Organic Vs. Non: Doc Is Concerned....

I wouldn't be concerned. We did mostly organic foods with my son and continue to do so. He has always been in something like the 10th percentile of weight for his age. AND he has been about 30 lbs for the last year at least. He is 3 years and 2 months old. He has always been lean, never a fat baby. He is healthy and happy and eats just fine. My husband has a daughter who is 5 1/2 and she (while not eating organic foods) was exactly the same and has just started filling out this year. Hopefully this helps, just know you're doing the best by providing him with organic foods. =) (On a funny side note, I had a friend who had a son 1 month older than mine who weighed more than my son did, and when that little boy was a little over a year old, her doctor told her that her son didn't weigh enough and told her to melt a stick of butter and put it in the bottle with the formula!!!!)

T.,

Kudos to you for feeding your baby organic! Just make sure that he's getting enough fat in his diet. If you are not feeding him milk, make sure he gets flax oil or cod liver oil and fish oil.

Dr. M.

Our son struggled with weight gain. We did a high fat diet for a while. Yo Baby yoghurt is a great way to add fat and be organic. When he still didn't gain weight he was finally diagnosed with reflux. 6 months of reflux meds and he is finally on the weight charts. At his appointment last week, the specialist said percentages by themself don't mean much. You want a 1 to 1 ratio height to weight, or pretty close to it. If height is much higher than weight, then, yes, he is "skinny". Other than that, it doesn't matter so much.

Hi T.,
First let me congratulate you on your miracle child.
You do not mention how much under the curve your son is
on the charts?
Also you see a healthy, active boy.

If you can continue to feed your family organic foods,
this is much healthier and pat yourself on the back.

My children were not good eaters and in fact picky from
day one. I supplemented their daily nutrition with protien
powder for the amino acids and a childrens vitamin.

Infact their protein drink was loaded with some ice cream
and bananna' for calories.

You too can call me if you would like to.
###-###-####

Light and Love
C.

Hi T.,
Definitely eating a healthy diet, organic or not, may make your child not fit the charts. As long as he's active and healthy as you say, you are doing the right thing.
I'm a midwife, mother of four and grandmother of two. I have two books out of birth stories and invite you to check nmy website, www.inspiringbirthstories.com

D.

Hi T.,

I know you from the coffee shop. How are you?

I had this lovely, long, explanatory response typed out for you. However, I turned my back for a moment, went back to my writing and my computer had frosen up on me totally. Lost it! I'm too tired to try to write it all cohesively again. I'd love to talk to you. Why don't you call me? ###-###-####

~ K. L.
Midwife, Lactation Consultant, Childbirth Educator

Hi T.,

Good for you for sticking to your guns about organic foods. I am a vegetarian married to a carnivore who cares less about what's inside the foods he eats. I care about the health and wellbeing of my family so I have been slowly influencing him to take more notice, especially when it comes to our 13 month old growing boy. Thankfully I do the cooking and most of the food shopping at home.

I don't pay much attention to charts myself. The doctors tell me he is on the tall side for his age group. As a toddler I was told I was also tall and "skinny" toddler. Yet I only turned out to be 5 feet 4 inches tall and was never skinny as an adolescent. I actually had problems with my weight as I got older and that was mainly due to poor eatting habits and limited activity. Thus I became a vegetarian and have been glad with my decision.

If your son is eating well, thriving in all ways that is all you need. I say don't worry and just adjust his clothing based on HIS unique size.

Cheers!

As the Mom of a small 13 yo, my advice is mixed. First, try to vary his diet, trying different things to see what he likes to eat. You may have to try to add some sweets and higher calorie items. I say this because my 13 yo has been diagnosed as having "low absorption". He can eat whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and is still small for his age despite family genetics indicating he should be bigger. I tried giving him high calorie foods that he liked and it turned out he is just not absorbing them like another person would. Therefore, for your son, the other idea is that he may need a doctor's help. Mine is going to be getting growth hormone shots to help him grow. I'm only considering it because he's likely not getting enough nutrition. So that is my next advice, to ask the doctor what he suggests. Good luck!

