Should my child still be so little compared to other kids her age?

Jade - posted on 02/25/2013

Hey,

I would love to hear how you daughter is in comparison to her peers now.
I have a nine year old girl born 6 weeks early who has never struggled with size.
I also have a 5 year old boy who was born 9 weeks early who is tiny.... He seems tired and has tummy pain often. He used to be ok in comparison with other kids.... But I'm starting to worry.
I have a 3 year old little girl who was born 13 weeks early. She also has a heart condition.... So her heart has caused her to be a little smaller than other kids...she has bowel issues too, so swings between bloating and diareha and all sorts.
Doctors have told me oftern babies are born early because of underlying health issues with the baby.

Did your daughter catch up?
Was she ever diagnosed with heart / bowel issues?

It's so true that when you finally get your premmie home from hospital, the journey has only just begun!
I'm taking my boy down to our paediatrician in the hopes he can help figure out what's going on.

Natalie - posted on 02/16/2009

My first son was born at 28 weeks and weighed 1 lb. 14 oz.  He is now 7 years old, and he is still very small.  Like you, I was very concerned about his size for a long time.  Doctors weren't ever really worried about his size, and I questioned whether they were right or not.  I have realized though, after having three more children, that all kids come in different packages, and that despite their beginnings, some kids are just small.  My two middle children are average sized, but my 20 month old is still quite small.  I think if you have a trustworthy pediatrician, and he/she isn't worried about it, I wouldn't worry about your daughter's size too much.  I grew up as a small child, and I am still a very small adult, and I don't think my small stature hindered me too much.

Missy - posted on 02/16/2009

Also, just because she's small doesn't mean she'll break.  My daughter is small and fiesty.  She's so strong that she even shocked her doctor with her strength (he litterally had to wrestle his pen back and it was a real struggle).  My 27 month old daughter is sleeping next to me in a Christmas outfit that says "my first Christmas" when it was her third Christmas because she's wearing 12 month size clothes.   She may one day be tall and not so skinny, or she may be short and skinny like she is now.   Also, what the kids look like as young children doesn't mean much come teenagehood/adulthood. 

Staci - posted on 02/16/2009

Try not to get to discouraged, my daughter is almost 2 and still small but her doctor said that some kids are late bloomers and as long as she is walking and starting to talk and all the other milestones then she will eventually catch up and as one of the other moms said she may be smaller because of genes not being a preemie. I know it's hard not to compare, my niece is 2 weeks younger than my daughter and much taller and heavier and sometimes I wonder if even two more weeks would have changed anything with my daughter but you gotta stay positive and just be thankful that she's healthy. That's what I try to remember every day.

Lynda - posted on 02/15/2009

Hi.  I have 2 sons, a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old.  They were both born at 35 1/2 weeks.  My 5 yrs old weighs 46 lbs and my 3 yr old weighs 40 lbs.  The oldest has taken after his father who was very skinny as a child, but sprouted once he got into his teens and my youngest has taken after my side (we are Polish and Plump...and proud of it!).  Children grow at different rates and I hate that the Medical Profession has caused parents for many years to stress over their children because they don't meet their standards!  I had a cousin who was the smallest kid in his age group in every way, weight, height, etc.  Once he turned 13 he sprouted and now he is one of the tallest people I know...over 6 feet and he was a full term baby.  Please don't fret about it!  She just may be, like some of the other moms mentioned, a slow grower. 

Jessica - posted on 02/13/2009

I'm kind of there with you. My daughter was born 9 1/2 weeks early, and was 1 lb 15 oz. She is 5 now, and there is nothing to her...at all. She is very tall for her age, I'll give her that. But she weighs only 32 lbs! Her teachers sent home a note the other day, inquiring as to how much she eats on a daily basis. Apparently they thought I was starving my kid! She's just very frail and fragile, and I'm sure it has alot to do with her prematurity. Keep in mind, all kids grow at different rates. She's probably going to suddenly sprout overnight, before you know what happened!

