Q:
I have 15-month-old twins who were born three months premature. I'm never sure how much to feed them. My son weighs almost 30 pounds. He's a big boy, but he's in proportion to his size. My daughter weighs a little more than 20 pounds. Both of them are about the same height.
My concern is that I'm feeding Evan too much and Jillian not enough, although they seem to eat all the time. They eat healthy foods and balanced meals, but Evan always seems hungry. Their pediatrician is delighted with their development, by the way.
A:
The fact that your babies are fraternal twins can explain the difference in their sizes. Regarding Evan's weight, your comment that he is growing in proportion is very important, which means his weight for length would average around the middle of a growth curve. If Jillian is almost as tall as Evan, she must look very thin to you, but she may always be that way. As long as she follows a consistent growth pattern there is no cause for concern.
Evan is eating more than Jillian because he is 33 percent heavier than she is, so he requires more calories. What's important is that you are providing them nourishing, healthy foods. Your pediatrician will continue to monitor the twins' growth and let you know if a problem is developing. Meanwhile, keep up the good work.
Susan M. Leisner RD, IBCLC, RLC Nutritionist & Lactation Consultant
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.
