PDA

View Full Version : Small for their ages......


Tanya Makins
September 12th 03, 11:34 AM
Hello,

Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
babies/toddlers their own age?

Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.
When I see other babies at school it amazes me, they can be only half their
age and twice as big!!!
Personally, I think its sweet, they're babies for a lot longer, but does it
cause a problem if they're still really small when they start nursery.....
you know how kids can be!!

Just another paranoia, I think we worry far too much about them as long as
they're healthy who cares!! I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
problems :)

Tanya

Cindy Wells
September 12th 03, 04:09 PM
Check with their doctor but usually the guide is "are they steadily
gaining weight and height overtime". Beyond that, you look for healthy
height and weight combinations. When you are dealing with children whose
parents are small, they frequently will be on the low side of the
growth charts for their age - even without being preemies.

My dad is the smallest in his family and mom is also tiny. When I was
in grade school (age 7 IIRC), my cousin (age 2) was nearly as tall as I
was and probably outweighed me. However, even though we were on
different sides of the growth charts for our respective ages, all were
healthy and had consistent gains over time.

Cindy Wells
(who grew up to be taller and heavier than mom but smaller than dad;
we just figure that mom's genetics had a bigger factor in the
growth patterns for all three children. All members of mom's family are
short; dad's heigh and weight are related to childhood health issues,
not my grandparents' genetics.)

Cindy Wells
September 12th 03, 04:09 PM
Check with their doctor but usually the guide is "are they steadily
gaining weight and height overtime". Beyond that, you look for healthy
height and weight combinations. When you are dealing with children whose
parents are small, they frequently will be on the low side of the
growth charts for their age - even without being preemies.

My dad is the smallest in his family and mom is also tiny. When I was
in grade school (age 7 IIRC), my cousin (age 2) was nearly as tall as I
was and probably outweighed me. However, even though we were on
different sides of the growth charts for our respective ages, all were
healthy and had consistent gains over time.

Cindy Wells
(who grew up to be taller and heavier than mom but smaller than dad;
we just figure that mom's genetics had a bigger factor in the
growth patterns for all three children. All members of mom's family are
short; dad's heigh and weight are related to childhood health issues,
not my grandparents' genetics.)

September 12th 03, 05:03 PM
As long as they're healthy is the primary issue, imho. One singleton we
know is barely on the charts, but is healthy, happy and otherwise normal.

There was a story on HGH (human growth hormone) in PEOPLE or ENTERTAINMENT
WEEKLY recently about kids who grew up to several inches upon receiving the
drug. Not sure how old they were or how long the growth took.

As a side note, children who are small for their age and ESPECIALLY twins -
are highly revered in the entertainment business - theoretically and older
child can then play younger and perform better, etc. There are also time
issues about how long kids of certain ages can work. (older can work
longer)

Gemstone Talent
www.GemTal.com

September 12th 03, 05:03 PM
As long as they're healthy is the primary issue, imho. One singleton we
know is barely on the charts, but is healthy, happy and otherwise normal.

There was a story on HGH (human growth hormone) in PEOPLE or ENTERTAINMENT
WEEKLY recently about kids who grew up to several inches upon receiving the
drug. Not sure how old they were or how long the growth took.

As a side note, children who are small for their age and ESPECIALLY twins -
are highly revered in the entertainment business - theoretically and older
child can then play younger and perform better, etc. There are also time
issues about how long kids of certain ages can work. (older can work
longer)

Gemstone Talent
www.GemTal.com

Andrea
September 12th 03, 09:26 PM
>Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
>babies/toddlers their own age?

My ped. said that by 2 years most pre-term children have caught up and their
growth/weight can be charted like other children their age. Until my girls
were 2 she always charted them for their corrected age and their actual age.

>Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
>weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
>babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.

Those are good birth weights for being 5 weeks early. The most important thing
is that they are growing and gaining weight. I understand you being concerned
though. Jordan is still only 27 pounds (my twins will be 3 1/2 years old in
10 days), but she is tall and is healthy so the ped. isn't concerned about her.
I do wish she would gain a little weight, but she's always been thin.

