Is my daughter too small for her age?

Erin - posted on 06/27/2012

we have petite kids too. They were both premature, but healthy. Our son is 6 and weighs around 36 lbs, our daughter is almost three and weighs 24 lbs. Ive met other parents that have petite kids too. Our doctor has never shown concern for their weights. We once saw a pediatrician for our daughter and he commented on maybe doing blood work for our son. I told him how premature he was and he was like" wow! no nevermind, he's doing good!"

Ellena - posted on 06/25/2012

My child also is a little on the small size too, but she is a very active, healthy child who loves to eat too!!! When people comment, I find it rude, because if you feel it necessary to comment on how small you think my child is, then I get to comment on how LARGE your's is, right? My daughter doesn't seem small to me until she is along with 5 year olds who are much taller. In the long run, she will be so happy to look great in everything!

Courtney - posted on 02/14/2010

every child is different... so long as she is healthy, and happy then thats all that matters. you might find that she will suddenly shoot up and out at a later stage, but for right now if the doc says shes fine, and shes happy, just go with the flow... try doing a height chart on a door frame or somewhere you can just mark her off each month or two.

Christine - posted on 02/14/2010

my son is 4 yrs old, and only weighs 27 lbs, he is 36 inches tall. i have been told that he is on the smallest side of the normal scale. my son was born 10 wks early and was only 3 lbs when he was born so he started out small. the doctors say that he is good all so and not to worry about it.

Debbie - posted on 02/14/2010

My eldest daughter Ruby has always been petite, but fit and healthy. However, she has always had the appetite of a bird, I swear she runs on fresh air as she has boundless energy! At 5 1/2 she weighs 34 pounds - her two year old sister weighs 30pounds! As long as the doctor is happy then don't worry good things come in small packages.

Nancy - posted on 02/13/2010

I have the exact same situation with my 4 year old daughter. My doctor says she's just going to be petite and that's fine.

Tanya - posted on 02/13/2010

My twins boys were born 3 months early weighing 2lbs 4.5oz and 2lbs 13oz. They are now almost 10 years old and are just shy of 4 ft tall and wegih 46 & 50 lbs. They are in grade 4 and just a bit bigger then their kindergarten buddies. They started small and so far stayed small and as healthy as can be :D. Nothing wrong with being small im only 5'5 and 98 pounds.

Teresa - posted on 02/13/2010

I feel so much better about the health of my daughter now. It's always good to hear from other moms worrying about the same issues with their kids. My daughter is almost 6 and weighs 38 pounds. you can see every bone in her spine. shes not a big eater all the time but the doc has never said anyhting. she does seem to have a problem with always feeling like she needs to vomit. she gags very easily and doesn't like things up around her neck. Has anyone heard of this? The doc says she has anxiety but she doesn't seem anxious.

Teresa - posted on 02/13/2010

I feel so much better about the health of my daughter now. It's always good to hear from other moms worrying about the same issues with their kids. My daughter is almost 6 and weighs 38 pounds. you can see every bone in her spine. shes not a big eater all the time but the doc has never said anyhting. she does seem to have a problem with always feeling like she needs to vomit. she gags very easily and doesn't like things up around her neck. Has anyone heard of this? The doc says she has anxiety but she doesn't seem anxious.

Anita - posted on 02/13/2010

3 of the 4 of my children are only 25th percentile. You can't make other people respect them as their actual age, but you can reassure them that they are just fine the way they are.

Renee - posted on 02/13/2010

I dont think you should go by other kids ,unless they are in your or your husbands family for example my son's head when he was born was 17 inches compared to other kids that is massive but my husband was also born with a big head and is just fine so I think if it runs in the family dont worry about it... but my little girl is 2 and she is 31 lbs and 37 inches tall so

Paula - posted on 02/13/2010

I agree with the general consensus. My 8 year old is the size of a 6 year old (and even one Doctor told me to feed her more - she's eats like a horse!!). Genetics are her problem - myself and my husband are both small. But she's healthy and happy and thats all that matters!

Dee - posted on 02/13/2010

Kathy, good morning, hope all is well? my granddaughters are peanuts, literally. They are 3, on 2/22 and weigh 23 and 2. on 4/18, and weighs 20 lbs. Did our peds ever suggest Pediasure for calories, or carnantion instant breakfast. If you happen to be on WIC, they will approve the pediasure, it's really expensive, simply with a doctors note. Just a few suggestion. Is the ped using a growth chart. We had to take Mariah, 3 yr old, to an endochronologist, just as a precaution. Just a few suggestions, hope they help

Tracy - posted on 02/13/2010

my son went to school at almost 6 weighing 33lbs he is still really small and at almost 10 he now weighs 48lb. I just think that your daughter is just naturally small especially if she is other wise healthy, as is my son.

