[melrose09]

So...Sully is small (2nd-3rd percentile) but I'm little..4'11, 89 pounds and my husband is no giant 5'8" 160 lbs. But at least once a day, I total stranger makes a comment on how little he is and the other day someone had the audacity to tell "Just feed him more and his DEFICITS will correct itself." This was on Friday and I'm still bothered by it. Sully's doc had me write down everything he eats for 2 weeks and we go for weight checks monthly, but she has no worries whatsoever since he's reached all the developmental milestones. She said she just want to monitor him for the next few months to create a more accurate growth chart for him since he's below the 5th percentile and that's something she does for all babies below the 5th and about the 95th.

SO I guess the advice I'm seeking is how to 1) control myself not punching people in the face when they try to tell me there's something wrong with my peanut butter bear and 2) do you think I should be worrying about his size? I mean, he is unbelievably strong....like can hold a flexed arm hang for a few seconds and is bright and a light, but with all these people commenting, it's hard to not feel worried!

[mommy_jackie]

I had/have the same issues with my 6yr old. He's tiny! He's the size of a 4 yr old. And he's always been tiny so ever since he was about 1 I had to take him for monthly weigh ins. I had to write down everything he ate. They suggested feeding him foods with more fat. But he stayed tiny and we gave up and just accepted he's gonna be small cause I'm only 4'9 and 103 lbs so he got it from me. I'm so tired of hearing peoples comments too including friends...always saying why is he so small and why don't I feed him more.

Now Jaideliz is on the chunkier side, she's been in the 75-90th percentile for weight so I'm glad. At her 6 month appt she was 17.5 lbs. But I constantly worry that she'll suddenly drop on the growth chart and go thru the same as my son.

Sorry I blabbed too much. Anyways the best advice I can give is to ignore the stupid comments. You know he's healthy and eating good so your doing everything you can. It's easier said then done cause I know I beat myself up over it for so long. But just try not to worry.

[jjc99]

well, as us shorties know, it's not easy being small. And now after years and years of hearing it directed at us, we have to hear it directed at our LOs - and defend them. So, I don't have any specefic advice. I just hope Viv is over 5'2".

you can say what I say about myself - if it wasn't for short (tiny) people, there'd be no tall (big) people! Say Sully is great. If that doesn't work, tell them to f off.

[Mama2Miracles]

I have the same issue! Isabelle is 3rd percentile weight and 10th percentile height. My ped keeps saying she needs 'catch up' growth from being preemie but I really think she's JUST small. I have no worries for her, all her milestones have been fine, but people's comments annoy me sometimes.

[razzledobe]

Yeah just tell people that all babies are different and your Dr thinks she is doing great.

[angeleyes04]

I always respond with "Well I think they are perfect the way they are". That shuts them up super quick.

My SIL is always comparing her chubby 8 week old (he's already 13 lbs and was smaller than my twins at birth) with my 8 month old girls who are barely at the 16 lb mark and still in 6 month clothes. Makes me sick. Almost makes me feel like my kids are malnourished or something.

All babies are different, people need to stfu and keep their opinions to themselves.

[zkat]

My husband is small - 5'6" and 130 lbs so the few times I have gotten comments on B's size, I just say "Have you seen his parents? I don't think it is in his genetics to be a linebacker" If they keep on, then I tell them "His doctor said he is perfect" Sorry people are so freaking rude! If your doctor is not worried, then tell people to buzz off

Kat.

[KDD]

Nathan is at the bottom of the charts for weight too. My SIL said that I should start him on whole milk right away because he needs the fat. I often remark when people make comments that "he is bigger than I was at that age" or "he's nearly triple his birth weight".

[melrose09]

thanks for the reassurance everyone. I told Sullivan I'm throwing him a party when he hits 16 pounds. I don't know why, I just feel like people will shut up when they hear that. not that 16 pounds it big, but it just sounds bigger than 15 lbs 8 oz. Maybe I'll just start rounding up. Or when people ask how much he weight I'll just say "enough" or I'll ask them to tell me how much they weigh first.

