4.5 yo getting skinnier…

Itsmyturnnow1 · 2023-03-13T19:02:37+00:00

Not sure if this is normal or not but I’ve noticed my 4.5 year old is getting skinnier. His trousers are all loose around his waist when they fit him before. They’re getting too short as he’s clearly growing taller and he hasn’t lost weight. He’s tall for his age and eats like a horse and is always hungry! Is this just him growing and stretching out?!

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RunTowardsTheLight · 13/03/2023 19:03

What height and weight is he?

Original poster

Itsmyturnnow1 · 13/03/2023 19:12

He’s 105cm and 18.9kg

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RunTowardsTheLight · 13/03/2023 19:16

That's fine then OP. He's a healthy weight for his height, and actually closer to the top end of the healthy range. So stretching out height-wise without gaining weight sounds fine and normal. Nothing to worry about!

www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator/

highstep · 13/03/2023 19:18

Sounds normal to me op, they go from having their tubby little toddler tummies to being gangly children! My son was exactly the same, he's still very skinny now at 12, but perfectly within healthy range, lots of energy, good immune system etc.

UpUpUpU · 13/03/2023 19:19

My son is 115cm and 20kg. His weight hasn’t changed for ages but he’s getting taller. He does look very lean too!

Original poster

Itsmyturnnow1 · 13/03/2023 19:23

Thanks so much that’s reassuring! He eats well and isn’t poorly often and is full of energy! I just noticed baggy trousers but glad it sounds quite normal!!

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GrassWillBeGreener · 13/03/2023 19:54

I didn't replace my son's PE shorts between reception and year 6 ...

highstep · 13/03/2023 19:59

@GrassWillBeGreener haha yea I think my son has had his boxers for years now because he just doesn't grow out of them, his little waist is still so small! If it wasn't for his long gangly legs I'm sure he'd still be in his 4-5 shorts at 12!

BaffledOnceAgain · 13/03/2023 20:11

Having had a DS who became quite unwell over a period of a few months, I would weigh your son now and do it every couple if weeks to make sure he us just growing upwards and not losing weight. It took us a while to convince the professionals there was anything wrong with DS because we had no data.

highstep · 13/03/2023 20:16

@BaffledOnceAgain hope he's ok now

Original poster

Itsmyturnnow1 · 13/03/2023 21:45

BaffledOnceAgain · 13/03/2023 20:11

Having had a DS who became quite unwell over a period of a few months, I would weigh your son now and do it every couple if weeks to make sure he us just growing upwards and not losing weight. It took us a while to convince the professionals there was anything wrong with DS because we had no data.

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that about your DS. I do hope he’s ok. That’s worried me a bit though! I hope it’s just he’s growing up hence the slimming out!

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Untitledsquatboulder · 13/03/2023 22:19

To echo a previous poster it is weight loss or growth coming to a halt that really get doctors alarm bells ringing. If your ds is growing taller and not losing weight then it is unlikely that there is any cause for concern.

BaffledOnceAgain · 14/03/2023 00:04

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. You should be able to reassure yourself quite quickly if you weigh him for a few weeks.

My youngest DS stretched out at age 4 and moved down from 91st centile to the 50th for weight,
which fitted in with our family stature much more. Ds1 ended up having multiple food allergies and it took a long time to help him gain weight. He's still very slim in his teens, but has finally and remarkably outgrown the allergies.

Original poster

Itsmyturnnow1 · 14/03/2023 07:10

BaffledOnceAgain · 14/03/2023 00:04

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. You should be able to reassure yourself quite quickly if you weigh him for a few weeks.

My youngest DS stretched out at age 4 and moved down from 91st centile to the 50th for weight,
which fitted in with our family stature much more. Ds1 ended up having multiple food allergies and it took a long time to help him gain weight. He's still very slim in his teens, but has finally and remarkably outgrown the allergies.

Ok thank you that’s good to know! He has stayed the same weight in two months but got taller. So I’ll continue to weigh him! Am glad your boy is ok now x

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