My son will be 6 in January and since starting school this year, I had noticed that he seems significantly smaller then most of the kids in kindy. I'm talking like a full head shorter. His height was never really much of a concern to me up until so many people started commenting on it. I'd constantly get other mums asking 'when he's turning 5' (he was already 5 when he started) and the 'oh he's so cute and tiny' remarks. He also does after school sports and he's pretty much the smallest in the group of children his age. Tonight really bothered me when someone mentioned that their 3 year old is the same height as my son. I just vaguely measured him (with a damn ruler while he was sleeping.. I'm nuts I know) and he's 112cm. Just checked and he's in the 50th percentile. Been reading up on some growth conditions and have honestly worried myself sick. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and seeked medical advice? So apparently a paediatric endocrinologist can offer some help which I'll be getting a referral for most likely tomorrow morning with the way I'm feeling. Also read that Human Growth Hormone can be given in certain cases. What's haunting me is when I was discharged from hospital when he was born, the dr noticed one testical had not fully descended. Long story short he ended up having surgery at the age of 4 as the issue did not correct itself. Now I'm thinking that was a telltale sign of a physical developmental issue that went unnoticed. I honestly feel like crying. People can be so cruel and to think my son has potential years of criticism and bullying ahead due to his size makes me feel physically ill. Open to any words of wisdom to this helpless mamma ?
13 Replies
You are over thinking it. You have gotten yourself all messed up and upset over his height. I am short in fact my entire family is short. Around 149cms for females and not much taller for the blokes. We are not psychology damaged for being short! We are doing great thanks. No teasing for being short other than some gentle ribbing. It sounds like you've taken people's comments a little too personally.
As far as racing off to the doctor, you need to take into account your families genetic history. If you are all short then you are going to have short kids. That's just the way it works. Sometimes there is a throw back or a random short person but all in all that's life and if being short is the big thing you have to worry about then you are doing well!
Yes medications can be taken, but they come with serious side effects and only make you grow as tall as you were ever going to be. Your kid will still be short eventually.
My advice get off of doctor Google. That shit will just scare the hell out if you for no good reason. Ask your GP for a referral to a peadiatrician for a full check up. It's highly unlikely there is anything wrong with your son other than he is short. But it will put your mind to rest.
If he's in the 50th percentile then he's completely average. Also keep in mind that he is 5. My youngest brother was always the smallest, skinniest kid in his year level. When he hit puberty he just kept growing and is now the tallest, over 6ft, and broadest in our family (2 other boys and me). Another brother was always the biggest kid in his year level and then everyone else hit puberty and shot up and he grew but just not as much and is a pretty average height for our family. I also have a 4 year old cousin that is the same size as the average 7 year old.. Yes, if you're concerned go to the gp but I think you're taking people's comments way to personally. And in the nicest possible way, get off damn dr Google!
I know guys that are just short, nothing wrong with them, they don't get picked on. They're just really short. One was the shortest guy at school 5 years running. He grew a foot after leaving highschool and is probably still the shortest guy I've ever met. He's got a great personality with a fantastic girlfriend. He was just a late bloomer. You can always get a referral to a paediatrician if you are super worried. Got to ask though. How tall are you and his dad? His dad's family mum n dad etc could he just have little genes?
My youngest brother was tiny during primary school. He was always the shortest in the class. By the time he was in high school he had a major growth spurt and is now almost 6". I wouldn't be too worried about it.
Hi darl, I'm a dietitian. 50th percentile is completely normal. What isn't normal is massive decreases in centile as he gets older eg. Started at 97th centile through to 2 yrs of age, then decreased steadily to 50th centile, which indicates a slow down in growth. If you are worried, speak to the GP, but I have a feeling he is perfectly normal xx
Aww you poor thing! 112cm for a 5 (almost 6 year old) is fine! He's just a wee thing for now. He will grow! I was the shortest in my class up until high school then I grew and I'm completely average height!
Plus one of my close friends (male) is actually shorter than me and I tell you, he is soooo popular with the ladies and has so many friends it's not even funny! So even if your son is short it doesn't even matter! He's perfect the way he is. ?
I just measured my four almost five year old whose always one of the smallest in the class/ group. 102cm. So i can imagine how you feel hes small. Its just who he is.
I went to school with a boy who was very tiny. Nobody bullied him. Everybody knew hin he was kind of everyones sweetheart, popular kid.
My son in 6, in pre and is at least a head smaller than most of the kids of similar age. He is quite lean built, active and his height has never been a concern when plotted on the graph. Always slightly under 50 but in proportion to his weight and growth has always plotted along fine. It's normal for kids to be different heights. My youngest son's testes have not yet descended and he is above average for height. Some people talk without thinking that their comments can be a bit harmful to others. I'm sure your son is just fine, especially if he plotting on 50 percentile. brush off the negative comments :)
My son was the shortest or 2nd shortest boy throughout primary school. He was also very slight. I was very worried he was going to be super short. He is now 16 and is about 172cm and still growing :) He now also has wide broad shoulders. When he was younger I took him to the dr about being so small & they said they could give him growth hormones but after looking into it I decided it wasn't worth the potential side affects. I included my son in the decision too. The only time his height ever bothered him when he was younger was when he couldn't go on some theme park rides. I should mention my son was in the bottom 20 percentile on the growth charts.
Oh love. You need to stop over thinking it! Stop googling NOW, google in not your friend right now, its making you over-catastrophize the fact your kid is the shortest in the class.
My youngest brother was always the littlest in his class by far! Someone seems to have to be. Hes now pretty much average height for his age. He didn't stay tiny forever. There was nothing wrong with him. He was just simply shorter than the other kids.
My 3 year old is the opposite and is the biggest kid in his preschool group even though he is the youngest....hes as tall as some of the kids in my older son's grade prep/one class and they are 5 and 6. Hey hes even catching up to his almost 7 year old brother!
People comment all the time on his height. You just ignore the annouing comments but I dont ever feel hes being criticized. Parents are just making conversation like saying 'oh wow his eyes are so blue' or 'she has such curly hair!' They probably generally just think your son is adorably little and cute. :)
My daughter is 6 in February, she's one of the oldest in her class at school and is also at least a head shorter than most of the kids. She's only on the 20th percentile for height. She is perfectly healthy otherwise. My friends son has just turned 3 and is the same height lol. Don't stress, people are all different shapes and sizes.
I think you have way over stressed yourself for nothing all kids grow at different levels i was always the tallest in my classes until i reached high school i just stopped growing where as my best friend growing up was always tiny then all of a sudden she just shot up and now she is pretty average in hight also my hubby was tiny until he turned 14 he finally started growing more...you shouldnt be taking what other people say to heart and you certainly shouldnt google medical things if your already freaking out im sure your son is perfectly fine and your dr will most prob tell you the same thing
I have 3 boys who are 6 4 and 3 there is only 20cm difference between them and my 4 and 6 year old are nearly the same height i wouldnt worry i am only 152 but my partner is 210 its pretty normal for boys to grow at different paces my brother was shorter than me till he was 16 hes now 19 and taller than my patner