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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

27lb six month old

39 replies

charitymum · 26/01/2013 19:13

After lost of ongoing wheezy problems and a rude call from health visitor to say son was fat (wasn't the info that he was fat that was rude more the tone - but that has been the subject of another thread where I was duly told, not unreasonably, to get over mysefl) we have checked his weight and at six months one week he is 27lb on home scales. That puts him right off the chart.

He is top centile for height so is clearly big generally.

We will talk to the health visitor for advice too but how the heck did a mainly breast fed baby who we have only just (this week) started weaning get so big?
Any tips on how to help him lose it? We know there are long term links to obesity but are there any immediate risks?

Never had this with other three (indeed other DS at 22 months is dropping down the centiles at rate of knots which is also a concern!)

Help!!

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peachypips · 26/01/2013 19:14

If he is only breasted then don't worry. He's just big and he'll even out.

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charitymum · 26/01/2013 20:10

He does have some bottles when I'm at work or the 22 month old demands booby time. Maybe 8oz a day. Could this be it?

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dikkertjedap · 26/01/2013 20:56

Could you replace formula with EBM? Maybe that would help.

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Anothercuppatea · 26/01/2013 21:04

I think if he's breastfed mainly it's just how he is. Unless there is underlying medical problem causing the weight gain.
When my ds was 3 months old he was on 9th centile and I worried about him being small. Friend in antenatal group had ds on 98th centile and worried about him being too fat. They were both bf. Now at age 3 my ds is on 50th centile and definitely now looks chunkier and taller than my friends ds. We both should have worried less I think as it obviously evens out.

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Inmyopinion1 · 27/01/2013 03:50

I'm curious as to where this attitude that over-feeding with breast milk is in someway magically ok. Your child has been over fed regardless of the modality. I would suggest feeding less as the main way to correct this. Your child can even out over time but as they are currently the weight of the average 2 year old it might be time to re-evaluate how often they are being fed.

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Moominsarescary · 27/01/2013 04:19

I doubt very much 8 oz of formula are making him this big, I'd go to the doctor and see what they say. All mine have been big, ds3 was off the chart at 1 year old but even then he wasn't 27 lb

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charitymum · 27/01/2013 04:38

Thanks all. Going to check with HV. Done nothing different to him than with other 3 and they all been at totally different places on scale at this point but none 'of it'! I suspect in part it's just him but clearly he's getting more than he needs as he is indeed the same weight as his 22 month old brother who is not short.

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Chubfuddler · 27/01/2013 05:44

My dd was about 24 lbs at six months - EBF and only just beginning to wean. Once she got crawling/cruising/ walking her weight stabilised. She's 18 months and 28 lbs now.

My HV wasn't at all concerned.

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munchkinmaster · 27/01/2013 05:52

I would question any advice about losing weight. Children should never lose weight but instead should look to slow gain/keep at a constant weight and 'grow into weigh.'

If not happy with hv maybe ask to see paed?

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munchkinmaster · 27/01/2013 05:52

That should read children should never TRY and lose weight

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Inmyopinion1 · 27/01/2013 08:03

The paediatrician will agree with the health visitor. This child has been over fed.

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twilight81 · 27/01/2013 09:35

So inmyopinon does that mean because my child weighs not much more than that at age 3 he has been underfed????
NO!! It just means all children are different.. And just maybe there is an underlying reason, so what would be the harm in checking!
I don't think your advice is any way helpful..

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charitymum · 27/01/2013 12:05

Inmyopinion he may well have been and I'm open to that possibility and will address with advice from HV. But we are bemused as we have done exactly the same as we have for other three and none of them ended up here. So I have doubt overfeeding alone to blame and I will get paed opinion when we take him in about his ongoing wheeze. He's been in and out of hospital with viral wheeze for last month and not one of them
mentioned weight!

Baby's 22 month old big brother also on top centile for height but down at 50 centile for weight at present because he is so active.