Danyelle - posted on 02/13/2009

I have three children who were born a full trimester early and all of them are still very small for their age.  My seven year old twins are only 32 & 36 lbs.  and my 23 month old is 20.5lbs.  They all fall at or below the 2nd percentile on the growth charts.  My pediatrician has told me that preemies never build subcutaneous fat.  This is perfectly normal and as long as they are eating a healthy diet is not a concern.   She and many other doctors have suggested that it is ideal to add carnation instant breakfast to whole milk at least once a day for extra nutrients, calories and protein.  It is important to only see that your child continues to follow their own growth curve on the chart.  Every child is different depending on birth, genetics, and general health.  If you see your child as being healthy for what you know of your child, then do not worry.   If you question it, always ask your pediatrician.  For the kids who make fun..... and there are many , I know..... remember that jelousy is an issue... and so is ignorance.  Kids and parents do not always have the intellegence to understand that differences is what makes us all unique and special!  Be your childs biggest advocate in educating others when possible or appropriate.  One of the best things about having small children is that they grow out of clothes much slower, and you can always get the younger child discounts at public places.  Everyone always thinks our 23 mo. old is an early walking and talking 1 year old..... makes us laugh!  And our 7 year old twins get to eat at the 4 year old price at the Chinese buffet.... no one ever questions their age!

Hayley - posted on 02/13/2009

my daughter is 2 and a half and she has just gone into 12 - 18 month clothes, just becaus she is small doesnt mean she is different or has a problem, every child is different

Samantha - posted on 01/30/2009

i am the same. i have teins now ten month and there under de3veloped well i think, they have no teeth dont sit/crawl, mind they were 10half weeks early. my sis had a prem she was tiny now she bigger than most lol. sam

Missy - posted on 01/30/2009

Your daughter is just small.  Some kids are small.  My youngest sister was very small (though 9 pounds at birth) until she was  a teenager.  She was about 14 years old before she grew and then BAM!  she grew and grew.  She's now almost 6 feet tall.  Kids come in all sizes.  I'm sorry that kids pick on your daughter.  That's just awful.  My daughter is small too.  She can fit into 6/9 month clothes and she is 2.   Now if your daughter growth completely stops you would have something to worry about, but if she is growing the same way she always has she really is probably fine.

Rosalie - posted on 01/30/2009

Quoting Hannah:

All children develop at their own rate. My friends boy is 3 years and has only just started walking. my girl was 5 weeks early and really small for the first few years. She is now nine and fine. i no its hard not to compare but really try not to. if she has any other development delays then ask for a second opinion but if its just size it should be ok. hope this helps a little. Hannah 

I agree with Hannah, all children develop at their own rate. My oldest is 9 years old now, she was born at 30 weeks weighing 2lbs 11oz and 14 1/2 inches. She's a very smart girl and is on that same level as other kids her age. She is still small for her age though, but the doctors say she's fine. My 5 year old is probably 7 inches shorter than her and they are very close in wearing the same size clothes. Like Hannah said if it's just size she should be okay, but it she has any other development delays ask for a second opinion.

Rosalie

Hannah - posted on 01/30/2009

All children develop at their own rate. My friends boy is 3 years and has only just started walking. my girl was 5 weeks early and really small for the first few years. She is now nine and fine. i no its hard not to compare but really try not to. if she has any other development delays then ask for a second opinion but if its just size it should be ok. hope this helps a little. Hannah 

Nicole - posted on 01/30/2009

Kids develop and grow at varying ages.  As long as your daughter is meeting her own curve she is fine.  When your child is a preemie, adjustments for age are only given until age 2.  Your daughter may or may not catch up... a lot of it depends on your genes?  Were you or your the father small for their age?  Etc.  Kids develop at their own pace... it's hard not to compare, but you just have to try your best and trust your instincts.  :)

Holly - posted on 01/30/2009

I am in the same boat. My daughter was born six and a half weeks early at 4.7 So not too bad at all. Now though she is nearly two, in April. She weighs in at 19.6 pounds and is just now starting to fit in twelve months clothing. The doctors dismiss my concerns as she is walking and talking and doing the things she should be doing but not one in my family is small like her. My other two children were in the 90th percentile for height and she is under the third percentile. She has actually dropped since her last appt. when she was under the fifth. I keep hearing that eventually they catch up, but when. I am sorry I really was not any help but it kind of helps to vent a little.

Valerie - posted on 01/28/2009

I had a hospital bedrest roommate who ended up having a healthy full-term baby about 10 days after my twins were born a month premature. Her baby was over 7 lbs at birth, my twins were 5 lbs and 3 lbs 15 oz. At 17 months (actual age) for all three babies, hers has just reached 18 lbs and my preemie twins are over 24 lbs.

She has two older children who were also slow growers (a 4 year old - 28 lbs and and a 5 year old - 32 lbs). Her husband is 6' and is barely 130 lbs. There is a family history.

I know that it is hard not to compare our children with others the same age. LOL I compare the twins with each other all the time.

Have you discussed your concerns with your pediatrician?

Ps. my cousin, as a child, was also a slow grower - it wasn't until her late teens that she finally caught up with her peers.