T.,
I'm no doctor nor do I know about any research on the subject you wrote about however we eat all organic food in our house too. The first thing that came to my mind was that non-organic foods are so full of other junk that it may be the cause of babies being larger than they otherwise would be. Organic food is such a new concept to the average American and we have based all our growth charts on "normal" foods. Personally I think you should be proud of your decision to go organic, as it is the wave of the future, and the most healthy decision for our young ones.
Sincerely,
L.

T.,

First, congratulations on your miracle child.

Next, there is a range on these charts because each child is unique and different. Children also change and morph throughout their developmental cycles, so this may also be a phase for your child.

In terms of organics, well, yes, your child might not be as heavy as those that are consuming highly proccessed junk food with high fructose corn syrup. We are in the midst of a childhood obesity and diabetes epidemic, which is also reflected on the charts, perhaps skewing them.

If you are looking for some additional recipes with nutritionally dense foods, I would recommend going here:

http://www.elanaspantry.com/

I have put together this website of wholesome, nourishing recipes created for children (I have two boys) and this might be a good reference for you or provide some new ideas for meals and snacks.

I hope this helps.

E.

Hi T.,, I have three kids, my two boys are really big and my daughter is just tiny. She eats a lot and is very healthy. But if I were to go with the "charts" at the Dr's office, she would have a problem. I caution you not to take too much stock in those charts. Remember, the percentages are averages of other kids in america. The population has become very overweight, children included and I believe makes it seem like a child such as yours is abnormal. I fervently believe that is not the case. I also agree with your choice to go organic. I think kids today are much larger due to all the steroids and chemicals they ingest through the years. If your child is happy and healthy and a good eater, than you would be crazy to change anything. You sound like a smart mom! Keep it up!

Organic foods don't contain less calories, fat, protein, etc. so that's not the problem.
Try more high calorie foods. Is he eating meat, fish, cheese? I feed my kids organic foods too and I was also told by my doc that my son (10 months) was thin. My son is very active and eats a lot, so my doc said to try higher calorie foods. She said that he is burning the calories quickly since he is so active.
Also, you know your son better than your doc, so if he is eating well, sleeping well, healthy and happy then don't let the doc make you feel bad.

Organic foods are the best foods you can possibly feed your child and yourself. Our entire family eats 95% organic foods besides the occassional ice cream run to the store. Try to look at foods with higher calorie intake and healty fats in them. We have a four year old and one year old, and they are both very healthy. Keep doing what you are doing.

Hi T.--

My son, who is now 3 1/2, was exactly like yours. 50th percentile at birth and down hill from there. He's always been breastfed and we eat all organic too. Between Ages 2 and 3 he only gained around 5 pounds, but went from the 3rd percentile to the 25th. Breastfed babies tend to be smaller initially because they regulate their own food intake. At around 3 to 4 years the children who were not breastfed slow down in growth because they are now regulating their own food intake, but our children tend to just stay on the same track and they even out. I've heard some pediatricians do in fact have separate charts for breastfed children because they tend to be so much thinner. As for smaller clothes, Osh Kosh tends to have clothes for thinner children--might be worth a look. I live near the factory stores--it's much less expensive down here!

Your child sounds fine--I would say get a doctor who is more attuned to natural health.

J.

If your doctor is concerned about you feeding your child the best food possible (i.e. organic food that is not laden with chemicals), then I would suggest finding a pediatrician who is more open minded. My children have been raised on organic food and are extremely healthy and have been on both ends of the chart (my son was in the 95th percentile for weight and my daughter in the 3rd percentile). Our pediatrician is very supportive of our food choices and was never concerned with either kids weight, as long as they were growing and gaining some weight (even if it was just a half pound b/t visits). Keep doing what's best for your son - organic food is a clear winner!

I just first want to say that you are doing a great job and congrats on the miricle!

