Toddlers: Can toddler gain too much weight?
My two year old's weight went from the 50th percentile at one year to the 90th percentile at two years. His height only went from the 50th to the 75th. He eats really well and sweets are a rarity. Is it possible for a toddler to gain too much weight?
Question:Sue Gilbert
Sue Gilbert works as a consulting nutritionist. For many years she worked with Earth's Best Organic Baby Food, integrating nutrition and... Read more
Children are particularly good self regulators when it come to eating what they need. Any attempts to restrict their intake can backfire.
Children whose parents withhold food from them become preoccupied with it and are prone to overeat when they get a chance. That doesn't mean letting him loose in the grocery store. Self regulation works best if regular meals and snack times have been established and if the foods served at those times are nutritious. Your son then can decide how much he will eat at those set times.
It is common for children to eat and grow sporadically. Growth spurts are characterized by quick weight gain, often followed by a lagging gain in height. Your son may very well be in the middle of one. It may also be that he is just coming around to a body type that is normal for him. Take a look at the rest of the family, question how you or your husband grew. He may merely be displaying a normal genetic growth pattern.
Another factor that may be in play, is his activity level. Has he been more sedentary? Be sure the kids have loads of time to run around and play as opposed to watching television or videos.
If, over the course of the next few months, you find his weight gain is far outpacing his height, you will want to review his eating patterns, (what, where, when, and how much) and make the necessary adjustments.
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