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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit pissed off at the HV..

70 replies

INeedMoreCakeInMyLife · 07/08/2018 12:02

Got my baby weighed his morning. She was born on 50th centile. Now between 50/75 centile. She told me she was overweight.. I thought she was taking the piss at first. Then said she'd like to see her in a month for a review.. She's 5m. Since 2m she's gained 2lb a month. Then between 4-5m she's gained just 1.5lb.
She's 16lb now. She's not big at all.. Just chunky thighs really.. Mega annoyed.
I know they're just doing their job but it's still annoyed me.

OP posts:
AndOnAndOn · 07/08/2018 12:04

My health visitor commented when my child was that age 'oh it's nice when little girls don't put on too much weight, they don't need to be chubby' Hmm

Ignore, ignore, smile and show them out your house politely....

Grumpbum123 · 07/08/2018 12:04

Just ignore, they all come in different shapes and sizes. My 4 yr old is just 28lb and has boundless energy!

Pittcuecothecookbook · 07/08/2018 12:05

That's bizzare. I've got my 6 week HV appt today for my first so not experienced in weights/percentiles but hardly seems overweight to gain that amount?

YeTalkShiteHen · 07/08/2018 12:05

They don’t like big jumps in centiles, so she’s probably just keeping an eye on your DD. It’s her job to tell you about concerns, was she rude or did she just say it as a matter of fact?

I can’t really see why you’re so annoyed .

DanielCraigsUnderpants · 07/08/2018 12:06

Ah the joys of weigh in clinics and the dogged following of the lines.

I understand the annoyance but don't let it phase you. From what you've said that isn't much of an increase and they're just keeping an eye on things.

Original poster
INeedMoreCakeInMyLife · 07/08/2018 12:06

It's not the normal one I go to as I'm busy whenthe normal one is open.
My nephew is same age and is 22 lb + and they've not been told anything he's not fat either it's really tall and sturdy.

OP posts:
Kko1986 · 07/08/2018 12:06

My baby girl was 4lb 7lb when she was born since then she's come on leaps and bounds and at the last visit they said oh she's jumping lines so we need to watch her weight I looked at her like she was mad there's plenty of time to worry about that stuff later all you need to do make sure they eat and drink and then see what the future holds I wouldn't worry they just think every baby should be the same lol x

Original poster
INeedMoreCakeInMyLife · 07/08/2018 12:08

It's not a massive jump. I can't seem to upload a pic of her graph.. It's between the two lines. But just noticed they are two weeks out on her age too, making her younger. So maybe that's why it looked bit to her?

OP posts:
RatherBeRiding · 07/08/2018 12:10

Ignore. And you don't have to go for a "review" if you don't want to either.

NoNoCharlieRascal · 07/08/2018 12:16

I stopped going with ds. We failed at breastfeeding and he was loosing so much weight. Started formula and he jumped up to just above the 75th line (line he was on at birth). He's stayed there ever since. Stupid woman started having a go about over feeding and causing him later in life problems. He fed on demand, he's happy, healthy and now at 14 months still following the line. I don't know what training they receive but from what I've seen it must be poor.

Coldilox · 07/08/2018 12:16

My son went from 2nd centipede in weight to 90th within about 3 or four months. He was born three weeks early, and was long and skinny when born. The HV said it was concerning that he was jumping through the centiles. She overlooked the fact that he was on the 90th centilemfornheight, so actually perfectly in proportion. I ignored her

Phillipa12 · 07/08/2018 12:18

With dc1 and 2 i went fairly religiously, by the time i had dc3 and 4 i couldnt be bothered, they were gaining weight nicely and i had no concerns. (The reality was that my old dog was at the vets on a monthly basis and while i was there i used to bung dc3 and 4 on the scales at the same time!)

YeTalkShiteHen · 07/08/2018 12:20

That’s a fair point about height centiles too, the two need to be taken together for it to make any sense.

DS2 looks very skinny but he’s on the 95th percentile for weight and height (DP is very tall)

Original poster
INeedMoreCakeInMyLife · 07/08/2018 12:22

She's just over 75 for height

OP posts:
scortja · 07/08/2018 12:24

IGNORE. STOP GOING ON ABOUT CENTILES. IT MEANS FUCK ALL.
YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS HEALTHY OR NOT. YES, YOU REALLY DO.

YeTalkShiteHen · 07/08/2018 12:25

Then she can’t be overweight. If she’s below 75 for weight but over 75 for height it’s not possible for her to be overweight.

ElinorOliphantIsCompletelyFine · 07/08/2018 12:25

Your HV is talking a load of bollocks.

They're allowed to go one or two percentiles up as they grow, it's perfectly normal.

DS was 75th when he was born, and went up to 91 around that age. Our HV didn't bat an eyelid.

PrincessDaff · 07/08/2018 12:26

Ignore her! My ds was on the 92nd percentile until he was crawling and dropped to the 75th nobody ever told me he was overweight because he wasn't. He is super tall (like his 6 foot 5 dad). You know your baby and if you are concerned about her weight then you take her for a review but don't go if you don't want to.

applesisapple5 · 07/08/2018 12:33

Ignore. I mean, what are you going to do? Stop feeding so much? No! Just ignore or tell the HV they shouldn't say that to anyone else.

pinkypoopsicle · 07/08/2018 12:37

This used to give me the rage! My HV was OBSESSED with weight.

Dc was born above the 90th centile for weight and height at birth. Was then very unwell and needed surgery to correct a problem with his stomach/feeding. Obviously dropped a lot of weight over a few weeks whilst going through diagnosis and surgery recovery.

Once everything was fixed and feeding going well, he jumped up to the 90th again back to where he was, stayed consistent and I was told to cut out feeds to lower his weight, because I'm "petite" so he shouldn't be big, ignoring the fact that DH is 6ft5 with ridiculously wide shoulders to match. DH's relatives are all giants too.

Idiots! I didn't go without DH in the end, it wasn't worth the grief!!! I'm dreading having to go with my newborn due shortly!

Neshoma · 07/08/2018 12:38

Perhaps she was just concerned at the speed/amount she is putting on and doesn't want it to continue and cause problems later.

I'm sure she has your child's best interest in mind.

I wish people would have more respect for their HV's. They train hard and are accountable for everything they do.

colditz · 07/08/2018 12:39

It's not true that centiles mean NOTHING, the issue is that HV's are not actually trained in statistics and don't understand how to interpret the information gained by charting weight on a centile chart. They think 50 is "good" and 75 is "Heavy" and 25 is "light". The issue is the information is there but they are incapable of reading it.

I had an argument with mine because she insisted that 8th centile for weight was dangerously thin because he had been born on the 75th, and she didn't for a second look at his height, my height, or his dad's height. OR the rolls of baby fat on his arms, legs and tummy. She wanted me to take him to the doctors and I said I would but SHE had to ring and make the appointment so they would know who to blame for wasting their time.

DrWhy · 07/08/2018 12:39

HVs are so variable! DS was born on the 85th centile, tracked that to about 4 months then slipped steadily to about the 40th so technically crossed two centile lines, which is usually what triggers concern. My lovely HV told me to look at him, he was clearly happy and healthy and stop getting him weighed!

kaitlinktm · 07/08/2018 12:39

My son went from 2nd centipede in weight to 90th within about 3 or four months.

Oh - please do tell me they measure growth in centipedes now! Please! Grin

colditz · 07/08/2018 12:40

Neshoma, respect is earned and when you have grown women using charts they are demonstrably incapable of interpreting, it's difficult to respect the stupid things they say.