My nefew is the same way. He has never been a big child and he is now 2 1/2. I really think that the curves are opinions and really should not be followed. If he is happy and healthy than I would go with it. Some kids decide to start filling out later and some are just smaller kids. Look at all the different people in America! And to tell you the truth, I do not always look at the curves. You have a healthy family and organic is the choice for you. I just want to assure you that you are doing the right thing and do not change anything. He will start to fill out later or he won't! I do not like it when doctors base everything that is happening with a child on some curves that were developed. I know they are based off of data, but not every child is the same. ( we all know that) Good Luck and keep up the good work!!!!

yup...been there. I actually stopped going to well baby checkups and only go to the doctor when my kids are sick enough that i think they need to go, for exactly that reason. last year i went to the doctor because one of my sons was throwing up alot and i sort of freaked out (i am sure many have been there!). i ended up seeing the physicians assistant and ALL she would talk about was the fact that he had lost a small amount of weight since his last visit. (let me add this women has a young child too). i couldn't believe it. anyways...if you think that your son is healthy and he eats well (well for toddler standards!), i would just follow your instincts...you are the one who knows him best. my older son who is now three has never been on the charts either, but the kid usually eats like a horse...he's just kinda little. those charts, by the way, are extremely outdated and i believe they were compiled based on ages and weights of babies who were formula fed. i hope this helps you feel better...remember, you know him best!

Hi T.,

My son eats all organic, too, but he is in the 65th percentile for his height and weight (he's 16 months old). Has your son always been "skinny," or did this just develop with this month's visit? Your son could have food allergies, which could be affecting his ability to digest his food well. There could be other things, too. I'd have the doctor look into those possibilites. Also, is he eating his healthy fats, drinking whole milk, etc.? Organic just has nothing to do with it; if you think about it, up until 100 years ago, everyone in the world ate "organically," until artificial pesticides and other gunk were developed...

Good Luck!
M. :o)

We must have the same doc because I was just told the same thing! My baby is breastfeeding too. Here's my advice told to me by much more experienced moms. . . .
1. those Charts that they use are put out by the CDC, and they were created by the formula companies, so OF COURSE they are going to want babies to be bigger, if they are not (which most breastfeeding babies are tiny)then they want the babies to be on formula (which is what my doctor suggested!!!). Go to the World health organization's web site, this compares sizes world-wide, not just comparing your baby to every other obese babies in the US.
2. KEEP BREASTFEEDING!!!!!!! DON'T limit the amount, your baby needs the nourishment that God provided for him. . . .contact a LaLeche League person in your area, they can help you with breastfeeding guestions.

3. you can still feed your baby things that are high in fat and calories, that are organic. . . cheese, avocados, cream cheese, bananas, sweet potatoes,etc. pick organic stuff and go for it, babies need the fat, and natural fat is great for them!

You sound like a great mother and my heart goes out to you, especially since I am in the same position, but we need not compare with other babies. Your son sounds like he eats incredibly healthy, and is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs, maybe he has a high metabolism, I know that my husband can't gain 5 pounds to save his life, and so I expect my son to be the same way!

If you are in the FOrt Collins area, they have a La Leche League meeting the third monday of this month, maybe you can check it out, I am going to be there! Check out the web site!

Hi T.,
Organic is not the issue! Organic is just food grown without pesticides hormones or being radiated. If your son has been consistently growing at the same rate he has been all along and he is "eating like a horse" and seems to thriving, I don't know why your be should be worried. My pediatrician always told me that as long as they stay on the same curve on the growth chart, their percentile does not matter. Hope this puts your mind at ease.
from a mom of 3, ages 10,7 and 6 who still feeds them organic :)
K.

My guess would be the issue isn't organic vs non-organic, but that in eating organic, you're focused on being healthy and limiting junk food. Both of my kids have always been on the thin side (both hang out at 10-15th percentile). My doctor just wants to see that they're staying on the same curve. I honestly think they're on the thin side because we really limit junk food. When we're w/others who have kids I am always shocked at the amount of junk other parents give their kids (loaded w/bad fats, sugar, and chemicals) and then is there any wonder why their kids are on the large side? So, your only concerns should be if he's dropped in the charts and is he getting enough fat. Babies and young children need more fat than adults do for proper development. Even if he's eating like a horse, he may not be getting enough calories if he's not eating enough fat and protein. Talk w/your doctor about caloric needs and then adjust your son's diet w/ regards to food groups (i.e., more fat and protein, if needed) and stick w/ those healthy choices!

The only reason a doctor should be concern is if he has dropped from where he normally is on the curve or where he normally isn't. My daughter is tiny for being 2, he 8 month old little brother is almost a big as she is. She has always been in the 25th percentile on height and somewhere between 5-15th percentile on weight. If he has always been below the chart then there isn't a problem but if he has recently fallen off then the doctor is concerned as too why. Most children stick within a certain range. they never really go up or down a significant amount.

