Baby Gaining Weight Too Fast

A.,

Chubby babies are happy healthy babies. Once she's walking, she'll walk off those chub rolls to become the leggy supermodel toddler on the block. I wouldn't worry another minute about it.

Take care,
J.

My son, now 17 months old, was 13 pound by the time he was7 weeks old. My pediatrician wasn't concerned. He was breast, then formula fed. Now, hes thinned out and still a healthy 24 pounds. Don't fret, once she starts crawling and walking, her weight should taper off. Keep feeding her like you are.

I think what's important to see here is that she is in the 90th percentile for not just one or two of the categories, but for all three. This means that she is growing proportionately as she should. If she was in the 50th percentile for height and 90th for weight, then that would mean she was a tiny tiny bit heavy.

Since her length and weight are both at 90th percentile, that is what you need to focus on. Her length and weight should pretty much stay at a constant percentage.

I think she's okay and there's nothing to worry about based on this information.

HI A.. No need for a diet. My son was the same way and he is still quite chunky being 24lbs at 11months. The doctor was not concerned at all either. Once she is mobile which micht be a while she will slim down. My child's weight is still in the 70th percentile then height and head circumference still less. One good thing is that she is proportionate. Hang in there as there is no need to worry. If you still feel uncomfortable try calling the nurse at your pediatricians office to ask another opinion. Another item to keep in mind is that your baby needs fats for healthy brain development.

I am a 29 year old working mother of one 11 month old energetic boy and married to my wonderful husband for 2 years (together for 11).

I think it is probably a little unhealthy that you are worried about your daughter being obese and thinking about putting her on a diet when she is only 4 months old. As mothers, it is our job to be concerned about our children and their health. However, I think as women we often take our own body issues and the stereotypes of society and shove them on our daughters. It is no wonder that perfectly healthy (and thin) seven year olds are on tv talking about how they need to go on diets. I would urge you to take another look at your motives for feeling this way. Is it possible that you feel that way because she is a girl? If she was as active as your son, would you still feel like this? There is nothing wrong with your daughter at all. I am sure she is beautiful and wonderful. If your doctor says her weight is fine it is. Babies are not supposed to be "thin" anway. And it is also imperative to remember that all kids are different. Each child will develop differently. I just had my 2nd six months ago and so far she has done nothing at the same time as my son did. If I were you, I would spend less time worrying about her weight and just enjoy that little bundle of love you have been blessed with.

Don't be concerned... my littlest of 4 was 8# when born and almost doubled his birth weight by 3 months (15 lb 12 oz), he just turned 1 about a week ago and his is now 22 lb and 11 oz. He is my biggest, but he is also the one who walked the fastest. He took his first step a few weeks before his 1st b-day, 5 steps on his b-day and is starting to really walk around now. He likes to eat, but he eats healthy. My oldest is 13 yr now, so I can't really compair her to the younger 3, but right now I have the 1 yr old boy (22 lb) the 3 yr old boy (26 lb) and a 4 yr girl (36 lb). The 3, 4 and 13 yr olds were all 7 lb 4 oz when born... they all grow at different rates.

Keep feeding and loving her as you have been, babies are all different!!! She will start doing her thing when she is ready. My sisters little girl is about 3 weeks younger then my youngest and learns "new tricks" about 6 weeks after my boy does, but she has also learned a few "new tricks" a few weeks before my boy too. I learned with my 3 and 4 year old not to compair what they can and can't do, it only makes you worry when you should be enjoying the little ones.

Good luck with you little ones! Take Care!

If your doctor's not concerned, I wouldn't worry either. Babies are supposed to be chubby, it means they’re healthy. Your daughter will drop the weight when she starts moving around more. Maybe do activities with her that encourage her to be more active, such as rolling her over, giving her more tummy time, and practicing kicking? Otherwise, I think she’s fine. You're not feeding her anything fattening that she doesn't need right now, so there's really nothing you can do.

I agree with most of the postings you have received, but had to comment. Don't cut back on her feedings. My 6-yr-old was the chubbiest baby I had ever seen. I had complete strangers at the store telling me he was too fat and needed to be on a diet. At 4 months he was almost 18 pounds and was also very tall for 4 months. I told my doctor that and he said that was nonsense, to keep up with what we were doing and that our son was very healthy and that is the only thing we should be thinking about. His weight gain and growth Have always been consistent on the charts. I feel as long as they stay consistent and the doctor is not worried, there is not a problem. My son is now 63 pounds and 4 foot 1 1/2 inches at 6. He is solid built, but slender and tall. He is still consistent in percentiles and at the top of the charts. I do not think baby chubbiness has much to do with their long term weight as adults and children. Your daughter will start to loose that as she gets mobile. I would just sit back and enjoy having a healthy, happy baby.

If your doctor isn't concerned, I wouldn't worry!!! I have a three month old boy that is formula fed and he is almost 15 pounds and 24 inches long. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter that was nursed and supplemented with formula and didn't weigh 15 pounds until her eighth month.She only weighs 26 pounds now. She is still a peanut and eats really healthy foods. I think kids grow at different rates and as long as their bodies are proportionate and they are healthy, don't put them on a diet. Their bodies know when to turn off if they are full. Good luck!!

