Both of my children were incredibly small, barely making a mark on the growth charts, and I often affectionately referred to them as my little sparrows. With their long, slender limbs, they indeed resembled tiny birds. No round bellies or chubby cheeks here; instead, they were lean little bundles of joy. While I was grateful for the easier deliveries of my six-pound babies, post-birth, I was consumed with the challenge of keeping weight on them.
Living at a high altitude, I found some solace in the fact that many babies in our area are on the smaller side. During library story time, I would notice most toddlers waddling around on thin legs, their clothes sagging as they played. It seems that by the time they hit school age, they all catch up, but it’s a mystery why infants appear so tiny. One theory is that they expend so much energy trying to inhale enough oxygen that they shed any extra fat. If only that worked for me!
Over the years, I’ve learned several key truths about raising small children:
- Prepare for questions about their feeding habits. Yes, I feed them! I constantly think about their nutrition, and even when the pediatrician reassures me they’re on their own growth trajectory, I can’t help but want to see them gain more weight.
- You’ll find yourself obsessing over the quality of your breast milk. I often wondered, “Is this just water?” Justifying my dessert cravings, I convinced myself that indulging in bacon and sweets would enrich my milk.
- Babywearing becomes a long-term commitment; you can carry them until they head off to college.
- You’ll resort to unconventional methods to fatten them up, like adding olive oil to their oatmeal or mixing avocados, bananas, and cheese into everything. You’ll become a calorie-counting expert, and full-fat ice cream will be a regular treat.
- The day they finally appear on the weight chart will feel monumental. I still remember how my daughter reached the second percentile at almost two years old, and yes, I may have shed a tear.
- Finding clothes that fit can be a challenge. My son, at age ten, finally wore clothes that matched his age for the first time. I used to think all other kids were giants because the sizes seemed so enormous.
- They’ll start running before you’re ready. My kids took off sprinting at around nine months, and let me tell you, a mobile baby with no sense of danger leads to a lot of heart-pounding moments.
- Your own mother will likely worry more than you do. Mine was always anxious about their size, constantly wanting to feed them and hoping they would look more robust, which only added to my stress.
- You’ll marvel at the pudgy limbs of your friends’ babies. I remember seeing a friend’s child with adorable rolls on her arms and was left wondering how that worked during bath time.
- You’ll be restricted to brands of pants that feature adjustable waist tabs.
- Your child might be able to wear the same swimsuit for years. My daughter is still rocking a 2T bottom at nearly six years old—no joke.
- Expect some meltdowns when strangers misjudge their age. Grocery store trips can get awkward fast.
- When they fall ill and refuse to eat, it’s a nightmare. Their weight is precious, and seeing them lose any is heart-wrenching.
- Teaching a child with no body fat to swim is a test of patience; they seem to just sink! My daughter has left many swim instructors puzzled.
- Their skinny-armed hugs are the best, and they will fit perfectly in your lap for a surprisingly long time.
If you’re navigating the world with a smaller baby or toddler, rest assured that the well-meaning comments will eventually fade. They will grow, and as they do, weight concerns will matter less to those around you. You’ll start to focus less on the calories they consume and more on ensuring they eat some greens.
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Summary:
Raising a small baby comes with its unique challenges and worries, from constant questions about their feeding to the difficulty of finding clothes that fit. As parents, we often obsess over their weight and growth, but with time, these concerns lessen. Ultimately, the joy of their hugs and the milestones they reach make the journey worthwhile.