My son just had his 18-month vaccinations and check, and his weight is literally off the charts! At 18 months old he is 14.1kg! His height is just above average - I knew he was a little chunky but didn’t realise he actually overweight for his age. He doesn’t look ‘fat’, he is well-proportioned, but I want to make sure I am doing right by his health.
He is very active, and has a very good appetite - has always been a good eater. I do think he can eat too much at times and I always try to limit him, but when dad or nanny is around they spoil him with food, which frustrates me.
I guess my question is, what does a healthy diet for a toddler look like? I don’t really know portion sizes or how often they should eat - he would honestly eat all day if I fed him, so I don’t think I should rely on him to tell me when he’s hungry. But he has a healthy diet - he loves fruit, and I try to save any fruit bars or pouches as a treat.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Chunky toddler help!
Chunky toddler help!
Posted in:
Baby & Toddler
10 Replies
At 18 months my son was 14kgs and 88cm. He was chubby but definitely not fat and he did not look overweight. He ate healthy meals and was active. I was worried too but it was unnecessary worry because hes now 5 and such a tall skiinny lanky boy!
Speak to your maternal health nurse for advise but do not over think it. It sounds like your doing everything right!
I had a look in my maternal health book and an 18 month old weighing 14kgs is only the tiniest bit above the 98th percentile. And considering hes taller than average that will come into account. Don't stress. Just keep doing what your doing. He has lots of growing to do and they stretch out.
It's not off the charts at all! It's at the higher end yes but I wouldn't stress about it.
Don't restrict anything! He's still a baby! He is fine. Worry about this kind of thing when he's older.
They graze, so eating a lot of the time is normal. That's why it's important to give them things that are healthy and that they can work on, like rusks of hard biscuits, meat on a bone, frozen fruit (large pieces).
Lots of fruit and veggies. Raw, boiled and cut in big chunks or blend and freeze into icy poles. Don't puree and pour it into him.
My 15 month son is 14.5kg and 91cm tall. I’ve been told over and over that’s he’s too big or too heavy, yet he appears slim and is very tall obviously. I take it with a grain of salt.
Breakfast is usually an omelette and a banana, snack yoghurt a few hours after. Lunch a toasted sandwich, grapes, cheese, blueberries. Biscuits for snack afterwards. Dinner and a bottle before bed. Usually has something in his hand to eat though!
My daughter was a similar weight at that age - she grew tall and heavy as a baby (over 9kg at 6mo) and toddler after being born pretty well smack bang in the 50th percentile, and ate like there was no tomorrow. No one (i.e. medical) ever mentioned that she was too heavy or anything. Now she's a healthy, tallish, well-proportioned 7.5yo with lots of energy.
Make sure his diet is full of veggies, fruit, protein and grains, include some dairy products, cheese, yoghurt etc. They will graze rather than eat big meals because they're on the move constantly and their brains are growing always.
He could be gearing up for a growth spurt.. just make sure the food is always healthy and don't worry about it for now. He's a toddler. They have adorable baby fat.
If he is tracking along the same percentile and his height is in proportion, don’t stress. My eldest was always near the top of the chart but was always in proportion. He’s now nearly 14 and still gets a bit chubby just before he shoots up again. My youngest on the other hand, was off the bottom of the chart as a baby due to health issues that make it hard for him to gain weight. At nearly 12 he is still hovering near the bottom of the chart but his height and weight are in proportion, and he has been tracking along the same percentile for four or five years. His dietitian once told me that as long as he didn’t have a huge drop in weight (and I would assume it would work the same for increase in weight) then not to worry. If there was a big difference from the percentile he’s tracking along then there may be something happening that’s of concern. Otherwise try not to stress and enjoy your little one 🙂
My Nephew is almost 9month old and he weighs a bit over 12 kgs. He was born 3 weeks early at 2.34kg.
My bub is 13months old and he only weighs 9kgs. He was born at 40+3 weeks at 3.34kgs. My baby has continued to follow his curvre on the charts. He is still breastfeeding on demand, has 3 meals plus 2 snacks but he is just a very active boy. Only stops when he is sleeping.
All babies/children grow differently. Unless the Drs are concerned I wouldn't worry and keep doing what you are doing