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Behaviour/development

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

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Original poster

When do slightly chubby toddlers thin out into lean children?

36 replies

breatheslowly · 25/05/2013 20:51

DD is 2.5 and has what I think is the normal chubbieness of a toddler. Her BMI is 16.4 which appears to be about 60th centile for her age. I am not concerned about her weight, just curious as to when children move from a toddler body shape to a child body shape.

OP posts:

Tee2072 · 25/05/2013 20:53

Sometimes never. It's not guaranteed but depends on what they eat and their activity level, just like grown ups.

But don't worry about BMI, it's crap. If she looks chubby, try getting her more active or giving smaller portions.

Nevercan · 25/05/2013 21:21

My DD2 was really chubby and has just started to thin out and she is 2 next week...

MousyMouse · 25/05/2013 21:28

it really depends.
dc1 was very chubby as baby but very skinny from about 2.
dc2 was a tall and heavy baby but has only now at over 3 we are able to see ribs.

PhilPhil · 25/05/2013 21:28

I have a chubby 15 month old. But I don't quite understand the smaller portions thing - I might sound really stupid here, but sometimes she eats a little, sometimes a lot - and sometimes she's clearly still hungry so I give her more. Should I be limiting her even if she seems hungry. (An example: she has 1 weetabix for breakfast, but if she finishes it all and doesn't seem content she often has another 1/2, and sometimes she's so eager for it she grabs it and eats it dry rather than waiting for me to pour milk on.) My older ds is skinny, so I've not had to think about this much before.

Tee2072 · 25/05/2013 21:32

No, at 15 months let her eat what she wants.

Hell, at 2.5 let her eat what she wants.

Plenty of time to change her eating (or his) when they are older. Children can be so picky about food anyway, don't add to it!!!

My almost (OMG in 2 weeks!!) four year old is very tall and thin and always has been. But that's him.

Seriously, stop worrying about it at this age. And, truly, BMI means nothing. It's a nonsense number especially at this age.

MousyMouse · 25/05/2013 21:36

no let then eat. my 2 get a relatively small portion and can elp themselves to seconds if they want to. if they are still hungry they can have a pick at the fruitbowl.

Smudging · 25/05/2013 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FattyMcChubster · 25/05/2013 21:42

Really? I hope you're keeping your thoughts to yourself op and not letting your dc know you think they're 'chubby'.
As long as they're eating healthily and moving plenty, let them enjoy themselves.
2.5 and you're worried about bmi?

AppleCrumples · 25/05/2013 21:44

Really don't worry! Ds2 was like this, a proper chunky toddler and i did used to worry but he was/is always on the go..so i did used to wonder why he was chunky. Anyway he has been growing like a weed for years now and hes now a tall slim 7 yr old! All puppy fat has gone (still eats everything in the fridge though)

BreasticlesNTesticles · 25/05/2013 21:45

I have had 2 wonderfully chubby dd's, dd1 is like a rake at 4 and dd2 is starting to stretch out now at nearly 2. I'd say by about 3 they lose their baby podge.

RugBugs · 25/05/2013 21:49

DD is 2.6 and started losing her gorgeous toddler knees a few months ago. She has her Daddy's tall skinny build and has some calf definition now but she still has her chubby little arms .

Original poster

breatheslowly · 25/05/2013 21:50

I'm not worried and never discuss weight with DD. I am just curious as you are meant to be able to see the ribs on children, but toddlers can be a bit chunkier, and I was wondering when the crossover happens.

OP posts:

OddBoots · 25/05/2013 21:55

My very chunky ds started to thin out when he started walking, he was at the 'see ribs' stage by his 3rd birthday - he's now a broad shouldered 13yo.

Smudging · 25/05/2013 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

resipsa · 25/05/2013 22:08

DD is 2 years 4 months and just had her 2 year health check. She is off the charts for both height and weight (WHO, time to update). At 18.4kgs, she's heavy but HV said not to worry as her height and weight are in proportion.

Pascha · 25/05/2013 22:10

Ds1 is 2.8 and has lost his tummy but still has pudgy knees. I reckon he will be all boy and no toddler by three at the latest.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 25/05/2013 22:52

Usually at about 4 in my experience. That's when most stop looking like toddlers and more like....well like kids!

notnowbernard · 25/05/2013 22:59

Dd1 was really chubby toddler. At 9 is a real whippet, can see ribs etc and wears 7-8 clothes

Dd2 also chubby as a toddler (not as much as dd1 though) and at 7 is lean but tall for age, unlike dd1.

Ds was a chubster but at 3 is losing it as is tall... He is broad though and heavy so who knows ...

elfycat · 25/05/2013 23:12

DD2 is 2.5 and I was just admiring her long legs today and then noticed that she's getting taller and thinner. She still has that cute toddler tummy but it's stretching now.

freetrait · 25/05/2013 23:27

By 4 they shouldn't look like chubby toddlers and by 6/7 they should start looking like active, slim kids. Certainly a transition between about 3 and 7, but you can spot overweight 4 year olds as by this age they shouldn't have that cute baby fat thing .

sjuperyoni · 25/05/2013 23:36

Dd was around 4 and still has lovely slim lines aged 8 but no ribs. my dnephew was nearly 2 and at 6 is still a scrawny wee thing.

DNeice was a very chubby baby but thinned down by 2.

It's different with all dc but i wouldn't worry about it.

BabiesAreLikeBuses · 26/05/2013 06:55

My ds was v chubby baby and toddler, ate (and stll eats) a lot but healthy diet, constantly on the go, def couldn't see ribs til 4 and only started properly looking thin at 5.
And to pp he ate 2 weetabix a day from about 15 months, it's still his fave breakfast, he just likes a good feed to start his day!

pizzaqueen · 26/05/2013 07:34

I'll go through phases where I think 'oh DS (2.5) is looking a bit chubby' then a few weeks later he'll sprout a few inches taller and look lean again, I think it just takes a little while for his height to catch up during a growth spurt.

forevergreek · 26/05/2013 07:51

I think between 2-3. 3 year old here is tall and slim, 2 year old Iv just noticed it now loosing his chubbiness, he is now tall and slim also but has a fuller face, chubbier arms still.

As the grow they are walking more buggy less, can run faster, climb better etc etc. I let them have as much as they want but there is a limit. I know some in here say their 1 year old eats 3 weetabix and 2 bits of toast for example which to me is pure overfeeding. I would offer one/ a piece and give another if they want but I wouldn't keep going.

SoTiredAgain · 26/05/2013 08:10

Smaller portions? No, no, no to that unless she is eating massive amounts (highly unlikely). Instead chill out and enjoy the chubbiness. My DC was always long and lean and never went through a chubby stage though.

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