My 1 and a Half Year Old Has a Giant Belly

I was going to recommend having her tested for celiac disease but I see that has already been mentioned. Read about it online. Sometimes the first test in small children doesn't come up positive but that doesn't mean they don't have it. She should be genetically tested to really know if she is predisposed. Don't let up on the doctors. This condition is underdiagnosed! It is controllable with a gluten free diet. Lots of people are doing it and it IS possible! You will save her from lots of other health problems later.

Here's one article to get you started:
http://glutenfreeworks.com/gluten_explained.php

One more re: symptoms in kids (belly):
http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/news/view.aspx?i...

Take care.

Is she able to have regular bowl movements? Is she eating healthy or craving snacks more?

From a mother of 2, one of my kids had colon digestive problems, and it required enema occassionally with fiber diet to recover. He's 22 years old now, and normal as can be. So, I totally recommend a doctors opinion.

Hi,
Have you been taking her for regular checkups? did you point this out to the Dr? It does not hurt to take her in to be looked at. If her belly really is giant and growing a dr. should look at her. She should be getting leaner and longer the belly should start to get a bit leaner looking now, Kids who don't get enough protein have huge bellys, and tumors could also make the belly huge. so just in case go to the dr and make sure everything is ok
J.

Take her to the Dr.and have them do a stool sample. My son had a big belly and it turns out he has an allergy to milk. Now that he eats no dairy his big belly has gone down a lot! He also had other signs like diarrhea and a runny nose (I know it sounds weird, but it is an allergy not an intolerance)
Best of luck!

This thread immediately caught my attention, because I have a toddler with a tiny frame and a big round belly. My toddler has celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine (which causes gas and bloating) when gluten is eaten. This leads to malabsorbtion and wasting. If your daughters limbs are really thin and her belly is big and round she should probably be screened, especially if their is any family history of autoimmune diseases. Also if her belly is not soft something is not right. Most celiac kids are litterally starving because they aren't absorbing the foods they are eating. Imagaine the pictures of starving 3rd world children. If your daughter would fit into those pictures, she defiantely needs attention. Other symptoms are failure to thrive, diarrhea or constipation, gas (usually very bad smelly), pale colored bowel movements, fatigue (often from anemia) and irritablitly. Now that I've probably scared you celiac is completely managable with a gluten-free diet, challenging but worth the healthy child.

H.

I would DEFINITELY take her in ASAP!!! It could be gas, but it could be something MUCH worse. I'm not trying to scare you, but this could be VERY serious!

Please keep us updated!

M. in Merced...

Is she badly constipated?

A.,
if this is something that seems unusual for her or is growing bigger you should absolutely see a doctor just to be safe.
good luck
S.

check with the doctor-you never know.

I always had a belly I could stick out like I was 6 months pregnant (but I learned to always hold it in.)

Check with you dr. just in case.

i think most 18 month olds have a check up around that time.
if the pediatrician didn't mention anything about it, i would say it's fine.
huge bellies are normal for toddlers.

My daughter is the same way. I asked her doc about it at her appointment last week. He said it's perfectly normal and that at this age their abs haven't gotten strong enough to "hold it all in".

Hi A.,
I was a kid with a giant belly too. Thin everywhere and abig belly. It's funny now in pictures. I turned out just fine, I was active and slimmed down everywhere. In fact in high school I had a six pack.
so no worries, she is probably fine.
But to be on the safe side, you could bring it up at her 18 mo check up.

Many toddlers have large bellies. If you are concerned, though, you might want to ask her doctor if they think any blood tests should be done to make sure the thyroid and everything else are working like they should.

Both of my girls had big bellies around that age. They slimmed out around 2 1/2. If it's abnormally sized you should check with her Dr.

All my kids were little tikes with big tummys until probably around 2.... But, when dealing with these little guys (and girls) - there's no reason to take a chance. If you are concerned about anything - take her in to the Dr. :) Knowledge is power, and knowledge comes from asking questions. :)

R.
www.HomeWithMy4.com

I would get it checked out. It is probably nothing. Usually kids grow out before they grow up. If she always has had it then don't worry, but to be sure take her in. My neice has had a very round belly (she is 3 now) and her pants used to sit under it, like a little old man with a big belly. She grew out of it. I just think it is one those things some kids have. Take care

I think you should take her to the doctor. There could possibly be a block somewhere in her belly/intestines that is causing it to be big and growing, even if it's a small amount. I don't mean to scare you, I just want to make sure I told you my opinion. I hope this helps you.

It never hurts to see the doctor but my son is the same way. His belly has alway been big and it got bigger and bigger until he has a growth spurt at 2 and it was so small. I missed it! Now it goes back and forth all time. I did ask my doctor about it and he said it was fine. I was concerned since they say belly fat is the most dangerous for the body but he said that didn't apply to very young children.

When in doubt, go to the doctor.

Hi A.!
There are a lot of god resonses already, I just want to add what happenede to my daughter. She also had a big belly her whole life, but when I realized it was very hard, she suffered from a lot of gas and always hurt from laying down at bedtime I decided to have a stool test done. We found out she had a parasite and overgrowth of at least one kind of bacteria. That can happen from drinking water from a well or catch it from someone else who has it. We treated her to reestablish the normal flora in her intestines and now she's fine. I agree to take your daughter to a doctor to get her checked out just to make sure. If she is doing well that gives you peace of mind to know that and if there is something that needs to be treated it is better to find out early.

Hi,

My Daughter was born with the bloated belly and outy belly botton. I had never seen such a bloating on a baby- the doctors all say its "normal" but if a large percentage of the general population doesnt have it, how can it be normal?

I was infected with yeast when i was pregnant, and she was born with internal yeast and thrush (in the mouth.)

I have my suspicions of yeast and bacteria playing a role. Celiacs also causes the big belly, and also mottled enamel on teeth, which she has. I've recently came across an article stating that yeast produces the same protien chain as wheat gluten - so both can actually damage the intestial mucosa. Ive also read that yeast is only a byproduct that occurs when a mycoplasma infection is present. ?

I just don't know. My daughter isnt really skinny. In fact she eats the same amout as my other older kids but she has gotten chunky. I can't figure it out. SHe also had learning delays. She is now 6.

If she isn't hurting, complaining, really gassy, and is having regular bowel movements that are somewhat soft but not runny she is fine. If she is any of the above, I'd ask the doctor. Babies and toddlers have big round bellies to store fat while they grow. My oldest son didn't start to lose the belly until he was around 3 1/2 years old. My youngest still has a big round belly but is only in the 5th percentile for weight (he's short and skinny because we are).