Both of my little ones were mini marvels—tiny, delicate beings who barely registered on the growth charts. I affectionately referred to them as my little chicks, with scrawny limbs that truly gave them a bird-like appearance. There were no chubby cheeks or plush bellies here; they were lean and sprightly. While I was grateful to have delivered those manageable 6-pounders, post-birth, my worries shifted to ensuring they gained enough weight.
Living at a high elevation, I found some comfort in the fact that many babies around us seemed smaller too. During library story hours, it was common to see toddlers wandering around on skinny legs, their diapers sagging. I often wondered why they appeared so tiny—perhaps they were burning calories rapidly while acclimating to the thinner air. If only that worked for me!
Over the years, I’ve learned several essential truths about parenting small children:
- Strangers will constantly inquire if you’re feeding them. Of course, I am! My life revolves around meal planning for them. Even when a doctor reassures you that your child is on their unique growth trajectory, the inner overachiever will still want them to gain weight.
- You’ll obsess over the quality of your breast milk. I often thought, “Is this just water?” Justifying indulgences like desserts and bacon becomes a routine—surely that makes my milk richer, right?
- You’ll find yourself babywearing them until they’re practically ready for college.
- You’ll go to great lengths to pack on the pounds, pouring olive oil into their oatmeal and sneaking avocados and cheese into every meal. You’ll become a calorie-counting expert, and your kids will be no strangers to full-fat ice cream.
- You’ll celebrate any milestone, like the day they finally make it onto the weight chart. My daughter reached the second percentile by age two; I may or may not have shed tears of joy.
- Clothes will rarely fit them properly. At ten, my son finally fits into age-appropriate sizes for the first time in his life. I used to think all other kids were giants because their clothes looked enormous compared to mine.
- Be ready for them to start running much sooner than you anticipate. Lighter babies tend to take off sprinting before you’ve had a chance to catch your breath. Mobile 9-month-olds with no decision-making skills make for some wild adventures.
- Your mother will likely worry more than you do. My mom, a passionate feeder, stressed over their size, which in turn stressed me out.
- You’ll marvel at the adorable rolls of fat on other babies. I once saw a friend’s child with actual creases on her arms, and I wondered how to handle all those folds during bath time.
- You’ll only be able to buy pants from brands that offer adjustable waists.
- They’ll wear the same bathing suit for years. My daughter still fits into a 2T swimsuit bottom, and she’s about to turn 6! True story.
- Expect your child to get frustrated when strangers misjudge their age. This can lead to some awkward grocery store encounters.
- When they fall ill and refuse to eat, it will be incredibly stressful. Those days are tough because they can’t afford to lose any of the precious weight you meticulously worked to put on them.
- Teaching a child with no body fat to swim can be quite challenging; they just keep sinking! My daughter has left many swim instructors scratching their heads.
- Those skinny-arm hugs are the best, and they’ll fit snugly in your lap for a long time.
If you’re navigating life with a petite baby or toddler, take heart: the unsolicited comments will eventually fade. As they grow, people become less concerned about their weight or growth percentiles. You’ll start to focus less on every calorie they consume and more on ensuring they eat their greens (which is a whole other battle!).
And who knows? They might just learn to swim eventually!
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Summary
Raising a small baby comes with its own unique set of challenges and joys. From dealing with unsolicited advice to creative meal hacks aimed at boosting their weight, parents of petite children often find themselves in a whirlwind of concern and celebration. With time, the worries lessen, and the focus shifts to ensuring their overall health and happiness.
Keyphrase: Raising a small baby
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