Julie - posted on 02/12/2010

I have a tiny mighty girl also. She's 11, but looks like she's about 8. She's totally healthy, doctors aren't concerned at all, so I'm not either. Neither I nor her Dad are very tall people, so it makes sense. If your pediatrician is not worried, I wouldn't worry about it. As she gets older people will underestimate her, but as soon as she opens her mouth, they'll realize their mistake. For the most part, she's really comfortable with her size. Every now and then it makes her mad when she can't do something that other kids can do, but mostly she likes it.

Natasha - posted on 02/12/2010

my oldest son was 11 at the time and only weighed 42lbs.(he also ate well )so his dr put him on pedisure to help with his growth, that didn't help so she now has him on a growth hormone(NOT steroids) shot 6 times a week and he is now 12 and weighs 62 lbs. the dr. had him get a MRI and found out that his paturatairy gland wasn't growing right he went from a size 6-7 up to a 9-10 you might want to get 2nd oppion from a dr. that dosn't know her growth history and see if that helps thats how we found out actually we went through about 4 ourselves and we liked the third so we are still with her! your lil girl will probally hit a growth spurt also that's what happened to my youngest he was almost 5 and everybody thought he was 2yrs. old

Dawn - posted on 02/12/2010

I wouldn't worry my daughter will be six in March. She is 41in's tall and 32lb's. She love's to eat and is very active. She will just be a tiny girl.

Martina - posted on 02/12/2010

My 3 year old is very small for her age as well. Don't worry about her size. I think that sometimes people think of being short as a disease or some problem. I always say Good things come in small packages. When she is full grown the Doctor said she would be just under 5 ft. That is fine. Her great grandmother on my side was under 5 ft and her grandmother and aunts on my husbands side are all 5 foot or under.What they lack in height they make up for in personality. :)

Heidi - posted on 02/12/2010

I have a 7 year old who is the size of a normal 4 year old. SHe little Im little...I have a 2 year old little boy same thing. We have a set of twins who are pretty average and a 2 month old who is big for his age. As long as they are growing and shes sleeping and eating okay...they grow at there own pace some are small some are big and some are average. My twins are 1 lb apart and ones in the 20th % the other in the 30th %...charts dont really mean much

Maria - posted on 02/12/2010

If she seems healthy and happy, I wouldn't worry. Your daughter is in the 3rd and 9th percentiles for weight and height, respectively. My daughter is a year younger, but at about the same percentile in these categories. I worry about my daughter, too, but all signals point to her being a very healthy and happy child. If she sleeps well, eats healthy foods, and gets out and about, then she's fine.

Tracy - posted on 02/12/2010

my daughter is 5 and would weigh around the same as ur daughter, the last time i checked her height she was about 110cm (i think) my daughter 2 eats well and never goes hungry she is just peitite. if the doc's not worried then she will be fine. my son is one and he too would also be considered small although he is bigger then his sister at the same age..

Toni - posted on 02/11/2010

I was a little kid and got that all the time. still do im 33 yrs old and most ppl are shocked to find out im old encough to drink. and im only 120lbs and 5 foot! some ppl are little. and thank God for it! great things come in little packages! thats what i told my foster daughter when she was 8 and the size of a 2 yr old. she thought that was kool. my father is small but not as small. and my mom is 5 7. so it s more so from my mothers father and dad and his mom. dont worry! just think shell be a cute petite lady one day!

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

We have the same thing. My daughter is going to be 4 in May and weights 28lbs and is 36 1/2 tall and has little feet too still a size 5 1/2 for over a year now. The doctor says shes fine so don't worry. I'd just listen to the doctors and not to worry

Karalyn - posted on 02/11/2010

Dont worry about it! If your child is healthy that's all that matters. I am small for my age aswell. When I was pregnant alot of people thought I was a little girl having a baby, which at times was frustrating to think people were thinking that of me, but the upside is that I know I look young, and I will always look young for my age (not a bad thing at all lol) If you are happy with your childs health then forget about what other people are saying. Your opinion is the only one that should matter =)

Danielle - posted on 02/11/2010

My son is just about 2.5years old he is about 31lbs and 38" tall....he's perfectly healthy and i'm quite sure that she is as well! some children grow smaller or just have a smaller body build :-)

honestly, if your doctor isn't worried I wouldn't worry yourself either :-)

good luck!

Michelle - posted on 02/11/2010

I second that with the trousers and the adjustable waist lol...God send!