T.,

Hello! First of all, does your family, or your son's father's family, have a really high metabolism? I only ask because I have a friend who does. She has had four kids and she doesn't look like she has even had one. Also, her three oldest kids all have her same high metabolism. They are extremely skinny, but I know for a fact that they eat like football players! She doesn't always do organic, but she does do a very healthy meal plan for herself and her family. Her doctors have also told her that her kids were too skinny (and they still do). Also consider this, we live in a society that lives on junk food, and it shows in the ever-increasing average weight. So you have to ask, is your child really "too skinny", or is he normal, and the rest of us are just "a little too fat". There are other ways to check if your son is malnourished. You can research these and check you son against them to see if he is not getting enough nutrition. As far as skinny, he will be better off that way. He will have less health problems as he gets older. Just a little FYI, my son was HUGE as an infant. He always topped the charts. He is now 7 1/2 years old and he is as skinny as a rail. Unfortunately for me, he takes after his dad! :). So don't worry just yet! Babies change too fast and too much for anyone to judge them. I hope this helps!!

A. K.

I wouldn't worry about how your son compares to the charts if you know he's eating food that is good for him. My brother's two sons were off the charts in opposite directions. The one who was "too big" is now 6'6", large framed, but certainty not overweight. The one who was "too small" is now 6'5", smaller boned but certainly not underweight. I thought my own son would be larger framed, like my husband's family, based on how he compared to the baby charts. He's now fourteen and still in the top height-wise, but I can't find pants that fit his skinny waist. If your son is eating and developing normally, he's just physically small now. How he ends up as an adult is probably more a function of genetics. Don't get caught up in comparing your son to charts, what others say they're kids are doing/did at certain ages, etc. It will drive you crazy.

Hi T.,

I, too, feel that organic is the issue. My grandson was and is still very lean but his genes suggest that would be the case. I don't think docs always take these things into consideration. Also, who makes up these charts? What's "really" normal? Just like with blood work. Who wants to be "normal" in a country of sick people? :o)

There is a lot of documentation saying there is more nutrition in organic than non-organic! Organic isn't always affordable for everyone and it doesn't always mean it's the best, either. It's a loosly defined term but again, you're doing the right thing.

Here is some info for you from Natural Health magazine, July issue (2005, I believe). It is from an article titled "Go Organic".

"We can lower our pesticide exposure by 90 percent if we avoid the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and substitute organic produce instead.

When organic matters most
The Dirty Dozen
buy organic Grown conventionally, the following fruits and vegetables have the highest levels of pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy group. They are listed from most to least contaminated.
1. Peaches
2. Strawberries
3. Apples
4. Spinach
5. Nectarines
6. Celery
7.Pears
8. Cherries
9. Potatoes
10. Sweet bell peppers
11. Raspberries
12. Imported grapes

The Clean Dozen
okay to buy conventional This is the cleanest produce grown conventionally (listed from the least to most contaminated).
1. Sweet corn
2. Avocados
3. Pineapples
4. Cauliflower
5. Mangoes
6. Sweet peas
7. Asparagus
8. Onions
9. Broccoli
11. Kiwis
12. Papayas

According to the EWG, eating their designated 'dirty dozen' vegetables and fruits will, on average, expose us to about 20 different pesticides a day. ...the least-contaminated conventionally grown vegetables and fruits will expose us to only around two pesticides.

'There are no two ways about it,' Benbrook says. 'Conventional farming operations are having a profound impact on biodiversity, groundwated and soil health.' In terms of plantetary health, organic is the clear choice.

...And if it's a choice between eating conventional produce or none at all, you should still eat fruits and vegetables. 'There's a ton of evidence that whether they'e organic or not, fruits and vegetables protect against disease,' says Marion Nestle, Ph.D., a professor in the department of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University."

Dr. Pam Popper, PhD in Nutrition and N.D. says, Not all produce purchased must be organic! I do recommend that you NOT purchase foods that are GM (genetically modified) since we know the nutritional content of the food is different and the safety of those foods is quite questionable.

