Talk

Flip

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

weight loss in 3yo

9 replies

nicnack2 · 31/05/2006 14:39

do all young children go through a period around 3 of not eating/losing weight. My mother visited yesterday and was quite upset to see ds1 had lost alot of weight. We are having probs not so much with eating bit with constant colds and chest probs. am going to GP today but i know what i will be told he will eat when he is hungry ( which is the attiude i have taken)He eats fruit and loves porridge and oddly enough brocchli but my mothers reaction has got me worried.

OP posts:

Report

foxinsocks · 31/05/2006 14:43

I think it's a tricky time as 3 yr olds are often ill especially once they start nursery/pre-school class. Fwiw, ds (age 4) eats like a horse and hardly weighs a thing.

I think if he had no energy and was always tired then you would have something to worry about but as the weight loss coincides with ill health, then it's a bit more understandable.

Better to get it checked out anyway - normally kids put back the weight they lose after they've been ill so maybe if he's struggling a bit, he might need to eat more filling/fattening food for a bit.

Report

WigWamBam · 31/05/2006 14:44

Has he really lost weight, or has he just gained height? When dd was about 3 she suddenly looked as if she'd lost weight - she hadn't, her weight was the same, but she had a real growth spurt, became much taller, so looked slimmer.

Report

foxinsocks · 31/05/2006 14:44

how much is 'alot of weight'?

Report

bluejelly · 31/05/2006 14:45

And does he only eat fruit porridge and broccoli?

Report

nicnack2 · 31/05/2006 14:51

he has stretch, but he was weighing just under 2.5 stone now just over 2. He is a very tall 3yo as dad is tall,but is looking skinny,and his clothes are falling of him, having always been in a bigger size. he will of course eat anything sweet which we tey not to give into as then that easy for him. He will eat rice and pasta but only a couple of mouthfuls and then says he is full. i know its a vicious cycle as the less he eats the smaller his appetite becomes.

OP posts:

Report

Piffle · 31/05/2006 14:56

Get it checked out with the GP ...

to actually lose weight is a worry tbh
My dd (3.5) has a genetic condition that causes her to gain weight slowly
she has not gained any weight for 6 mths as like your ds constant illnesses, some serious, some minor. But she has not lost any weight.
She eats well when healthy though.
The doctors are starting to get a little edgy about dd not putting any weight on and mentioning supplements - they said for me to consider it an urgent problem should she lose any weight.
1/2 a stone is a lot of weight

Report

Mercy · 31/05/2006 14:58

nicnack, my dd lost a bit weight earlier this year as a result of a really bad dose of flu. Her appetite went completely.

I gave her Floradix Kindervital and within 2/3 days her appetite picked up - but it took about a month for her to regain the weight and strength

Report

foxinsocks · 31/05/2006 14:59

so he's lost a fifth of his weight?

I would ask the GP to be on the safe side but also think you probably need to look at his diet to try and add some more calorific things (like avocados, red meat, olive oil in your cooking, lots of bread etc.)

Report

Weight gain in pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy is one of life's certainties, but studies show that many women don't know how much weight they should be putting on – and could be putting themselves and their baby at risk

nicnack2 · 31/05/2006 15:03

fox we try mince and spag bog as he will eat this. thicker meat he finds offputting. I knew myself that he was thinner but because gran hasnt seen hime for a couple of months i think she made me realise how thin he was looking. I am sure that it is just the constant cold and chest probs but wanted to see that this wasnt an phase that children go through.