is baby overweight?

[kandylee8]

I've been breastfeeding our dd for almost 9mos now, and count myself lucky for having an abundant supply of breast milk:hugegrin: DD is very healthy, hasn't had anything but 1 or 2 episodes of colds since she was born.

My concern is, since birth, baby has had a very healthy appetite. At less than a week old, she would feed every 30mins, for 30mins or so! I was curious how much she was feeding then, so I tried expressing milk... I was able to pump out 3oz from each side, and she would finish the 6oz in an hour! She steadily gained a lot of weight each month (3-4lbs/month) until she was 5mos old, when she peaked at 25lbs. I remember I was apprehensive about starting her on solids at 6mos, because even then, at 24lbs3oz, her weight was way over the 95th percentile. I finally did start giving her some solids (about 1tsp), but not everyday, at 6.5mos. I have since been gradually increasing her intake of solids. Now at almost 9mos old, she still feeds only once a day, but I limit her intake to about 2.5oz only. She's still over the 95th percentile in terms of weight... even if it has plateaued for quite a few months now.

I feel that she can eat so much more if I don't control her solids intake. She can finish the food that I prepare for her very quickly, and most of the time, she would want more than what I prepare. I would feed her from my breast at this point.

Is baby overweight? Should I feed her more or less solids? Should I be concerned that she isn't getting "complete" nutrition?

[MacGirl]

What does your pediatrician say?

[ima062002]

She is getting complete nutrition since she is breastfeeding. Solids in the first year are mainly for experimenting. Some moms seem to be making whipped cream :) but roly poly *bf* babies are not in danger of being obese later on. Bf is actually helping a child NOT to be fat later on.

Rather than limiting food (I'd be concerned to create cravings like that later on) I would bf *first*, let her fill up and then offer solids. If she loves the sight of food don't prepare it before you offer the breast. Also, let her self feed, like that she is experimenting AND learning a new skill and for the next few months most of the food will end up in her hair and elsewhere lol.

See here for more info: http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/weight-toomuch.html

With a roly poly baby you can be very creative in the veggie area. Most veggies are low in calories so she is not going to put on weight from them (in fact, many a baby dips in the weight curve once solids are introduced because many start out with veggies and fruit and parents have to learn to add healthy fats as well).

[MacGirl]

The fact that you said she's plateauing tells me there isn't concern. What they are usually concerned with (and it's rare) is when a child does not grow on a curve, if it's too FAST a growth or too slow, there could be a problem.

Sounds like she's doing fine against her own numbers (curve), and plateauing is typical when they start reaching milestones.

[RedheadbyChoice]

Yep to Patricia, nurse first, and nurse often, then offer the solids. As long as she's meeting her milestones, it sounds like you just have a roly poly baby! I don't make babies with cankles or rolls, and I find them ever so very cute.....post a picture of your sugar, would you? :D

[Jacksmommy]

Mine was a big baby too. Just do like Patricia said and bf first before offering solids. Your baby is not overweight.

[Theywerepert]

I don't make babies with cankles or rolls, and I find them ever so very cute.....post a picture of your sugar, would you? :D

Baby cankles, I like that, lol. I second the request! I must see this marshmallow baby! Pics please! :D

[momoffaith]

I like the idea of nursing first as Patricia and Ginger recommended. Just remember babies come in all shapes and sizes. To me your babe sounds just right.

[Brianna]

Rylan was a chunky monkey. At his 4 month check up he was 20% height and 85% for weight. Once he started moving around he lost some pudge. I wouldn't worry. Patricia gave you a lot a good feeding advice.

[kohlby]

Agreed - as long as you make sure that she's getting breastmilk first, then it's likely okay. If you find yourself giving more solids than you're comfortable with, then cut down on the solids - but don't cut down on the breastmilk. My kids were complete opposites with how they gained. The BMI doesn't get used until a child is 2, and using that at 2, my DS was technically overweight. However, neither I nor the ped was concerned. He's no longer in that category, he just took a bit longer to thin out. (He hit 35lbs at 18 months). My other child is small boned and could be considered underweight at times looking at charts. They're just built differently. The charts are there as guides but I think we put too much emphasis on that peice of paper instead of the child in our arms.