Penelope - posted on 02/11/2010

I know a six year old who wears a size two. Her mom and her dad are 5'4" and 5'5". She eats fine and is full of energy. Her pediatrician was concerned but the mom put a stop to him it telling him that both her and her husband are small and they are fine. As long as the child is thriving. I've seen kids with their hair falling out because they weren't being fed properly. That's not thriving. My daughter has always worn clothes that are smaller than her age and she's always been one of the smaller ones when she went to public school. I just figured it was because she just made the cut off date to start school.

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2010

My mom was asked the same thing about me when I was 4. I was even tested for dwarfism as a child. Today I am only 4'11". I also have 4 children 3 of which they were concerned about their growth. My 6 year old who is the smallest at 4 was only 39" and 31.1 lbs. Today at 6 she still only weighs 42 lbs. Sounds like she doing fine to me!

Mary - posted on 02/10/2010

My daughter is 30 inches long and 21 lbs. I always get asked how old she is and they never believe me when I tell them shes 8 months! She wears 12 mo.clothes and sometimes I fear shes too big for her age and will be a giant. I am only 5 ft 1 and my husband is 6 ft 7 so I know where she gets it. I wish she were smaller though but God made her the way she is for a reason!

Lynnette - posted on 02/10/2010

Relax! God gave your kids genes that made them small. You need to keep telling yourself all the things you just said. She is obviously healthy and she may or may not go through a major growth spurt someday. My ten year old is about 50 pounds and wears size 7 pants (with adjustable waists or they are too big!). I like to tell people that at least one of my 9 kids may not get to be taller than I am! (I'm 5'3".) Like your ped, says, "she's good." Trust the doc.!

Brittany - posted on 02/10/2010

My son was born at 37 weeks, weighing in at 5 lbs. 10 oz. and he's a year old today and only weighs about 20 lbs. He's very thin. I worry all the time that I'm not feeding him enough so I try to feed him every chance I get. I talked to my mom about it and she said I was the same way when I was a baby. Take a look at your family, if your family is thin, then it's normal for your kids to be thin too. I've heard that avocado is really good for kids too. It's full of good fat and it's great for brain and eye development as well.

Samantha - posted on 02/10/2010

my 29 month old is 38" tall and is 32lbs. everyone mistakes her for a 3 yr old cause shes so tall and extremely smart and talks so well she also wears 4t and 5t clothing crazy hua!. a friend of mine has a daughter. Lily, born on the same day only a few hours earlier and shes like 4" shorter but weighs the same. the only difference is lily was full term.. my Rylee was a month early, premie 5lbs 5oz 18" long. weird hua! now my 6 week old is 9lbs and 22 1/2 in long. shes tall too lol. it all depends on the parents i guess an the geans they pass on!

Danielle - posted on 02/10/2010

They are just petite and theres nothing wrong with that! Small is cute!

Kim - posted on 02/10/2010

That sounds like my 1st daughter. I don't have her stats handy but she was always very small. At 7 she is just at 40 lbs and just into size 6 clothes, she can wear 5's they are starting to get short. My other daughter is very tall. She is 3 but into size 4 clothes. She is about the same weight and height as your daughter. Don't worry about her size as long as the Dr says she is doing ok. My son was very big. He towered above most of the kids his age then when he hit 3.5 yr old his growth slowed a lot and they continued. He is now one of the shortest kids in his class. You just never know.

Jessica - posted on 02/10/2010

I have the same problem. My daughter is almost 5 months and she weighs 12.6 pounds! Her cousin was born 3 weeks after her and she is almost 15 pounds. It doesnt concern me too much because i am 115 pounds and 5'5 my boyfriend is 130 pounds and 5'6 so we expect her to be petite, but sometimes it worries me.

Kristen - posted on 02/10/2010

My son is not even 5 months, and he is 22 pounds! He eats a lot, and he is a bit over weight. So kids' weight goes up and down, it doesn't mean they are unhealthy, they all just grow differently. If something was wrong, you would know right away!

Kathy - posted on 02/10/2010

Thank you for the the comments. They helped a lot. I took her for her well check yesterday and they said she's considered "petite". Her motor skills, speech and activity levels are great. It's nice to know there are a lot of moms with "petite" kids too. I tell you what though, it saves on clothes. She's worn 2T/3T for along time now and finally, she fits 4T (length not width) I LOVE the pants with the adjustable waist. Again, thank you for the encouraging words.

Michelle - posted on 02/10/2010

Amy, just dont let them tell you shes not doing well, or not eating. You know she eats well..some children are just small, tends to be more in girls than boys. Brianna's consultant told me she was perfectly healthy and that she may at max reach 5'4"..to be fair Id love to be that height at 5''8" I feel 'tall' lol. You dont have to prove nothing to your childs health visitor or pead. I went through it for 8 months of Brianna's life and ended up not taking her to see them no more cause it just upset me so much, thier harsh words...then we got the all clear from the hospital consultant and I cant be arsed with them health visitors no more...they dont know nothing about certain things...they couldnt even help me with my daughters reflux, spit up and bad colic ...turns out they didnt know babies can have a cows milk protein allergy...