[Jamiesquared]

If it makes you feel any better people ALWAYS comment on how tall and big my little guy is! He isnt even chunky less than 50% percentile lol but 90% percentile on height. Anyways it is annoying to me and I laugh sort of ignore them. I bet people say are you feeding that kid if they are small and I get oh you feed him too much. Some people just shouldnt open their mouths

[617ebony]

Kaliyah was a bit underweight the first few months and some people made comments that she's not big enough, she's a peanut etc. I told them if they felt that 40oz of breastmilk/formula per day wasn't enough their suggestions would be welcome. They shut up after that.

[mom2myJo's]

I don't know if this will make you feel better but I am actually dealing with the opposite problem. My son and daughter are above the 95%tile and I am only 5'2'' but my husband is 6'1'' and I have tall family members. I usually tell them my kids are happy and healthy and if that doesn't work then I tell them to f off. I usually get the "you're feeding them too much" and it doesn't help that I am obese so they think I am harming my children even though my son doesn't eat a whole lot and has only gained 2.5 pounds since he was 18 months old and is now 3. He is 3, he looks and wears a 5T and is a year behind developmentally. Jocelyn is 8 months, wears 18 month clothes and acts her age. I get the whole, "we think there is something wrong with your kids" speech too. I just wish people would mind their own business.

[RahRah]

I get comments all the time on how chunky Daegan is but it doesn't bother me because I know he is going to slim out, and he's not even THAT big. My old boss' sister has a 2 year old that weighs 23 pounds, and WIC told her to start feeding her BUTTER because she was too little.

[melrose09]

Butter? seriously? Sheesh! Can't people understand that we're all different sizes? It's absurd! One of my best friends has a baby 2 months younger than Sully and he's 5 pounds heavier and 2 inches longer. He's a BIG boy, but he's just as happy and healthy as can be. She's been getting comments on how big her boy is and they bother her. We like to do stuff together a lot (swimming classes for one) and people are pretty amazed at the size/age difference. But both of our little monsters are more than perfect!

[martilynne]

Originally Posted by Jamiesquared

If it makes you feel any better people ALWAYS comment on how tall and big my little guy is! He isnt even chunky less than 50% percentile lol but 90% percentile on height. Anyways it is annoying to me and I laugh sort of ignore them. I bet people say are you feeding that kid if they are small and I get oh you feed him too much. Some people just shouldnt open their mouths

I get the same with Jax and he's in the 20th percentile for weight! People are just stupid. I just smile, nod and walk away when people make their comments

[Stellas Mommy]

Stella is in the 7th percentile. I get comments all the time asking how old she is and when I tell them they are all like...wow shes small for her age or, how much do you feed her. And you know what I tell them? I feed her as much as she wants to eat, shes just a small baby and thats ok because I can carry her around longer. lol

I hate the comments but oh well...its apart of life right?

[ImustBeNuts06]

People always feel the need to throw in their two cents. I know it's really tough to ignore when you constantly hear these things, but you can't let it eat at you. If your doctor isn't worried, try not to worry. When he is a teenager, eating you out of house and home, you will look back at this and laugh.

As for responding to people's comments.... Tell them that he has a pediatrician that is quite happy with his growth. I actually have the opposite problem. ALL of my kids have been very large 95-100%...a few off the charts. Clara is a big girl...95% for height, weight, head circ. Her doctor tells me to ignore anyone that makes stupid comments, because she is perfectly proportioned. I have once went off on a lady at WIC because she told me that my child (with an eating disorder) was overweight. Seriously, don't mess with Momma Bear.

If THAT still doesn't work, maybe you could start pointing out their flaws. "Wow...that is one heck of a honker on your face. That can't be normal. Maybe you should look into rhinoplasty??"

[Ilovbnamomx3]

I have been sick of the small comments for a long time! My older 3 boys were big.. and I always got those comments too. For some reason though, someone saying they have a 3 month old as big as my 8 mo old (at the time) really pisses me off!