

My girls are almost 2 and a half and Mackenzie is only 28 pounds and Peyton is about 29 (she was 32 but lost a lot of weight being sick).

 

As pp said unless they are not a good growth curve(flat lining or dropping) I'd continue as normal that said, My Jessy is 22 lbs at 18 months and is just on the growth curve so 22 lbs at 16 months sounds good to me. You don't want to feed them empty calories any way, each food should have a purpose (vitamins, protien, calcium, etc.).

 

my DD has not made the growth chart yet either - last appt (10.5 mos) she was 15 lb 6 oz - but she keeps to her own growth curve and is healthy, happy and VERY active - Ped's not concerned...

 

I do try to "fatten" my guys up a bit. They will be two in a week and they weigh 25 lbs. By fattening them up though, I try to do it in a healthy way. For example, they get a little extra cheese on stuff, etc.