Amy - posted on 02/10/2010

I don't have anything really constructive say that hasn't been said already. But, I have to tell you that hearing about your daughter's size makes me feel better about mine. My little girl is 33 months old, and she is 35 inches tall and 25 or 25.5 pounds.
As I'm getting ready to take her in for her 3 year check-up in a few months, I'm trying to find information on growth and track her eating so I can show the doctors that she does eat.

Tonya - posted on 02/09/2010

All children are different. Size depends alot on the parents if you and the father or either of you are small you kids will be small--if you are worried get a second opinion from anothe pediatrician---my middle three are small--my youngest is very chubby but really short! but they are all well proportioned that is what really matters

Jamie - posted on 02/09/2010

let people think what they will as long as your daughter is happy and healthy thats what matters! be firm in who you are as her mother and dont care what others think!

Sheri - posted on 02/09/2010

My, now 18 year old, daughter was so small she was diagnosed with "Failure to Thrive". I was told to keep nursing her for three years to make sure she had good brain growth if the rest of her body wasn't. All that worry was for nothing, she was just little. Now, at 18, she is 5 feet 3 and weighs 110. she looks great!! If she is healthy, energetic and progressing in normal limits don't worry.

Michelle - posted on 02/09/2010

its called being constitutionally slim. thats the medical term for it. my daughter has just turned 2 and weighs 22lbs, shes sooo skinny but very healthy. She eats the house out seriously, my mom always asks if shes got worms lol... Both her dad and I are slim, we both weigh less than we should but can not ever put on weight. I wasnt small for my age when I was younger but her dad was. She also has a milk allergy which doesnt help as she gets no fat in her diet. All the health visitors and docs used to worry that I was starving her or she wasnt feeding well...and she got gastroenteritis last April and was admitted to hospital and they did bloods and we had to see the consultant once she was better. We were sent cause they thought she was 'failing to thrive' as from 3 months was always between 4th and 25th percentile. When we spoke to the consultant he told us to ignore everyone and that she was just fine, her bloods come back perfectly fine and she then was diagnosed with consitutionally slimness and he wrote a letter to her doc to confirm this and told him not to bother us about it and if he had any concerns to write to him first!..best day of my life (well one of them anyway).

Casey - posted on 02/09/2010

My daugther will be 4 years old in May. She is 26lbs and 36 inches tall. She is SO tiny, but eats all of the time. She eats 3 hot meals a day, and good snacks in between. I guess maybe they just happen to have high metabolism?? I was small and skinny as a child, and so was my husband. Our pedi says that she is healthy, just petite. I have a 10 month old son that is 17lbs and 25-26 inches long, he is on the small end of the charts as well.

Renae - posted on 02/09/2010

Links to world health organisation growth charts are below. 25th to 75th percentile is considered normal. 50th is average. Above 75th is big and below 25th is small.



Weight for girls:

http://www.who.int/nutrition/media_page/...



Height for girls:

http://www.who.int/nutrition/media_page/...



28 pounds is 12.7 kilos and 38 inches is 96.5 centimetres. She is very small. But if you trust your doctor and they are sure there isn't a problem then I guess she's ok. If you are concerned you could always get a second opinion to put your mind at ease.

Maebel - posted on 02/09/2010

when i saw this question, i thought you were talking about my daugther-what a coincidence!!..my daughter is also petite-she will be turning 4 in 3 months and people always think she is about 2. my pediatrician said she's fine but she's always been tiny even as a baby and she eats great! and very smart!!..maybe it's all genetics! i'm 5'3 and my husband is 5'11.

Michele - posted on 02/08/2010

My daughter is tiny too and I get that ALL the time (esp. family from family) and it really annoys me...I am not starving my daughter. Babies like adults come in all shapes and sizes too! Glad I am not alone! :)

Jessica - posted on 02/08/2010

My 7 month old is only 13 pounds. The doctors are not worried, and she's very healthy. I wouldn't worry about it as long as her health is not an issue. Good luck!

Kim - posted on 02/08/2010

My almost 7 year old has always been small for her age and no one beleives me when I tell them how old she is, they always thinks she is younger.I just tell people this is when she was born, up to you if you want to beleive me or not.Some kids are smaller then others. All kids come in different sizes.

Mary - posted on 02/08/2010

I have a 5 year old that was born 8lb 110z and has always been big for her age but I also have a 14 month old that was born 8lb 12oz and is only 20lbs at 14 months so I think my youngest is tiny compared to my oldest. But my youngest that is 14 months is 30" so I would consider your sizes as small for her age, but that is just me.