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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dd in bigger clothes than her age. Does it really matter?

200 replies

Karleeb30 · 05/10/2021 17:23

Dd is 6. She's 122-123cm tall and weighs just over 4 Stone. She is in mainly 7-8 clothes and some 8-9 yet she still has some clothes in 6-7 that fit. Depends on the fit and style. It's mainly because she does have a little tummy so does need things a little roomier plus 6-7 is usually way too short on her!! She's had a massive growth spurt since the first lockdown . Went from clothes being too long to now too short.

Mil works in a clothes shop that sell kids clothes (won't say where). She's asked if Dd needs anything, I told her she needs 7-8 or maybe 8-9 and she seemed disgusted implying that my daughter was huge or something!

I know some of the cute clothes Stop in 5-6 or 6-7 so she will have to look in the older girls section... but does it really matter?

we all know that kids are not all built the same! Sizing for an average sized kid of their age. Dd is quite tall so anything smaller than 7-8 is just too short and often a little tight around the waist. To think all 6 year olds would fit into one generic size is madness.

Plus it really depends on the shop. Some shops come Up crazily small and some bigger. H&M is my go to atm. Dd wears their 6-8 or 7-8 years clothes and fit perfectly!

She definitely has my body shape and tall like me!

She doesn't necessarily look big compared to her peers, maybe a little but not massively bigger.

OP posts:
thinkbiglittleone · 05/10/2021 19:25

Our DS is very petite and is in reception in 2-3 years trousers, that's just how he's built. They are all different and that's what makes them, them. Providing they are a healthy size, empower them with their build and teach them to love it.

Original poster
Karleeb30 · 05/10/2021 19:30

@apalledandshocked

The "bit of a belly" is maybe muscle tone. Even physically active children don't tend to be doing sit ups/stomach toning exercises etc (thank god) so its not abnormal for them to have tummy's. I did as a child despite being very physically active and skinny. I think that matters less than other factors such as being able to see ribs etc. If you are concerned I would ask at the next doctors appointment but I don't think needing a year older clothing is a big concern in itself.
I am not sure much about it but part of her problems that she has low muscle tone? Could that be related?
OP posts:
RainbowMum11 · 05/10/2021 19:31

My 8 year old is really tall but very slim - it can be hard to find clothes that fit but the ages are only a guideline based on averages - children, like adults, come in all shapes & sizes.

Clymene · 05/10/2021 19:32

The OP's daughter is under the care of several medical professionals, none of whom have mentioned her DD's weight.

@Karleeb30 - Rather than asking the opinion of a lot of people on MN, some of whom have clearly disordered relationships with food, I would ask your paediatrician at your next appointment.

I would ask your DD to wait outside so that you don't put ideas in her head that her body is wrong.

Your child is under the care of medical professionals who know her and I would listen to them rather than your MIL or anyone else.

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 19:35

Confused some children are tall, some are middling, some are short. End of discussion.

If your child is in the normal BMI range for their height and their doctors are fine with them, you have nothing to worry about.

I'm a parent of tall kids, I was a tall kid, this is not new.

And just because there are a fair proportion of obese/overweight children - important to remember the majority of British children are in the 'normal' weight category - and wherever your child is in that category is OK, we don't have to obsess about weight if the basics of diet and exercise are OK. There is a moral panic about weight/health but an obsession about food is no healthier than over-eating really.

DarkDarkNight · 05/10/2021 19:35

Clothes for a 6 year old would be 116cm so no wonder they don’t fit, she is tall for her age.

My 8 year old son is 136 cm and would never fit in age 8 (128cm) clothing designed to fit 7-8 years.

Rhubarblin · 05/10/2021 19:36

My children are really tall...my 3 year old wears 4-5 or 5-6 already, absolutely not overweight, she's skinny, 12TH percentile on the NHS BMI calculator.

My 12 (this month) year old wears a size 8 already or 15yrs clothing, she's just been taller than many adults since age 9. She also started puberty very young (started at 8 and periods at 10) and it's not because she's overweight (she's also a healthy weight), genetics play a huge part.

Original poster
Karleeb30 · 05/10/2021 19:36

@bubblebath62636

She's got skinny arms and legs, just carries a bit of a belly - exactly like me!

I'm sure she's fine OP however please remember she's a child so her 'having a tummy like you' isn't really normal.

I'd limit sweets, pop anything that 'bloats' her tummy and is empty calories.

What I meant is having a protruding stomach as in her body shape. I wouldn't say her belly fat is excessive but she's not very skinny either. Somewhere in between. My stomach protrudes more the slimmer I am tbh. I often get people thinking I'm pregnant when I'm not. I've been like this forever.

Dd also hyperextends so her bottom area often look chunkier than they actually are.

She's got a very bizarre body shape like me!

OP posts:
Original poster
Karleeb30 · 05/10/2021 19:37

@Clymene

The OP's daughter is under the care of several medical professionals, none of whom have mentioned her DD's weight.

@Karleeb30 - Rather than asking the opinion of a lot of people on MN, some of whom have clearly disordered relationships with food, I would ask your paediatrician at your next appointment.

I would ask your DD to wait outside so that you don't put ideas in her head that her body is wrong.

