Health Visitor told me to make my DD go without food even when she cries for it????? :(

[SHAZxMAC]

I messaged on here a while ago about my DD being a big girl for her age. She is off the scale on the growth charts for her weight and just above average height. BMI says she 'obese'

The thing is, she has been that was since birth! And was off the charts for weight long before i even weaned her.

She is healthy, active and i do not give her excessive sugary or fatty foods. She eats her 5 a day, 3 meals and hardly ever snacks.
'
The last time we saw HV she told us to drop her portion sizes. I tried this a little while but DD started to Cry for more at the end of her meal so i gave her more (extra veggys, fruit and stuff - not talking chips etc.)

So i saw the HV today who said she is 'awfully overweight and that i should let her cry'.

My response was that surely it was the kind of things that she was eating that were important, not the portion sizes - and she said if i dont make her get used to not eating so much now she will always be the ' big fat kid!'

Im really discusted by the way she was and was all ready to complain to surgery = but am wondering if she is right in what she is saying and i needed to be told home truths.
Is she just ok in my eyes and not everyone elses.

But what else can i do - i CANNOT leave my little girl crying for more at the end of a meal, i just can't - she is still a baby and i dont think she is mature enough to be able to manipulate more food out of me - i think she must generally be hungry.

Her dad is a big bloke 6ft 4 and always been 'chubby'.

Just to add - my DS is the total opposite - average weight and off the chart height.

Sorry to rant, sounds abit muddled doesnt it!!! Just needed to get off my chest!

[fingerwoman]

how old is she?

[SHAZxMAC]

SOrry - she is 20 months and 32lb

[Piffle]

ask for referral to a qualified dietitian, if the Hv suspects a growth problem
FFS if it was low weight gain you'd be whizzed onto referral.
do ask for a medical opinion....

[pinkspottywellies]

I don't know whether she is right (although it doesn't feel right to me) but she is downright rude. Complain about her attitude, and perhaps talk to your gp about her weight/eating.

[fingerwoman]

hmm, tough one. I would make an appointment to see your GP and talk through what the HV has said.
and yes, do ask for a referral to a dietician

[SHAZxMAC]

Yes i think i will definately ask GP for a referral - i am not sure how qualified HV's are??

[SHAZxMAC]

She is 38 inches (or there abouts)

[SHAZxMAC]

I dont have DD growth chart handy so dont know what that means

[SHAZxMAC]

It is reassuring to hear about your DS though - did you ever get told to refer him or put him on a diet?

[mustrunmore]

Ds2 is 20 months. I has him weighed about a month ago and he was 29lb something. Not sure if that will help you compare or not!

[Jekyllywoo]

My dd was huge at that age and ate loads and loads - she's now a fairly lean 3 year old. It sounds as if she is eating well and obviously if your DH is tall she will be too. At the other end of the scale my friend is tiny (5ft and very petite) and her daughter has always been at the bottom of the centiles, she has had loads of hassle too. I'd be tempted to just carry on as you are and keep feeding her good food.

[SHAZxMAC]

I have moved house twice in a short space of time so had a 'transferring in appt' as it is a different surgery (although both surgerys are covered by same HV's so its the same woman - stupid i think.

I don't have a copy of her Growth chart but the HV said it was average height - i did try to say that i thought she was in proportion.

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

38'' is just over 3 foot.

[SHAZxMAC]

Thank you - i was just puzzling that one! lol

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

3ft 2.
Surely well over average?!

[fingerwoman]

that is very tall for her age! in which case I wouldn't think you have anything to worry about.

[Piffle]

that soudsn ok for proportion
my dd has growth restricted syndrome and is very petite almost (next week) 5 yr old

she is 94cms and 14kgs and very petite


32lbs = 14.5 kg
38 inches =96.5 cms