This is a collaborative post
Many parents worry that their child is failing to thrive, but how do you actually know? The idea of receiving this information from your doctor can be horrifying for many parents, and it often occurs when your child’s physical growth is slower than expected for their age and gender. Children grow rapidly in the first few years of life, and then their growth rate slows down a bit. Those that are failing to thrive may show signs of malnutrition or problems with their development.
Dropping percentiles
The primary indication that your child is failing to thrive is that they are dropping across percentile lines for their age group. For example, if they fall from the 75th percentile for height and weight for their age group down to the 25th percentile, then it’s a sign that there’s something wrong. If your child is in the bottom 5% of the weight-for-age ratio, then tracking their health is much more important, especially if they don’t have any genetic predisposition to be small or thin.
Lack of weight gain
Lack of weight gain can also be a sign of a child failing to thrive. Infants should regain their birth weight within two to three weeks after birth, and toddlers should gain weight regularly throughout toddlerhood. If they go two or three months without their weight increasing on the scale, it may be a sign that they’re not eating enough or getting improper nutrition.
Missing developmental milestones
Missing developmental milestones is another sign that a child is failing to thrive. If they’re not rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking, then it can be an indication of an issue.
If they can’t perform various cognitive tasks by the time they’re two years old, there might be a problem with your kid’s hearing so get them checked. Make sure that they’re able to understand you and the world around them.
Thin arms and legs
Thin arms and legs are also a sign of a child failing to thrive. Usually, it comes hand-in-hand with a lack of subcutaneous fat, which is a soft layer of fat that’s just under the skin. Thin arms and legs suggest that the body is focusing more on maintaining the core and supporting organ function. Often, it’s a result of an excessive calorie deficit. Skin that looks pale or dry often accompanies thin arms and legs and is another sign of malnutrition.
Low energy levels and lethargy
Finally, you may notice that a child who is failing to thrive has low energy levels or experiences regular lethargy. Children appear listless, sleepy, or have no interest in interacting with their environment. This becomes particularly obvious when you compare and contrast them with their playmates.
Young children often have enormous amounts of energy and are running around constantly and making a lot of noise; however, kids that are failing to thrive don’t have this tendency. They may sit quietly by themselves or appear too exhausted to engage with the toys and the environment around them.