Kids!

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5madthings · 27/01/2013 12:11

You cant force a baby to bfeed! So its very unlikely he hasbern overfed unless you are shoveling solids into him?

Some bfed babies get very big in the first 6mths, his weight gain will probably tail off a bit as he gets more mobile.

As he has been in hospital he was presumably weighed so they could give him the right amount of medication etc? If his weight was an issue they would have mentioned it.

You say he is tall as well so roughly in proportion?

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DomesticCEO · 27/01/2013 12:15

It is also bollocks to assume FF babies are all being overfed - OP, DS1 was a v big FF baby, weaned at 6 mths and as soon as he hit 1yr and started walking the weight just fell off him.

He is now a healthy (if solid!) 4 yr old.

Maybe have a word with GP but it is likely to resolve itself naturally if you're feeding him normal quantities of food.

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Figgygal · 27/01/2013 12:18

I know your pain (mainly back and arm pain) My DS was ff but he's always been up at 99th centile from 91st at birth hes also off the chart for height so pretty proportionate.

he's 13mo now and I've no idea what he weighs at moment he was 27lbs at 10mo but since he started walking he's definitely slimmed down.

Maybe the dr would be able to reassure u/look into any underlying reasons

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charitymum · 27/01/2013 12:23

We've only started weaning in last week or so. Bit of a mystery. He is very long but at least his height plots onto the chart!!!

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EauRouge · 27/01/2013 12:29

You cannot overfeed an exclusively breastfed baby. Not sure about mixed feeding but an 8oz bottle doesn't sound like much. If he is gaining too much weight then there may be an underlying health issue. Breastfeeding is certainly not the problem. I would contact a BF counsellor who may have some ideas. This might help.

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ceeveebee · 27/01/2013 12:33

Wow. Your DS weighs more than my twins combined at that age! You must have biceps of steel carrying him around!
But as other posters say, you can't overfeed a bf baby so sure he'll just be a rugby player or something.

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LemonBreeland · 27/01/2013 12:37

Wowser my 19mo only weighs 21lbs. She is tiny though. I'm sure once he starts moving his weight gain will slow or even stop for a while.

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charitymum · 27/01/2013 12:42

He is indeed hard to carry. His big brother easier. He is too long for car seat and too wide for pram insert.

Bit worried he is not as active as others-he's only just started sitting and can't roll over yet but I'm sure we will sort.

At least they are sharing clothes.....

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Fairylea · 27/01/2013 12:45

I wouldn't worry. As he moves around more he with even out.

Both mine have been huge, dd was referred to a specialist at 7 months as she was in size 12-18 month clothes - they said she was fine. Ds is the same despite being only 6lbs when born he is now 7 months and into 12-18 month vests and baby gros! I don't ever weigh them, just causes a lot of unnecessary worry.

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spanky2 · 27/01/2013 12:45

My ds1 was big for his age. He still is. He's 8and the size of a 12year old. he couldn't sit up and it was nearly impossible to squeeze him into a rear facing car seat .

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EauRouge · 27/01/2013 15:43

Just want to clarify, as well as seeing a BF counsellor I would still carry on seeing your HV, paed, etc.

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Inmyopinion1 · 29/01/2013 03:52

Twilight - not at all, your child will no doubt sit within the centiles on the growth chart. The more useful measure of feeding will be consistency of growth along the centile lines

It often isn't mentioned that children are big in departments because it tends to cause offence or takes up more time if the department is otherwise heaving. The majority of children off the centile chart will eventually find their way back onto it but a significant minority will spend their lives big and the younger people are aware of this the easier it is to address. No one is suggesting that the child be starved or even actively placed on a diet but a slightly more watchful approach to feeding would be beneficial.

I'm not sure why people feel that a breastfed child can't be overfed. If the child puts on excessive amounts of weight then it is receiving more calories than it needs to expend for daily life and growth, ergo it's overfed.