Do not think about it for another minute. Your daughters percentiles will fluctuate as she develops, and now she happens to be in the high end for her age.
She is perfectly fine. You're doing a great job giving her what she needs.

First of all your daughter is not chubby, do not put this label on her so early in her life. As long as her weigh %is not more then her lenght she is appropriate for her size. Also babies tend to gain weight just before going through a growth spurt. If your doctor is not worried you should not be either. Also this provides her with a little extra protection if she should get sick (even a cold). My son was in daycare and it seemed like he got sick every other week. Most babies especially daycare kids contract an average of 21 colds/viruses the first couple of years of life. Your child is big for her age and if she's healthy count your blessings. But please do not refer to her as chubby. A coworker did this with her son and then could not stop her older kids from teasing him the rest of his life.

How much did she weigh when she was born? It's very common for children to have more than doubled their birth weight by 4 months. And she is proportionate. Your doctor isn't worried, and they will keep watch of her to see if she continues in those percentiles.

Your son slimmed down, why would you think that she wouldn't? She will be trying to keep up with her big brother before you know it.

I'm right there with you. My daughter had her 6 mo. check up at the beginning of June and she weighed in at a hefty 19 lbs and 2 oz. Just like your doctor mine was not worried at all and honestly neither am I. This is my first child and from what people tell me (from their own experiences) she is a very good baby. She has been sleeping through the night since 7 wks...and if that comes with having a big baby...Bring Them On! :) I'm not going to worry about her weight until she begins to be more mobile. Then if she isn't slimming down then i might be concerned. At 4 mo my daughter wasn't that active either she didn't start rolling over until about 5 mo. I hope this helps...I can't really give much advice seeing that I myself is going through the same thing but I hope you feel better knowing you're not alone.

Hi A.-
First off, NO DIET!!!! Babies don't need diets!! My son has always been in the 90% in all 3 categories since he was born. His pediatrician said it's because he wasn't active when he was small. Now that my son crawls and walks, everyone has noticed that he is "thinning out". He lost his double chin :( I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just enjoy the little chubalicious ;) I am sure she will start her thinning out too when she is more active.
Good luck!!!!

Okay mamma- no worries! If she is in the 90th percentile acrossed the board- she's fine. How weird would it be if she were really tall (90%)and like 50% for weight- it would look funny and out of proportion. Both my kids were huge as babies (5 1/2 mo old girl weighed in yesterday at almost 20 lbs) and girls tend to take a little longer for the physical development- so the weight might stick around longer on them but it will eventually even out. Unless you or your husband are obese chalk it up to a healthy baby. And if the doctor isn't concerned don't worry about it. My 4 1/2 yo son was 10 lbs at birth, 25lbs at 1 yo. I was not diabetic for either pregnancy. Now he's tall and lankey like we were when we were kids. Be happy she is eating and progressing. Hope this helps!

Hi A., I feel for you, I really do. I had/have the same problem with my son. He's off the charts tho in weight and my doc told me to cut him back on forumal a bit and give him more baby food as it has less calories. He will be 9 months next week and last time I checked his weight was a few weeks ago and he was 25lbs. However it seems every scale I use is different. Since I cut him back a bit on forumal and gave him more food he has slimmed down a bit and he's still not crawling he rolls or butt scoots so I'm sure once your daughter gets more active she'll slim down too, she's still very lil and it just takes some time. I'd just try not to worry about it too much until she's closer to a year. Good luck.

my son is in the 97th percentile for weigth...but 95th for heigth,,,,, if your daughter is tall its normal to weigh more.

I think that is very normal!!! I am concerned why you are worried about it now? Usually all babies gain weight and loose it when they are more active. Don't sweat the small stuff. She's just a baby.
Mother of three 14,9,4.

Hi, A.!
According to everything I've read/heard, as long as your baby's height & weight are proportionate (within 10 points of each other on percentiles), your daughter is not gaining too much weight. She might be active later, but trust me, once she gets going, there will be no stopping her!
Good luck!
:)

I also had a big baby girl. She weighed in at 20 lbs at 3 mos. and 40 lbs. at 2 years. She is now almost 6 and she weighs about 60lbs. People are surprised when they pick her up how much she weighs, because she is not fat. I always say that my children have lead in their butts because they are heavy. She is still a bit taller than most of the kids in her class. On the soccer field she uses it to her advantage; when she goes barrelling down the field, the other kids get out of her way. In dance class however, the other little girls look like toys next to her. She is healthy and proportioned and our dr. says not to worry, so we don't. Some babies grow faster than other, but by the time they start school most of the kids are pretty much the same size. Enjoy the fact that she is healthy, and don't worry until the dr. tells you to!

My son is turning 4 months old on the 28th he is 50% in weight 13 lbs 3 and 90 in height. Do not worry too much. !16 lbs is not very heavy! My peds always have said with my 2 as long as they make the chart then they are doing fine. My babies are both 50% for weight and 90% height. I would worry if she were under weight. Once she gets moving she will slim down a lot!