[Stephanie]

I had 2 chunky monkey and ds has completely slimmed down and dd is on her way. Most likely her weight gain will start to slow.

[larzyrog]

she sound great.

[Mocosita]

You have received lots of great advice here. My baby was 8 lbs 4 oz at birth, at his 4 month check up he was 21 lbs... I was very concerned about him being overweight; but as many have said, they tend to slim as they become more mobile.

Dante is now 9 months, 26.9 lbs....he's been off the charts since his 2 month check up but he's consistent. His pedi has indicated no concerns regarding his weight as Dante is a strong and very mobile baby for his size.

Funny story: my coworkers joke that my ds was a baby for the first two weeks and then became a toddler due to his size....

Chunky babies are cute, even if they tend to wear clothes about 3-4 times the # months they really are.... mine is wearing 24 months. (I also joke that he may need to wear depends if he continues to gain this much... as he is already on size 5 diapers.)

[kandylee8]

Wow, thanks to the moms who posted replies! I'm so grateful for all of the very sound advice! You must be active members since you're on a first-name-basis :)

Anyway, to answer some of your questions, dd has been over the charts (for both height & weight, more so with weight!!!) since her 1st month check up. At her 4 month check up, I think she was 21.5lbs!!! (not too far away from dante's! and she's also been consistently in the 95th percentile since she was 2 months old! She's been wearing clothes for 18month olds since she was 4months!) And she doesnt have cankles, she has THANKLES according to my brother-in-law! lol My husband even calls her the Michelin baby! We have her pictures in the web... www.omnigold.net/kayla

I have tried breastfeeding before giving her solids before, and she always seemed uninterested to eat after, because she was already full. I've tried to stop her midway through a feeding so her stomach could still accommodate some solids, but she would get fussy if i pull her away from my breast. I have only been feeding her homemade baby food (vegetables, fruits & grains) as suggested in www.wholesomebabyfood.com I have always breastfed her for as often and as long as she wants. She used to feed 10-12 times a day, now she's down to 6-7feedings a day.

Now I'm less worried after reading all of the responses... I've also read that breastfed babies are less likely to become obese in latter life. But of course, being overweight or not also depends on the genes... I sure hope she gets mine :roflol

Am so thankful to have stumbled on this forum. Not a lot of people here are educated about breastfeeding... I don't even know if there are support groups in any community. Even in our family and circle of friends, only a few care to breastfeed. So, thanks thanks thanks is all I can say to everyone!

[RedheadbyChoice]

I have tried breastfeeding before giving her solids before, and she always seemed uninterested to eat after, because she was already full. I've tried to stop her midway through a feeding so her stomach could still accommodate some solids, but she would get fussy if i pull her away from my breast.

But sugar, that's the thing, you WANT to nurse before solids, and if she's uninterested afterwards, that's not a biggie, since breastmilk is supposed to be the bulk of her diet until she's a year old. And heck yes, I'd be pissy too if you pulled me away from a meal, halfway through it! :) She has her whole life to have solids, KWIM?

And good gracious...........she's GORGEOUS!

[kandylee8]

But sugar, that's the thing, you WANT to nurse before solids, and if she's uninterested afterwards, that's not a biggie, since breastmilk is supposed to be the bulk of her diet until she's a year old. And heck yes, I'd be pissy too if you pulled me away from a meal, halfway through it! :) She has her whole life to have solids, KWIM?

And good gracious...........she's GORGEOUS!

Hahaha... I got you.

So she got all big and "healthy" with my milk alone... Maybe I CAN make whipped cream out of it if I tried, haha.

And how big a bulk should my milk be part of her diet? Right now, I would say it's about 95%.

Btw, thanks for the compliment :)

[RedheadbyChoice]

If she's getting 95% of her diet from breastmilk, I'd say that's faboo. :) Solids are merely for fun now anyway. I'm just saying that you don't need to limit nursing before a solids meal or try to stop her while she's eating, so that she has room for solids.

She really is gorgous. ;) My son was the only one of my 4 to be a bit bigger, and that was only when he was first born and sick. He was 8 pounds 8 ounces at birth, but was 5 weeks early. But, the big only stayed with him for 2 weeks. *sigh* I love seeing chunky monkey babies, because mine are not.

Keep up the great work, momma!

~ginger