Purchase organic foods to the extent that you can afford to do in the produce area. It is very imperative (!!!) that you do it with animal foods. There are benefits to organic produce in terms of superior nutrient content as well as supporting sustainable agriculture.

The most important thing is that you clean produce properly, since through handling there will be bacteria and other critters that should be removed. A lot of herbicides and pesticides will be removed during proper cleaning. The simple formula is 1 T. of unrefined [non-iodized] sea salt dissolved in a sink of water. (That is what I do on a regular basis)

When you are consuming conventionally grown produce it's important to remember that studies show that the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables outweigh herbicide and pesticide exposure. There is research that is outlined in the China Study [recommended reading for everyone!!!] that suggests that the amount of animal protein in the diet is a FAR stronger predictor of the development of cancer in humans than exposure to chemicals including herbicides and pesticides. The most important thing is to get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet every day ... conventional OR organic!

The rules for organic are: Only organic animal foods should be consumed and produce to the extent that you can afford it. Do not let the lack of organic produce in your diet keep you from eating lots of fresh raw fruits and vegetables"!!!

Hope this gives you some piece of mind!
D.

Don't stress about this. If he's smaller than average, that is NOT a problem. I'm an all-organic mama, too. My daughter is a healthy, active beanpole! She snacks constantly and is perfectly happy. Her doctor said he's not concerned as long as she continues to gain weight and height over time, no matter how little she is.

Personally, I completely agree organics are the way to go. I was raised on organic, natural food and so were my siblings. We were all very thin and extremely healthy growing up, and we are all still that way today as adults. My parents are also thin and healthy.

If your baby is eating when he's hungry and he's happy, you're doing the right thing. You can always lay out some little snack foods for him to munch on while he tumbles around- that's what I do- and he can munch on them as he's interested.

:-) T.

I think it's wonderful you have put so much thought into your son's diet and eating organic! I too, have taken this approach with my kids and they have always been on the thin-side according to the Dr's charts. I have to wonder if the weight charts are the same today as they were even a decade or two ago? In other words, would a chart from 1980-1990's say your son was actually right on track?

I know for myself that my weight is deemed average as my doctor said (and on today's weight charts for women) but I know I would be healthier 20-30 pounds less. I think American's numbers are out of whack. I love the saying I saw on a shirt, "I'm not fat, I'm American!" I think that speaks volumes.

I say that as long as your son is healthy in all other ways, and has an appetite for the foods he is eating now - you're doing a perfect job!

Kudos!
C.

T., don't listen to that doctor. Does your son eat what you put in front of him, veggies, meat, fruit? If he is eating then he is fine. Sometimes kids go thru times where they don't want to eat also, don't force them. It makes you and the child stressed out. He will eat when he is hungry, just like adults. Trust me. I have been continually told by doctors that my son is under weight since he was an infant. He eats like a horse when he does eat and occassionally has no appetite. It fluctuates. He is now 5 and his weight is still lower than "normal", but eats and drinks plenty of fruits, veggies, meat and milk. We incorporate organic milk b/c of the hormones, but feed him what we eat and always have. My husband and i are both thin. He is 5'9 and weighs 145 and i am 5'9 and weigh 120. Nothing wrong with either of us, just good metabolism. Don't let doctors spook you. Every child is different, b/c every parent is different. We don't give our son his milk until after he is finished with a meal b/c it fills him up and that is why he doesn't want to eat. Try that first. If your son is eating that is all you need to be concerned about. He is eating what he needs.
Hope that helps some. Being a first time mother is difficult, being a single mom is harder. Do what you think is right and it will be. W.

Hey T.,

I'm a 37 year old mom of a now 10 year old who fit a similar profile. I had a few nites where I rolled over and looked at his skinny little arms in complete panic. So long as your son has access to plenty of food and you let him eat until he is done, he is probably fine.

One thing to ask your doctor about is if s/he has a chart for breats fed babies? Most of the standard charts were developed post-bottle-feeding and don't account frot he fact that breast milk is higher in protein and less fattening.

Hope that helps!
Maikwe (whose son is still skinny but just fine...)

