Both of my little ones were petite, barely registering on the growth charts—like tiny, bite-sized nuggets. I affectionately referred to them as my “little birds,” with their long, slender limbs resembling those of chicks, rather than the typical roly-poly babies with chubby cheeks and dimpled thighs. They were lean and energetic, and while I was grateful for the manageable 6-pound deliveries, I quickly found myself preoccupied with ensuring they were gaining weight.
Living at a high altitude, I found some comfort in knowing many babies in our area are on the smaller side. At story time at the library, I noticed most toddlers had skinny legs, their diapers and pants often slipping down as they waddled about. They all tend to catch up by school age, leaving me puzzled as to why the infants appear so tiny. One theory suggests they expend so much energy acclimating to the thinner air that they simply don’t gain weight. If only that worked for me!
Through the journey of raising small children, I’ve discovered several essential truths:
- Expect to be questioned about their feeding. Yes, I feed them! I spend my days contemplating meal options. Even if a pediatrician reassures me they’re on a healthy growth path, I still fret about getting them to pack on some extra pounds.
- I constantly worry about the quality of my breast milk. I’d often think, “Is it just water?” This leads to justifying indulgent treats, believing that dessert and bacon must enhance my milk’s richness.
- You can wear those little ones until they head off to college. Babywearing can be a game changer.
- To help them gain weight, I’ve resorted to adding olive oil to their oatmeal and sneaking avocados, bananas, and cheese into every meal. I even memorized calorie counts for everything, and they’ve become quite familiar with full-fat ice cream.
- You will celebrate when they finally make it onto the growth chart. I remember when my son reached the second percentile for weight at nearly 2 years old—it was a monumental occasion that brought tears to my eyes.
- Finding clothes that fit will be a constant challenge. At 10, my son finally wears clothes that correspond to his age, which had never been the case before. It always seemed like other kids were giants in comparison.
- They will surprise you by becoming mobile much earlier than expected. My kids were off and running by 9 months, with no extra weight to hold them back, leading to plenty of adventures and a spike in my stress levels.
- Your mother will likely fret more than you do. My mom, a passionate feeder, wanted them to be chubby and healthy, and her worries often transferred to me.
- You’ll gaze in admiration at the adorable rolls on other babies. I remember seeing a friend’s baby with fat creases on her arms—I was in awe. How does one even manage bath time with all those folds?
- You’ll find yourself limited to brands of pants with cinch tabs for the waist.
- Their swimwear will last for years. My daughter is still sporting a 2T swimsuit bottom and she’s about to turn 6—true story!
- Be prepared for your child to get annoyed when strangers misjudge their age. This can make outings a bit awkward.
- When they fall ill and lose their appetite, it will be incredibly stressful. Those days are panic-inducing since they can’t afford to lose any of the weight I worked so hard to help them gain.
- Teaching a child with minimal body fat to swim can be a challenge; they tend to sink. My daughter has left many swim instructors puzzled.
- Their thin-arm hugs are the best, fitting perfectly in your lap for what feels like an eternity.
If you’re parenting a small baby or toddler, rest assured that the unsolicited comments will eventually fade. They will grow, and as they do, the focus on weight will diminish. You’ll start to relax about their caloric intake and instead worry about their aversion to anything green.
I’m confident they’ll master swimming eventually—still waiting to see that one!
For more insights and stories on parenting, check out our blog on home insemination.
Summary
Raising a small child can be filled with unique challenges and concerns, from weight gain to fitting clothes. Parents often find themselves constantly worrying about their child’s growth while navigating unsolicited advice from others. Despite the struggles, there are many joyful moments, from watching them grow and explore to celebrating small milestones. Over time, parents learn to relax about their child’s growth and focus on the joys of parenting.