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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

How small is too small for a 3 year old? Also seems tired alot and not much energy.

15 replies

NOgirlsallowed · 16/09/2008 20:30

My ds1 aged 3 is in 1.5-2 years trousers. He also complains of tiredness alot and does not seem to have much energy. He complains sometimes as early as breakfast that his legs are tired and he wants his bed. Falls asleep at the drop of a hat often on the carpet. At other times he is "full on" as my dh said and racing around just like he should at the age of 3 but its not long before he's tired again. Does not eat much. He is starting playgroup soon and rather concerned about this. Any advise anyone?

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Bluebutterfly · 16/09/2008 20:38

Are there foods that he is happy to eat more than others? My advice is to just get him to eat as much of the foods that he likes at this point (even if they do not always seem too healthy) A plate of chips is better than eating nothing at all. Could he be anaemic - maybe you should speak to your gp, because if he is anaemic you need to get him on iron supplements as soon as possible. Is he a fussy eater or does he just have a poor apetite?

Some juices are are fortified with certain vitamins, calcium etc - you could try giving him these to drink as a sneaky sort of supplement if you think his eating habits mean he is not always getting the nutrition that he needs.

Also, does he get enough sleep and have a structured bed/nap time. I have found with ds (3.8)that tiredness reduces his apetite and he functions alot better with a set bedtime (8pm) and meals at the same time every day (7am, 12 noon, 4pm snack, 6pm).

Getting outside to play everyday can also really help build an apetite.

Not sure that this is of much help... it is normal for 3 year olds to have ups and downs throughout the day, but if the downs outnumber the ups I would be a little concerned...

Bluebutterfly · 16/09/2008 20:39

Oh and with the ups and downs, I could never ever accuse my ds of lacking energy...

MmeLindt · 16/09/2008 20:42

If it were just the size, then I would say not to worry, as DD was always in clothes a size younger.

The falling asleep and being tired would worry me more.

When you say that he does not each much, do you mean not much variety, or not much at all?

Nat1H · 16/09/2008 20:44

I would take him to your GP and ask for an opinion, possibly from a paediatrician.

FairLadyRantALot · 16/09/2008 20:45

Hm, could he be anaemic?
I would see a GP., just in case, and tell him about your concerns, and maybe they could do a bloodtest to determine if your lil one is anaemic,or has thyroid problems, or somehting like that!

Has he always been like this r is it a recent thing?
If it is only recent it could well be just a growth spurt....

NOgirlsallowed · 16/09/2008 20:57

Thanx he doesn't have much of an appetite we often go through phrases when he doesn't want to sit at the table and eat with us. When he's tired he'll eat only one thing peanut butter sandwiches! Have tried giving him his main dinner at lunch time before he gets too tired and that seems to be working quite well. However yesterday he fell asleep before lunch at about 12ish on the dining room carpet for about an hour and then wanted what dh calls his "usual"!
He's due to see his paediatrician in a couple of weeks time as he has kidney reflux. I don't think its related to his kidney reflux but I'll mention it to him.

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NOgirlsallowed · 16/09/2008 21:12

Have wondered if he might be anaemic my mother has also raised this with me. (She sees us quite alot most weeks.) Will discuss it with my paediatrician (can't spell it sorry!) He'll probably make me out to be a total liar and be running about as children always do when doctors are concerned!

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bluejellybean · 16/09/2008 21:12

Does he have any other signs of illness ie lots of colds/infections?

NOgirlsallowed · 16/09/2008 21:19

No he doesn't. Hasn't had a cold for ages. The funny thing is ds2 aged 10 months is always getting colds yet he is constantly eating - he eats loads far more than ds1 has ever done, is always on the go and is TALL for his age!!

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bluejellybean · 16/09/2008 21:33

I would ask for a blood test......just to be on the safe side.

Nat1H · 16/09/2008 21:35

Does he have tummy aches or diahhroea? (don't know if that's spelt correctly!) Does he have periods of eating loads, then hardly anything at all?

bluejellybean · 16/09/2008 21:42

You said he said his legs were tired, does he say that often about his arms, legs etc?

keevamum · 16/09/2008 21:51

My DD2 has anaemia and sounds very similar to your DS. The Consultant said because she doesn't eat enough of anything then she isn't likely to have enough iron in her diet. She has been on iron for the last 3 months and has slightly more energy but still has a long sleep every day and looks terrible if she doen't get it.

NOgirlsallowed · 16/09/2008 22:13

No he just says his legs are tired. Often says this atleast once a day. No upset tummy issues atall.

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NOgirlsallowed · 16/09/2008 22:15

Just to clarify I meant he doesn't say it about his arms just his legs!

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