At what age is it no longer okay for children to be chubby?

[HipposGoBeserk]

I have had two enormously chubby babies. Exclusively breastfed to 6 months or further, and rolls and rolls of fat on them. Like little grinning, gooey, mitchelin babies. Which is all very well and scrumptious whenh they're little, but at what age should they start to skinny out?

I read a thread on here recently about how you should be able to see a child's ribs.

5yo dd is now beautifully slim, very active, healthy, you can see her ribs. No worried about her.

Only just turned 3yo ds is still quite a chubster. It is SO hard for me to judge because I see them every day, and I think they are both divinely beautiful so it's hard to be objective.

I have asked a couple of good friends (who I am fairly sure would be honest) and they have told me he is fine.

He has a big belly, chunky thighs, a sweet, round face. No ribs to be seen.

He eats a healthy diet by choice, but does eat quite a lot of it I suppose. He snacks on fruit a lot. He is forever telling me he is hungry.

He is fairly active, but will be a lot more so when he starts nursery next month.

He is also dairly intollerent - don't think that is particularly relevant, but part of the big picture.

What do you think?

Is 3 too old for baby fat? It is, isn't it.

My dd eats a lot of fruit too, my friend who is a dietician said this in not a good thing. Should be moderated, all veg is good but fruit is v high in sugar and that goes straight to the liver as fatty deposits. I found that v depressing news.

It is a bit, but both mine had some at 3, and both were underweight at four

My babies have been as you describe in your OP

The 7yo was still gorgeously chub at 3yo. Is now skinny but healthy with a really good appetite

The 4yo isn't chub anymore but not a skinny-minnie (yet). But she's on the way, I can tell

So I think 3yo is FINE to still be a bit Michelin

I am really pleased to read this. I am in the same situation as the OP. DS is 'well built' at two going on three. He eats a very healthy diet and no junk at all. DH's family build is 'stocky' so I'm unclear on how much is just natural shape, how much is baby fat and how much is something I am doing wrong. He has a super active life style but when standing next to his peers he is noticeably chubbier. I have tried a trick I read on here about decreasing his portion size and only giving more if he asks for it but he's only 2 and well, it all feels a bit odd. I really hope it is true that heavy at 2 can turn into normal at 4.

Thanks for the replies. Am feeling reassured.

I shall try and replace apples and bananas with more salady things when he wants to scoff fruit in the daytime. He adores cucumber and capsicum and carrots just as much as apples and plums.

I think I shall just keep an eye for now, and see how things change when he starts walking to and from nursery 3 times a week in a few weeks time.

Hello,

The official line is after 2 they should slim down, but I think this is mainly to avoid child obesity and seeing as you feed your child a healthy diet and he is active I don't think he is in danger of this!!!!

I would say they slim down a bit after 2, and then again between 4 and 5. Well, this is going on my experience of my niece who was a big toddler at 2/3 and is a very slim and tall just turned 5 year old.

I think the main thing is they are active. If I had a chunky 4 year old I would take action but 2 is a bit young.

That should say 3 at the end

Wondering similar. D1(7) skinny as a rake. eats like a horse.
Ds2(2.5) is chubster. well built. build just like dh. hoping it disappears a bit before 3.
Mind yoiu quite a few friends of mine have had chubby kids who thinned down ALOT in Reception, so post 4, pre 5.

Well he definitely has slimmed down a bit since turning 2. He is not the complete butterball he was. Still chubbier than strictly necessary though. God he's gorgeous .

A few people have said that around 4yo is another typical slim down. Now I think of it, although my dd has never been fat since she started walking, she has only actually become a skinny little thing in the last year.

Thanks again for the replies.

My DS1 was the same, breastfed and fat as butter. I did worry a bit that he was overweight compared to my friends children. He has gradually slimmed down to a chunky toddler and now at 4.5 has had a bit arms-and-legs growth spurt and is suddenly skinny - ribs and shoulder blades appearing. As long as you are giving him a healthy diet and encouraging him to be active then don't worry. I really don't think anyone ever became obese eating apples!