Your child is under the care of medical professionals who know her and I would listen to them rather than your MIL or anyone else.

Thank you. I regret posting this tbh 😅
OP posts:
KitchenMandarin · 05/10/2021 19:39

OP do you follow Muthahood on Instagram? She is the founder of the Strong Girls Club and has a really good saved highlight about Kids clothing size grading which was really eye-opening.

furbabymama87 · 05/10/2021 19:40

None of my kids wore clothes the exact age. It's just a guide and some kids will be bigger or smaller. My kids are usually one to two sizes bigger than their age.

Original poster
Karleeb30 · 05/10/2021 19:41

@KitchenMandarin

OP do you follow Muthahood on Instagram? She is the founder of the Strong Girls Club and has a really good saved highlight about Kids clothing size grading which was really eye-opening.
I don't but I am intrigued now. Thanks!
OP posts:
ReeseWitherfork · 05/10/2021 19:42

She's got a very bizarre body shape like me!

In that photo you shared she looks very normal, not bizarre at all.

Clymene · 05/10/2021 19:42

You're welcome @Karleeb30 Smile I'd hide the thread now if I were you.

That people are telling you she's fat (paraphrasing but that's the message) even when you've said she is under regular medical supervision is really disturbing.

I think MN should post a warning on these threads about lack of medical qualifications.

BunsyGirl · 05/10/2021 19:44

My 8 year old DS is the height of an average 11 year old boy. Of course he doesn’t wear age 8 clothes. The trousers would be up to his knees. Grin

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 19:45

@Karleeb30

Please do not start to obsess about your DD's body - there are loads of women and therefore mothers who are odd about food/eating/weight - if your child eats a balanced diet and is in the green for weight then what is the health issue with having a non-skinny belly at age 6? Many children have this. There is no issue with this.

Do not take child health advice from people with weight/food issues.

herecomesthsun · 05/10/2021 19:45

I don't believe that obesity causes children to grow into short adults.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2006.254

Obese children are generally taller than their peers of normal weight, but their final height is not different from that of their lean counterparts.

(medic but not a paed)

FuckingFabulous · 05/10/2021 19:46

My 12 year old boy is almost 5ft 9 but very slim and I get comments of "doesn't he ever eat anything?" or "are you feeding him growth hormones or something?"

Basically, if your child is anything outside of average, you'll get comments from rude people.

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 19:48

@FuckingFabulous

My 12 year old boy is almost 5ft 9 but very slim and I get comments of "doesn't he ever eat anything?" or "are you feeding him growth hormones or something?"

Basically, if your child is anything outside of average, you'll get comments from rude people.

And even if they actually are average, because a lot of people are so fucked up about food that they are fixated on abnormally thin body shapes.
DeepaBeesKit · 05/10/2021 19:52

I would think fine if a child is tall so needs extra length. I'd be a bit more fussed about the tummy. Does she eat a lot of sweet food/white carbs? A child of 6 should have a flat tummy and look lean.

purplesequins · 05/10/2021 19:55

buy what fits.
children come in different sizes and clothes are not consistent in sizes either.
ime they don't make sense, just look at the different heights of dc on the school photos.

I have one dc who roughly follows the age sizes and other dc who are always 2 or 3 age sizes above.

Original poster
Karleeb30 · 05/10/2021 20:02

@ReeseWitherfork

She's got a very bizarre body shape like me!

In that photo you shared she looks very normal, not bizarre at all.

Thank you. I meant really because she's got really small hands and feet, a little larger than average stomach with skinny arms with a slight protruding belly! She's tall (tall with small feel also like me and dp 😅). She's also got a long torso like me! I need clothes longer in the body and shorter on the legs. I'm quite tall but regular jeans are often too long but need to buy from the tall section for my top half! I hate clothes shopping as you can imagine.

Dd is beautiful though 💕

I was hoping she wouldn't struggle with her weight like Dp. She is gorgeous regardless but he's one of those who can eat and eat without gaining an ounce 😅

OP posts:
katienana · 05/10/2021 20:03

It sounds like she is tall, most of the kuds clothes I buy have a height in cm as well as range, I'm sure 7-8 is 120cm or thereabouts? Anyway my 5yo is in age 7-8 or age 8 as he is tall. He's just had a growth spurt and slimmed right down. My older one is 9 and wears 11-12, he is also exceptionally tall. Neither of them eats unless hungry but they have had periods where they put a bit of weight on but then shoot up. I keep a close eye but this pattern always happens.

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 20:08

@DeepaBeesKit

I would think fine if a child is tall so needs extra length. I'd be a bit more fussed about the tummy. Does she eat a lot of sweet food/white carbs? A child of 6 should have a flat tummy and look lean.
Are you a paediatric specialist?

Many young children do not look 'lean' at 6 and go on to live wonderfully healthy lives.

Kanaloa · 05/10/2021 20:10

From the photo she looks in proportion, like any normal child. She doesn’t look to have a protruding belly? Or perhaps it’s not noticeable in the photo.

If she is taller than average then it makes sense for her to wear clothes that are a size larger than average. I mean is she the same height as an average child of her age? If not then it would be odd if the same piece of clothing fit both her and the shorter child.