Need help/advice on Toddler weight

[ttcbaby2007]

My 2 year old weighs 44lbs as of today I was told to keep him on the diet but be more strict and lower food intake more and have him be outside running more.  

He eats normal toddler amounts (small portions of each)  and only 3 meals and 1-2 snacks depending.
and he's really Active runs a lot inside and outside no matter where he is he runs all over the place so I don't know how he's gaining so much..

he has to be under or about 30-35lbs to show we've got him losing weight. What can I do to help him lose weight before May?

Any advice will be Greatly appreciated

[Ecologic]

My boy will be 2 in May, he is at a normal weight for his age, 30 lbs. So your child should probably loose only 10 lbs to be within normal range.

As for food, my son does not digest fats correctly so for him iit means absolutely no fast food, no fries, no greassy hamburger, no sauces. We also stay away from candies. He can eat cheese, in moderation. He has 3 meals a day and 1 snack. No juice, No sodas because I don't like them - only for rare occasions he can have that. He drinks goat milk because he cannot digest cow milk, about 8-10 oz a day. Almond milk 3-4 oz a day. We are not big on dessers and he often simply has puffs at the end of his meals: he loves them!

Try to decrease the portions slowly, if he seems ok, that should help! Stay away from processed food, this tends to add useless calories.

Good luck - and yes you may want to have a 2nd opinion! And go see a pediatric dietician: they are used to help for this type of issues, more than a doctor.

[adgal]

Well, if your Dr. is telling you that he is 20lbs overweight, then your Dr. has a problem.  That would mean the Dr. is suggesting that at 2 he should weigh only 24 lbs?  Trust me, for a normal healthy 2 year old, 24lbs is underweight.  At 44 lbs I can understand them wanting him to lose a bit, but telling you 15 lbs by May?  This was posted in March, so that is only 2 months to lose 15lbs?  That is not a healthy rate of weight loss for a child that age and size.

Something is not right here. I would see a different Dr.  Then, in order to help him lose a bit at a healthy rate I truly would ask for a referral to a Pediatric Dietician.  Plus, I work in the field of social services and am also in Canada.  I asked someone I know who works in child apprehensions.  They do not take away kids here for being overweight.  Now, I am in Alberta and you are in Ontario, but I don't think it is that different.  I am truly concerned about what your Dr. is saying.  Telling you he should be 24 lbs is not good information. Please seek another opinion.

[ttcbaby2007]

It's his DOCTOR there telling me he is ruffly 20Lbs over weight as above I was told to put him on a diet. he has been on one since Jan I believe and is almost 8lbs + and hasn't lost any weight

[ttcbaby2007]

I removed most of what they said was the problem and he's up 2lbs we go in 14days for another weight in

[margypops]

May I ask who they are it sounds very ominous if you mean day care ..it sounds as if your child may have a genetic disposition to his size and frame . this disturbs me a lot ...that you can be told ' what to feed your child . At two years old he has to have food ,you sounds as if you are doing your best .Maybe you have to stand up to them as must all parents to keep control of their children ,Can you explain the issue further ?

[adgal]

Good grief, they would seriously call social services?  That is just insane.  Anyway, we have the opposite problem in my home.  My son just turned 2 and is 23 lbs.  He too eats healthy, but we have him on a high calorie diet.  That means I add things like butter and cheese to all meals. Lot's of gravies and sauces, etc.  So I would guess that perhaps you might try the opposite.  Wherever possible, remove the sauces, butter, cheese, etc.  Keep him active as you already do.  All you can do is the best you can, and honestly, all social services would do would be investigate to ensure....I have no idea what in this case.  I'm still dumbfounded that that would even happen.  I truly wouldn't worry to much though. Keep his snacks to things like fruit and cut down things like bread, etc.  I know this isn't easy as toddlers tend to have minds of their own in terms of what they will and won't eat, but just do your best.  You could also do what we are doing and work with a nutritionist. It's helping a great deal and I am learning a ton about the do's and don'ts of toddler feeding.  Best of luck to you.

[ttcbaby2007]

they can call social services if they feel his weight is to bad. thats what im most scared of I think. but he is healthy and active, I had a thought that he has gained muscle  but im not sure at this point.

I think he will lose a lot when he gets a growth spurt he's due for one anytime now from what I've been told so we will see i guess.

[specialmom]

Well, they can ask you to try but if it doesn't happen, they can't do anything to you, right?  

Do your best but I would not be afraid if it doesn't happen.  

do you feel he is healthy?  He is overweight but do you feel he is otherwise healthy?  

My friend took a lot of ribbing about her boy when he was two about him being so big---  but he is within normal now.  

Why are they not just trying to have him stay even without gaining rather than actually losing weight at 2??  ugh.

[ttcbaby2007]

Thank you for replying, His Daddy is pretty big and that's what I think is mainly it, he's not fat but tall and bulky,  He drinks water mainly cuz milk hurts his tummy unless I half and half it with water. He eats balanced healthy meals but there apparently not good enough.

May is what they gave me as a date to have him at least lose 5-15lbs by. they said he must lose something by then even if its 5-10lbs or the hole 15lb but it needs to be done.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  Well, kids are all so different and so many things go into weight for a little one.  A big part of it is simple genetics.  My son is opposite of yours, he's really small.  He weighs what your son does and is turning 7!!  He eats just fine-------  to be small is just his genetic make up.  What can you do about that??

So, they've put your boy on a diet?  Well, this happened to a dear friend of mine.  She had twins and one was like your son.  He really didn't have the best diet for a bit and her babysitter believed in making these huge lunches and he really would stuff himself and eat more than your average child.  That was a couple of years ago.  She cut down on sweets, juice and portion controlled the rest.  I don't think he lost weight but was just trying not to get too out of control.  He's just turned 6 and would be within normal.  She thinks (and I agree) that he genetically is a big kid but not abnormal.  

Why do you have to lose weight by May???  If you don't, what are they going to do???  I'd keep him on the healthy diet, manage his portion controls----  have him only drink milk and water (no juice), etc. But really to make a young child lose that kind of weight in two months seems tough.  

Just do your best dear.  good luck