Family Matters: Those Growth Spurts Do Slow Down!

In those early months, babies grow—and eat—at a tremendous rate. They nearly triple their weight and grow nearly 12 inches by their first birthday. It’s important to remember that this growth rate will slow down a bit after the first year. Babies will lose their “baby fat” and slim down a bit.

Preschoolers only need about half the calories per pound of body weight than babies do! If you’re not ready for it you may worry that your child is eating less and perhaps has a health issue.

Kids often go on ‘food kicks’ where they develop extremely picky habits, refusing to eat whole food groups, or insisting on eating the same food every day. For the most part, that’s really not anything to worry about, though it’s also a good idea to suggest kids “try” foods whenever they’re served…to help develop new tastes. Experts say it can take 15 or more tries before a new food becomes one a child will eat.

It’s important to remember that some people love to eat and others only eat to survive. If your child isn’t a recreational eater, don’t worry! It’ll be easier for him to eat healthy when he’s not tempted by all sorts of goodies!