My two-year-old daughter looks skinny. How do I know that she is getting enough nutrients?

What the Expert Says

By Cyrus Yeong

Nutritionist at Nature’s Farm

Bachelor in Food Technology, University of Science, Malaysia

Nature’s Farm is a specialist health supplements, honey and health foods chain in Singapore since 1982.

http://www.naturesfarm.com/

If your daughter is eating relatively well, looks healthy and is eating from a healthy selection of food groups, there should be little cause for concern.

Look out for weak and brittle nails

Many children may look skinny but are perfectly healthy and well-nourished. If you do observe that your child has a pale pallor, appears lethargic, or has weak and brittle nails, you may want to bring your child to the paediatrician for a health review.

A helpful guide would be to refer to the growth chart in your child’s health booklet, issued at birth. The chart will give you a good idea of whether your child is meeting his/her growth milestones based on age and gender. The chart also indicates the height, weight and head circumference, referencing to the average measurements of children of the same age and gender in Singapore. If there is any large deviation, the child may have an absorption problem, and an investigation is recommended.

Follow Mummy & Daddy

More likely than not, your child will start to fill out in time. Most children follow a steady growth curve that’s dictated partly by genetics, meaning if mummy or daddy were skinny in their youth, there is a good chance that the child may follow the same pattern. If you do notice that your child is steadily losing weight and/or increasing in height but not putting on weight with respect to the height gained, you may want to visit your child’s PD for a review as well.