Hi, Tifanny! congratulations on being so vigilant about your son's diet and his exposure to pesticides. it would be helpful if you posted what your son's daily intake of food is to have a better idea of where the problem may lay. i have a couple of questions for food for thought. he's only one year old, (i nursed well past the one year marker, so that took care of a lot of the fat intake content in my children's daily diet right there) so what are you feeding him daily? is it only fruit? vegetables? are you giving him any kind of grain? does the milk you give him have full fat content? one can be thin without being healthy, and one can be thin being healthy, you need to determine which category your son is in. healthy fats are essential for children's growth and brain development, etc. just make sure he gets *enough calories* every day to help him gain the weight, as well. organic cereal more than once a day, puree your own organic chicken and vegetable soups and make sure they have olive oil or cream, something to help him get some fat into his system. hope this helps.

There are many reasons why your son might be too thin. What does the doctor say? He must have a reason or at least some suspicion. Does he consider the child's condition serious or merely something to watch? I would go see the dr armed with a list of questions as to why and what and when. I would also keep a strict diary of what the child eats every day for at least a week prior to seeing the doctor. If the doc is unable to give you any reason or satisfaction, I would see another pediatriciajn. I have never heard of organic foods causing an underweight problem. I assume your son is healthy otherwise but has the doc spoken of any tests? ie: is there a family history of hyperthyroidism, especially in the grandparents, as thryoid problems tend to jump a generation. Until you have some answers and a problem is identified, I wouldn't worry because children grow in spurts. That is the nature of the human child. Good luck!

Hi T.,
My girls were both off the charts when they were babies. They are now very healthy 10 and 13 year olds and very "normal" in all the ways to count. Just remember, many of the health charts are a carryover from the 50's and based on Irish American children and formula fed babies. I would say follow your instinct, organic is definitely better, and watch for other signs of "health". Remember pediatrician's, who are great when you need them, have virtually no education or training in nutrition. Trust yourself to know what is best for your baby.
Blessings to you in your mothering path.
T.

My daughter was barely in the 5% all her life. She is a VERY happy, healthy (yet petite) six and a half year old now. Your dr concerns are valid in the sense if he sees no progress. However, I don't think organic foods have a factor in it one way or the other. I don't think all foods are pumped full of pesticides, however there are positives in some organics. There are all sorts of articles on the internet and even your Dr should have on what foods really are helpful being organic and which are really not at all. My daughter was just petite and remains so. Lucky girl, hee hee. My son who was almost 9lbs at birth is twice her size and three years younger. A lot is genetics. If your son is happy and healthy, not lethargic and eats, then I wouldn't worry much at all.

Hi T.,
I guess my first question to your question is, "do YOU think your son is too skinny?" Other than ruling out of any health problems, I'd say not to worry! If the charts doctors use are based on the national average, jeeze, isn't america the fattest country in the world? I'm not being critical of anyone's child that is in the 80-90 percentile range, but reading reports & watching the news, it's not a secret a lot of parents are over feeding their children, processed, artifical, junk/fast foods and kids are suffering from it.

My 2 year old daughter was born 7 lbs, 3 oz and has always been in the 20 percentile range. Everyone would comment how tiny and petite she was, she can still fit into some 12-18 month old pants (have you noticed the waist on kids' pants are huge?) I feed my daughter as many fruits & vegetables & home cooked meals made from scratch with as little preservatives as possible and I think that can have lot to do with keeping a child's weight at a natural level.

Anyway, I hope that helps. Again, if you feel his body isn't absorbing food properly for him to be gaining the weight he needs and/or if his weight isn't raising with his age or it's dropping, I'd just cover my bases to make sure nothing is wrong. If anything, get a second opinion from a TRUSTED Holistic doctor.

T. C.

I am not a doctor but our son eats mostly organic. I think unless you have eliminated meat or protein, the organic shouldn't be an issue. How is his height compared to his weight. My son has always been skinny. For a while he was 90th for height and 10-20th for weight. HE has leveled of a bit as he got older. Organic foods should have better not worse nutritional value. I still have trouble buying him pants b/c the waists are so huge. Weight charts are an odd thing. My 4 month old is happy and chubby with full cheeks and chubby legs and yet the charts call her 50 percentile for weight. Hard to believe a chubby little girl is only 50th and not higher.