>I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
>problems :)

That could be another reason your children may be on the small side. How tall
is your dh?

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 yrs. old

Andrea
September 12th 03, 09:26 PM
>Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
>babies/toddlers their own age?

My ped. said that by 2 years most pre-term children have caught up and their
growth/weight can be charted like other children their age. Until my girls
were 2 she always charted them for their corrected age and their actual age.

>Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
>weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
>babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.

Those are good birth weights for being 5 weeks early. The most important thing
is that they are growing and gaining weight. I understand you being concerned
though. Jordan is still only 27 pounds (my twins will be 3 1/2 years old in
10 days), but she is tall and is healthy so the ped. isn't concerned about her.
I do wish she would gain a little weight, but she's always been thin.

>I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
>problems :)

That could be another reason your children may be on the small side. How tall
is your dh?

Andrea
twin girls-Jordan & Madison
3 yrs. old

KimandJuan
September 12th 03, 10:40 PM
> Jordan is still only 27 pounds (my twins will be 3 1/2 years old in
>10 days),

I wouldn't be concerned at all. Alexis is now 4 and she is only 30 lb. I
remember her being 28 lb for a long time. then all of a sudden she had a 2 lb
growth spurt.

~Kimberly
Mommy to Alexis Iliana 07/17/99 and
Emma Elidia & Aislyn Gabriela 10/01/02
come see us...
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aislynemma/

KimandJuan
September 12th 03, 10:40 PM
> Jordan is still only 27 pounds (my twins will be 3 1/2 years old in
>10 days),

I wouldn't be concerned at all. Alexis is now 4 and she is only 30 lb. I
remember her being 28 lb for a long time. then all of a sudden she had a 2 lb
growth spurt.

~Kimberly
Mommy to Alexis Iliana 07/17/99 and
Emma Elidia & Aislyn Gabriela 10/01/02
come see us...
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aislynemma/

Julie Seely
September 14th 03, 02:06 AM
KimandJuan wrote:
>
>
> If I plot Molly's growth at 14 months old and at 19 lb. she appears to be in
> the 14th percentile. So for her adjusted age of 14 months 86 percent of girls
> in America her age weigh more than she does. I would just say that she is
> petite, like her mommy.
>


Kim -

Since the babies were 5 *weeks* premature, you would adjust to 18
months, not 14 months.

Julie

Julie Seely
September 14th 03, 02:06 AM
KimandJuan wrote:
>
>
> If I plot Molly's growth at 14 months old and at 19 lb. she appears to be in
> the 14th percentile. So for her adjusted age of 14 months 86 percent of girls
> in America her age weigh more than she does. I would just say that she is
> petite, like her mommy.
>


Kim -

Since the babies were 5 *weeks* premature, you would adjust to 18
months, not 14 months.

Julie

Julie Seely
September 14th 03, 02:31 AM
Tanya --

My kids were similar to yours. Chris and Erica were born at 34w5d.
Chris weighed 5-7, Erica weighed 4-13. At one year (not adjusted) they
were 18-6 and 15-11. At 18 months they were 21-14 and 19-3. They are
now six years old, and still small for their age -- Erica is a bit shy
of 44" and 37 pounds; Chris is about 45" and 39 pounds. This puts Erica
in approximately the 10th percentile for weight, and 25th for height.
She is the shortest in her class, which does bother her a bit, but with
a July birthday, she and Chris are also among the youngest, so that's
not surprising.

With the current prevalence of health problems caused by excess weight,
I'm happy for them that they are not struggling with that. They weigh
less COMBINED than a couple of their classmates. I can still pick them
both up at the same time, which I would probably not be able to do if
they were big for their age.

