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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder why people are obsessed with a new baby's weight?

58 replies

mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:04

Yes I understand it's important for a baby to gain weight as it's a great indicator of health, but why the weird judgement of non health professionals? "Ooh she's lost a bit I hear," said by aunts etc.

It's just irritating. Then you feel like you need to justify the stupid comment. "They do lose a bit in the first week," blah blah.

It's just weird! Why!

OP posts:
Goblinchild · 17/04/2013 16:53

'Likewise losing weight meant that if the child got measles or flu or d&v it had a better chance of winning the fight.'

Well, that doesn't make sense, I blame the furry ginger bum that sat on my keyboard.

Fatter babies were seen as more able to fight off infections, losing weight was a worrying thing.

Goblinchild · 17/04/2013 16:51

As an oldie, I remember the days when the weight of the baby was a key to whether it was going to survive easily or not. Likewise losing weight meant that if the child got measles or flu or d&v it had a better chance of winning the fight.
So it wasn't an idle question, it showed interest and understanding.

littleducks · 17/04/2013 16:51

I always ask how much a new baby weighs, would normally ask how much they gain or anything. To me honestly its amazing to think back that mine were that size/bit bigger or smaller as new babies seem so tiny to me now.

If you said around 6/7/8 pounds I'd be satisfied I wouldn't expect an exact weight.

TWinklyLittleStar · 17/04/2013 16:51

But what SHOULD I say?! Otherwise I'm left standing there saying 'cute baby, er, nice outfit', then it'll turn out that the mum has been bullied into putting their baby into 'proper' clothes by their MIL so that would be wrong too!

valiumredhead · 17/04/2013 16:50

It's important because it's an indicator of how well the baby is doing, if it's 3lbs it's likely to be in SCBU!

Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:50

I'm more on about sustained weight questions after the birth I think

OP posts:
Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:49

I agree actually Mette!!

OP posts:
Mette7 · 17/04/2013 16:48

I kind of know what you mean though OP, I have always wondered why it's so important to announce how much the baby weighed when it was born. I don't really care how much a baby weighs as long as it's healthy, and yet when DH tells me so-and-so's had a baby but he doesn't know the weight, I feel like I'm missing some vital piece of information and make him find out for me! Confused

Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:47

Oh and mum/baby not present

OP posts:
Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:46

Sometimes it does come across as a bit nosey though...And I've just remembered why. I have been present at a couple of conversations where people have been a bit sneery about a baby's weight/loss.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 17/04/2013 16:43

It's standard baby talk not putting a new mum on the spot! Good grief!

Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:43

I feel really mean now!

OP posts:
badguider · 17/04/2013 16:42

newborns are pretty boring though aren't they? i mean, all they do is grow... not much else you can say is there?

if you don't want to discuss it, just say you don't know what the current weight is but baby is healthy and doing well.

TWinklyLittleStar · 17/04/2013 16:39

What do you actually want people to say? I'm sure if they just talked about last week's Britains Got Talent or whatever, and didn't mention the baby, most new mums would be rather put out.

Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:36

Princess that made me giggle!

OP posts:
princessx2 · 17/04/2013 16:30

I swear my ex-best friend fell out with me over the weight of dd1. We had similar birth experiences (induced, in 'labour' for 36 hours, then emergency section) but my dd was 2lb heavier than her ds. She really didn't like being outdone by anyone!

BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 17/04/2013 16:23

I have been pretty much housebound for 3 weeks (recovery from C+section then shitting wound infection)

I've had oodles of visitors but have very little to say to them other than newborn stuff (and Homes Under the Hammer) so I'm happy to discuss birth weight and gain (8oz in 2 weeks - chunky boy!)

s'just conversation innit!

Flisspaps · 17/04/2013 16:21

DS was fucking enormous, it was the number 1 talking point about him. Didn't bother me in the slightest, there wasn't much else to ask about him!

purrpurr · 17/04/2013 16:21

I never used to get it either. I still don't really. It always seemed to be a random fact to share with so many people, e.g. on FB birth announcements. I'm 37+3 and I think my birth announcement will go something like, 'DD born on X day at Xam, fully functional, all fingers and toes present, likes to open mouth and go 'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh'. Please send wine.'

People don't actually ask you about your labour do they nananaps? Cripes.

Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:18

I feel put on the spot. Yes I'm an uber sensitive person.

OP posts:
Original poster
mylittlepuds · 17/04/2013 16:17

Fair points. I'm being a meanie. I just find it really irritating. I did last time around and do this time.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 17/04/2013 16:13

Some people seem rather sensitive.

I bet if people didn't ask about the baby people would complain about that too!

wimblehorse · 17/04/2013 16:12

Why is it putting a new mum on the spot? As sirzy says it's just a talking point as they don't do much else...

treas · 17/04/2013 16:12

Why so sensitive?

OrangeLily · 17/04/2013 16:12

Because you want to sound like you care. To be honest unless the baby is failing to thrive Im not going to give a flying fuck but its how you show concern and care. You can't really ask about the state of Mum's fanjo after the birth or how many tears she has. You can't ask how the baby is feeding because she'll be sensitive about breast or bottle feeding. There is literally bugger all you can ask.... " How's your baby? Still siting there son very little?" ..... "Grand..see you later".