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Parenting

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Original poster

Feel like I'm getting things wrong!

18 replies

hideandseekpig · 03/03/2015 18:58

I have a gorgeous happy little 1 year old dd. She has always been tiny on the 9th percentile. Today I got her weighed and it was a different HV who noted that my dd hasn't put any weight on in a month. I mentioned that she had started walking a month ago so might that be why and she sort of agreed but said I should make sure I feed her more!

I don't know how to feed her more...She eats 3 meals a day and usually has a few snacks too and probably 1 or 2 cups of full fat milk. She sleeps through the night she doesn't wake up hungry. She has bundles of energy. Surely she's fine??

I also mentioned she's been a little constipated recently and cries when she has a poo sometimes. I wanted some advice on how to get her to drink more as I'm not sure if she does. But I didn't really get any advice so wondered if anyone can help how do you get a 1 year old to drink more!?

I feel like I'm getting all of it wrong and not giving her enough food or drink which is pretty fundamental!

Any advice appreciated

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Rockchick1984 · 03/03/2015 19:16

You're doing fine! If you hadn't had her weighed would you be worried - if not then honestly don't stress about it.

What sort of cup are you using for drinks? My DD will only drink out of an adult (open) glass or cup, she hates all sippy cups, so I'd try a few different types. Also try to increase her intake of foods with a high water content.

The best bit of advice my HV ever gave me was that by worrying if I'm doing something right, that shows that I'm concerned, which is the most important part of getting parenting right!

Original poster

hideandseekpig · 03/03/2015 20:20

Thanks she has sippy cups maybe I will try an open cup then I thought it might be too messy !

And I wasn't worried really I mean I knew she was tiny but she's so energetic I figure she must be eating enough. ..

OP posts:

Bedsheets4knickers · 03/03/2015 20:27

You would know if she wasn't eating enough as she would be irritable, not sleeping . Taking you to the fridge . Health visitors are 50/50 in my book. Some are useful some or not x

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daluze · 03/03/2015 20:30

She sounds absolutely fine. You can try giving a splash of orange juice in water to ease constipation.
There is no need for frequent weighing of child at that age, unless problems are suspected. All children are different and someone has to be on the 9th centile!
If she doesn't like drinking, you may try to get more fluids with meals. My DS loved soups at this age (still does). Also, of you drink at the same time, she might bd tempted to copy.
Good luck and you are doing great job!

Original poster

hideandseekpig · 03/03/2015 20:36

I have been giving a bit of Prune juice foe the constipation which does help but we don't get through it as nobody else likes it! I didn't know orange juice would do the same so thanks I'll try that

Soup definitely a good idea. She does have milk on weetabix and porridge (I add extra to cool it so it's quite wet ) she also eats juicy oranges quite a lot !

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Lonz · 03/03/2015 21:42

HVs always do this. I always felt crap when I came out of one of their appointments.
Mine said my son hadn't put any weight on and I can assure you I didn't starve him, ha, then months later she said he was a bit over weight! He was a chunky baby, but so was I and my brother. It didn't bother me (this was coming from someone who said I have no time for housework, baby needs 24/7 attention!). I didn't listen to them anyway (most of them probably don't even have kids)

You sound like you're doing a good job. Take what they say with a pinch of salt. They got it out of a textbook but you have a real baby!

Does your daughter drink juice, like cordial? Don't get the baby juice they sell, it's really sweet.
Maybe you could try and get her to eat a lot of fruit and veg too, smoothies perhaps. It's fibre that's needed for No#2, ha!

Original poster

hideandseekpig · 03/03/2015 22:30

lonz You've reminded me of something else the HV confusingly said...don't give her too much fruit and veg as she'll poo too much! I said yes but she is a bit constipated. .. needless to say I am going to ignore that advice!

Anyway, she only has water and milk at the moment sometimes Prune juice!

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Original poster

hideandseekpig · 03/03/2015 22:31

I didn't explain that ...She was worried my dd poos too much and that's why she isn't putting on weight!

OP posts:

MigGril · 03/03/2015 22:43

Be careful of giving to much fiber to young children can often have the opersit effect. Avoid high fiber foods like whole meal bread as they can actually cause constipation.

Your right to give more fluids, a small amount of diluted fruit juice is a good idea. fruits like raisins or apricots can help to.

Lonz · 04/03/2015 13:29

To be honest my son was a bit steady with his weight at that age. And I've heard bananas can cause constipation..? I always thought they did the opposite.

(HVs... they think babies should be constantly gaining weight and growing blahblahblah... the crap that trails out their mouths whilst they're sitting there yawning... mine did anyway! they wind me up!)

Original poster

hideandseekpig · 04/03/2015 22:06

Yes I heard that about bananas which is a shame cos she loves them. But she has been fine today poo wise actually! I've been really trying to encourage her to drink more so not sure if that's helping or if it was just one of those things. Her nappies feel nice and wet when I change them so I'm fairly sure she is drinking enough

I'm just always going to have these wobbles of am I doing this right aren't I!? Why don't the come with a manual? !

OP posts:

flipflopsonfifthavenue · 05/03/2015 19:02

I give DS1 pears when he's constipated

trilbydoll · 05/03/2015 19:07

DD likes drinking with a straw so that might be worth a try. My other technique for getting water in her is making jelly.

I would have thought if she was hungry, she wouldn't sleep through, and she'd be a whinge bag all day. So it sounds like she is doing ok!

NoraRobertsismyguiltypleasure · 05/03/2015 19:08

I wouldn't worry about the non-weight too much. My HV said that as long as they seems healthy and have plenty or energy and are growing then it's not a big problem. My DD (now 2.4yrs) used to have months where she wouldn't put anything on. She started on the 25th percentile and has stayed there. It takes her ages to grow out of clothes and shoes. She hasn't had to change nappy sizes since about 10 months. She also eats 3 good meals a day, snacks and has a couple of cups of milk a day.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 05/03/2015 19:22

I had exactly the same thing and it was at the stage where my ds was just learning to walk. I increased butter, cheese , olive oil in cooking etc and he gained a little, he is very very active !

As for constipation , it is something that runs in my family, we all have it. Best remedy from babyhood is stew an apple in some water , no need to add sugar. Dilute the cooking water and drink when it is warm, and eat the stewed apple . I guarantee lots of poos!

Original poster

hideandseekpig · 05/03/2015 19:51

Thanks for the constipation advice I'll know what to try next time!

And it's good to hear she's not the only one not growing out of clothes or nappies!

OP posts:

purplemurple1 · 06/03/2015 15:10

If you do get worried about her weight (ie she drops centiles) I'd just go for higher cals as its easier than getting in a larger quantity, also kids need more fat than adults.
Things like avocado, butter on veggies/in mash, cream and potatoes in soups, extra milk to drink during the day etc.

Not saying you need to btw, as the others have said some kids have to be small thats how the percentiles work.

seaoflove · 06/03/2015 15:13

Don't hesitate to get her to the GP if you feel her constipation isn't improving with extra fluids or diet. Sometimes a bit of Lactulose syrup can make such a difference, and you'll avoid a situation with a toddler withholding poo due to fear of pain (which of course makes constipation so much worse).

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