Julie
Mom to Erica & Chris, 07/97


Tanya Makins wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
> babies/toddlers their own age?
>
> Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
> weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
> babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.
> When I see other babies at school it amazes me, they can be only half their
> age and twice as big!!!
> Personally, I think its sweet, they're babies for a lot longer, but does it
> cause a problem if they're still really small when they start nursery.....
> you know how kids can be!!
>
> Just another paranoia, I think we worry far too much about them as long as
> they're healthy who cares!! I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
> problems :)
>
> Tanya

Julie Seely
September 14th 03, 02:31 AM
Tanya --

My kids were similar to yours. Chris and Erica were born at 34w5d.
Chris weighed 5-7, Erica weighed 4-13. At one year (not adjusted) they
were 18-6 and 15-11. At 18 months they were 21-14 and 19-3. They are
now six years old, and still small for their age -- Erica is a bit shy
of 44" and 37 pounds; Chris is about 45" and 39 pounds. This puts Erica
in approximately the 10th percentile for weight, and 25th for height.
She is the shortest in her class, which does bother her a bit, but with
a July birthday, she and Chris are also among the youngest, so that's
not surprising.

With the current prevalence of health problems caused by excess weight,
I'm happy for them that they are not struggling with that. They weigh
less COMBINED than a couple of their classmates. I can still pick them
both up at the same time, which I would probably not be able to do if
they were big for their age.

Julie
Mom to Erica & Chris, 07/97


Tanya Makins wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
> babies/toddlers their own age?
>
> Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
> weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
> babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.
> When I see other babies at school it amazes me, they can be only half their
> age and twice as big!!!
> Personally, I think its sweet, they're babies for a lot longer, but does it
> cause a problem if they're still really small when they start nursery.....
> you know how kids can be!!
>
> Just another paranoia, I think we worry far too much about them as long as
> they're healthy who cares!! I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
> problems :)
>
> Tanya

KimandJuan
September 14th 03, 02:53 AM
DUh! Sorry, I can't believe I did that. Glad you caught it. I will have to
look at it again when I have a chance.


~Kimberly
Mommy to Alexis Iliana 07/17/99 and
Emma Elidia & Aislyn Gabriela 10/01/02
come see us...
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aislynemma/

KimandJuan
September 14th 03, 02:53 AM
DUh! Sorry, I can't believe I did that. Glad you caught it. I will have to
look at it again when I have a chance.


~Kimberly
Mommy to Alexis Iliana 07/17/99 and
Emma Elidia & Aislyn Gabriela 10/01/02
come see us...
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aislynemma/

Tanya Makins
September 15th 03, 10:38 AM
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyones responses, I think that yes,
they are small for their age, even their corrected age, but they are slowly
growing and their energy levels are amazing they look healthy so I'm not
going to worry too much about the graphs - I'll just go on instincts!!!
Thanks again everybody,

Tanya
(Charley & Molly 18.2.02)

Tanya Makins > wrote in message
...
> Hello,
>
> Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
> babies/toddlers their own age?
>
> Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
> weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
> babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.
> When I see other babies at school it amazes me, they can be only half
their
> age and twice as big!!!
> Personally, I think its sweet, they're babies for a lot longer, but does
it
> cause a problem if they're still really small when they start nursery.....
> you know how kids can be!!
>
> Just another paranoia, I think we worry far too much about them as long as
> they're healthy who cares!! I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
> problems :)
>
> Tanya
>
>
>

Tanya Makins
September 15th 03, 10:38 AM
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyones responses, I think that yes,
they are small for their age, even their corrected age, but they are slowly
growing and their energy levels are amazing they look healthy so I'm not
going to worry too much about the graphs - I'll just go on instincts!!!
Thanks again everybody,

Tanya
(Charley & Molly 18.2.02)

Tanya Makins > wrote in message
...
> Hello,
>
> Does anyone know at what sort of ages twins look as big as other
> babies/toddlers their own age?
>
> Charley and Molly are now 19 months old, they were 5 weeks premature
> weighing in at Charley 5lb 2oz and Molly 4lb 7oz. They are very healthy
> babies but Molly is still only just over 19lbs and Charley about 20.5 lbs.
> When I see other babies at school it amazes me, they can be only half
their
> age and twice as big!!!
> Personally, I think its sweet, they're babies for a lot longer, but does
it
> cause a problem if they're still really small when they start nursery.....
> you know how kids can be!!
>
> Just another paranoia, I think we worry far too much about them as long as
> they're healthy who cares!! I'm only 5ft tall and I've never had any
> problems :)
>
> Tanya
>
>
>