Good morning,

No need to worry, my daughter is 5 1/2 months and 20lbs of beautiful chubbiness...she's in the 99th percentile. And everytime I go to the doctor he says no worry's she's healthy. And I keep tellin myself as long as the doctors says shes healthy....who cares what everyone else says...cuz you know everyones gotta a opinion...but i would definitely not put her on a diet...or reduce her feedings...she's eating cuz she's hungry. And big girls need love to....LOL

Hi A.. I think you said it yourself in your message, your baby will 'slim down' once she starts moving around just as your son did. At the moment, I would just take her cues as to when she is hungry and when she has had enough. I think it is far too early to be worrying about her being overweight.

As long as she is proportionate I wouldnt worry about it, especially if your doc didnt seem concerned. My son was in 75% for all 3 and my daughter is around the 15% at every check up and appt since they were born. Also she may drop some weight when she starts to become more mobile. I wouldnt worry too much, its not like your feeding her fastfood now =)
SZ

Hm. I'm agreeing with most of the responses here: I'd say that if your doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be worried. All my daughters were nice chubby babies and they're the thinnest in the neighborhood. One in particular was a large baby, and she's the thinnest of my four daughters. She'll likely slim down when she gets up and moving. If not, contact your doctor and see what they think.

Hi A.. I wouldn't worry too much. She will even out over time. My son was born 4 years ago at 8lbs 8oz, by 1 month old he was 15lbs 10oz, yes I said ONE month. He progressively got bigger, by the time he was 8 months he was wearing 18 months clothing. He was off the charts until age 3 when he started to slim down. Now he is very tall and to me he doesn't look real skinny but he doesn't have fat hanging off him either. He is about a head taller than the other kids his age. I don't remember his exact measurements, he's about 52 lbs now and the doc said his height is proportionale to his weight. I would just watch her closely, but I don't think a diet is necessary. Good luck! :)

Hi A.,
My two oldest children were both in the 90+%ile as babies, and still are at ages 4 & 6. However, neither of them are over weight. My doctor always told me that as long as their height and weight were proportionate (both 90%, rather than 90% weight and a much lesser percentile for height), then they were fine. I don't think you have anything to worry about. =)
S.

Basically, there is no such thing as a baby gaining weight too quickly. I know a 4 months old who weighs 17 pounds and once met a 3 months old who weighed 24!!!!! They always even out and there has been absolutely no correlation found between baby weight and subsequent obesity.
Good Luck:)

Hello! I dont have much advise but just know that my son is 3 1/2 months old and is 17lbs! My nephew 4months old 18lbs! Your baby seems to be happy and healthy so enjoy the baby chub while it last! I kiss his fat cheecks every chance I get!

Why would you think that your daughter would not be active enough to work off the chubs? As long as the doctor is not worried about her weight, I would not worry either.

Hi there...I wouldn't worry about it right now. My daughter was over 18 lbs when she was 3 months old and she was 28 lbs when she turned 1. She never had a bunch of rolls or anything, she was just solid. She is four now and 43 lbs and very healthy, she is not chunky at all. She has always been in the 99th or 100 percentile and still is. I would say as long as she keeps eating healthy things, not to worry. Oh,and just for future reference :) I think bigger babies tend to walk a lot later, too, just because they have more weight to get up off the ground. My daughter didn't walk until she was 16 months old, and she is fine, so don't worry if your daughter crawls and walks later than other smaller babies. Hope this helps.

My son was also 16 lbs at 4 months, 20 lbs at a year. This is nothing to worry about. I know we are all paranoid about our child being the next type 2 diabetes statistic, but at 4 months I don't believe their weight gain can really be attributed to diet. My son was solely breastfed and he didn't nurse very much but he still gained weight like crazy - my daughter ate like crazy and barely gained weight. My son was 95 percentile until he was 2 1/2. He's now 6 years old and weighs 42 lbs which puts him in the 49th percentile. She will slow down - do not restrict her food intake. If she seems insatiable for a long period of time and goes off the charts and continues at that rate, then you might get worried, but I'm talking 2 or 3 years down the road. Just relax and be glad you've got more baby to love!!

Hi A.,

My daughter was a very big baby too....she was 16lbs at 2 months (doubled her birthweight already). She was 20lbs at 3 months and continued to grow and grow, definitely a very chunky baby but tall too. She's now almost 2 and 40lbs and very tall. Not overweight! All of that to say, I wouldn't worry about it. My husband and I are both in the Health/Fitness industry and nutrition is a big part of our lives. I believe that babies eat what they need. She might be chunky for a while as an infant but as long as she eats healthy foods when she begins eating as a toddler you can feel confident! We also try to make sure with our daughter that we don't ever "worry out loud" about her size because I don't ever want her to develop an eating disorder or think she is anything less than just right!

All of that to say, I would be proud of your chunky little one and don't worry a bit!

:) K.