Hi T.!
A.) always go organic! go mom!
B.) I have 5 kids ~ two are adoptees three are bio. Of the 5, 2 are extremely little - my first bio was/is TINY! She is 9 now and was off the charts then and still is. Her dad's family is also TINY and she has an extremely high metoabolism. We found that led to temper tantrums around age 3 because she was sugar crashing so she eats a bite or two of protein at every meal to keep her steady and she is still a peanut but she is brilliant, active (she is a black belt in tae kwon do) and full of energy. My other little one is an adoptee, her bio parents are both very small. bio momis 5 feet, bio dad 5 foot 6. They worry about her weight but she too is growing well, meeting all of her milestones and very very active.
I have one medium kid who is 50% on height and weight and he is my picky picky eater. I have one who comes in at 75% height and 50% weight. He eats like a horse - everything and anything he can get his hands on. And one bruiser she is 80% height and 80% weight and takes after my very solid side of the family - we look fairly normal but we are very very solid. (I was a size 5/6 in high school and weighed in at 125 lbs.)
SO my point - EVERYBODY is different and the average American kid isn't all that healthy - the charts are to tell you where you fall in the national average not where you should fall if you are growing healthily. As long as your son is eating well, growing well, and eating fats (baby's need fat for mental development) he is eating well. If you continue to be concerned see a natural health practitioner to be sure he is assimilating all his nutrients (one of my coulsn't digest fats and was on enzymes for a while)
Best wishes
C.

My son was breasfed for a couple of years, and didn't like food until he 11 or 12 months. He was always such a picky eater too. And he was usually at the 25% percentile. But I never though he was skinny or skeletal. Yes, he was slim, but amazingly healthy. At that time I bought some organic foods, but not all the time. However, I did not innoculate him with vaccines. He has recently at age 13 been vaccinated with the Hepititis vaccines, pressure from his doctor. I am really glad he did not his baby vaccines. Anyhow, ask your good friends, and family if they feel your son is thin in an unheathly looking way. Ask them for the truth. Do they have concerns? If I were you I would eliminate cholorine, and flouride from your son's life. (Just google both words) Kids who eat super healthy are more sensitive to chemicals and other toxic material. IF you have city water get a filter, and if you need an alternative toothpast, use Tom's fennil, propolis, myrh variety. It tastes a little weird, but he'll get used to it.
Didn't mean to ramble. Good luck!
J.

I just want to congratulate you for feeding your son organic. What a huge step that in itself is! I would not think that feeding your son only organic foods would make him "too skinny", especially if he has a very hearty appetite. Too many of us worry that our children are not following the right path on the "charts". If we just raise them with the knowledge that we are doing the right thing, not pumping them full of pesticides and growth hormones, then the rest will eventually work itself out. There is a book out called "The Organic Baby Book: How to Plan & Raise a Healthy Child", by Tanyia Maxted-Frost that would be an excellent resource for you to look at. Good luck!

A.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a skinny baby! My first son (I have two boys) was extremely skinny. I nursed him for the first 11 months while also giving him organic baby food after about six months. He stayed super skinny until he was about 18 months old. My pediatrician gave me a really hard time saying that I needed to supplement with formula or do something to help him gain some weight. I had the same thoughts that you did. If he is happy, healthy and eating till he is content then why should I try to conform to what the doctor (who had no children of his own) thinks is best for my son. If your little boy is happy then I would just count my blessings and not worry about the silly charts the doctor is comparing your little one's weight to. As far as organic goes, my boys are on organic diets too. As I said before my first son was super skinny but then filled out around 18 months. My second son is much beefier and has been since birth. Both eat organic and are happy and healthy. I don't think there is anything different (in a caloric sense) between organic and non organic. Good luck and keep up the good work!!

You know your baby best!!! Is he eating well? Are you giving him a balanced diet? I do mostly natural and organic, have four children that are all active and very skinny. My doctor here was concerned also, then I began to educate him on their activity levels and everything they eat. Keep in mind that doctors are becoming numb to the poorly nurished couch potatoes they see, and the charts are reflecting that as well.

T.,

My 2 cents is to follow your intuition. If your baby is happy, healthy, energetic and eating, it sounds to me like he is perfectly fine. I think you are being wise to give him only organic! Some babies are just smaller, if you are concerned I would see a different doctor, but it sounds like he is just fine.

H.