Having small babies can be an interesting and sometimes challenging journey. My two little ones, whom I affectionately refer to as my “little sparrows,” were born on the smaller side of the growth charts. With long limbs and delicate frames, they resembled tiny birds rather than the typical roly-poly infants. While I was relieved to deliver 6-pounders, keeping their weight up quickly became a top priority. Living at a high elevation, where many babies appear smaller, gave me some peace of mind. At baby story hour, I often noticed that most children were on the leaner side, making me wonder why they seemed so petite. Perhaps the altitude made them burn calories faster as they struggled for oxygen – I only wish that worked for me!
Over time, I’ve learned some essential truths about raising small children:
- You’ll often receive unsolicited questions about their feeding habits. Yes, I feed them! I spend countless hours pondering their nutrition, and even when the doctor reassures me that they are growing according to their own curve, the worry doesn’t stop.
- You’ll constantly question the quality of your breast milk. I often wondered, “Is it mostly water?” This leads to justifying indulgent food choices like desserts and bacon, thinking they might somehow enhance the richness of my milk.
- Babywearing becomes a lifelong commitment. You might find yourself effortlessly carrying them around until they head off to college.
- To help them gain weight, you’ll try everything, including adding olive oil to their oatmeal or mixing avocados and bananas into their meals. You’ll become a calorie-counting expert, and full-fat ice cream will become a staple in your household.
- The day they finally make it onto the weight chart will feel monumental. I remember when my daughter hit the second percentile at almost two years old – there may have been tears of joy.
- Finding clothes that fit can be a struggle. At age ten, my son finally fits into clothes that correspond with his age for the first time. I always thought other kids must be giants based on the sizes available.
- They’ll start running before you’re fully prepared. With no extra weight to hold them back, they’ll take off sprinting at a surprising age, leading to many exhausting adventures.
- Your own mother may worry even more than you do. Mine was particularly anxious about my kids’ size. She has a penchant for feeding others and found it hard to accept that mine weren’t the chubby babies she envisioned.
- You’ll gaze in awe at the chubby arms of your friends’ babies. I remember seeing deep creases on a friend’s child’s arms and thinking, “What do you do with all that during bath time?”
- You’ll discover that only certain brands cater to thin waistlines, thanks to adjustable tabs.
- Their bathing suits can last for years – my daughter still wears a 2T swimsuit bottom as she approaches six.
- Your child might get frustrated when strangers misjudge their age, leading to some awkward moments in public.
- When they fall ill and refuse to eat, your anxiety will spike. Those moments are nerve-wracking, as they can’t afford to lose any weight that took so much effort to gain.
- Teaching a small child to swim can be a challenge, as they might just sink! My daughter has left many swim instructors puzzled with her unique swimming style.
- Their lightweight hugs are the best, and they fit snugly in your lap for an impressively long time.
If you have a petite baby or toddler, rest assured that the worries about weight will eventually fade. As they grow older, you’ll find that people care less about their size, and your focus will shift to ensuring they don’t eat too many green vegetables. Plus, I’m confident they’ll eventually master swimming – though I’m still waiting for that day to arrive.
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In summary, parenting small children comes with its own set of unique challenges and joys. From unexpected comments to creative feeding strategies, each day brings new adventures. As they grow, the worries will diminish, leaving room for laughter and cherished memories.