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Original poster

Can an EBF baby be over fed?

57 replies

Barbies97 · 20/03/2020 14:21

Just that really, I have a 5 and half month old baby. One of my mothers friends saw a photo of him and he is chunky and does have "rolls". She said "have they not had a word with you about his weight? I'd be worried if I was you".

He is on the top of the chart, but what can I do? I don't think I need to do anything but it's upset me (PFB!).

I intend to start solids next month.

OP posts:
doadeer · 20/03/2020 14:23

What? No they can't at all.

What is your baby's percentile? They all grow at different rates.

I would be proud to have a big chunky baby it's lovely!

DesLynamsMoustache · 20/03/2020 14:23

No, so ignore her. If your baby is gaining well and is happy and healthy that's all that matters for now.

ClaraLane · 20/03/2020 14:24

No never! As long he’s fed from the breast not EBF from a bottle then he’ll naturally limit himself. Tell your mum’s friend to wind her neck in!

Bienentrinkwasser · 20/03/2020 14:25

No you can’t. Mine was always a chunk. He’s 18 months old now and to be honest, in the last 9 months he’s only gained a couple of kilos. His weight has dropped right down on the centiles but he’s kept growing up!

greythrow · 20/03/2020 14:25

No they can't be overfed.

Original poster
Barbies97 · 20/03/2020 14:26

Thank you! He is fed from the breast with maybe just one expressed bottle a week if I want to go somewhere.

OP posts:
Thedogscollar · 20/03/2020 15:00

Speaking as a midwife, 100% no you cannot overfeed a breastfeeding baby.

Grumpos · 20/03/2020 15:09

My bf baby was a total chunk, now he’s a toddler he’s leaned right out.
Absolutely loves all food, great eater, not fussy and enjoys meal times. Super healthy and physically robust.
Chunky babies for the win! Grin

quirrels · 20/03/2020 15:11

Mine was always on the 99th percentile. He was very chubby as a baby but once he became mobile his weight dropped. He's now 24 and has always been a bit too skinny and permanently trying to gain weight.

Siameasy · 20/03/2020 15:11

Nope not possible
Do you follow The Milk Meg on FB? She’s really good with dispelling myths like that.

littlepeas · 20/03/2020 15:13

My youngest was exclusively bf until he was about 8 months (tried solids daily from 6 months but not interested) and was very fat, despite reflux and being sick a lot! We used to call him the naked baby cherub, because that’s what he looked like! It was mentioned at his 9 month check (he was tall too, so was fairly enormous). He is now 8 and a super fit and slim club swimmer - he is tall with an athletic build. He thinks his baby pics are hilarious.

shinyredbus · 20/03/2020 15:13

No not at all. Don’t worry.

firstimemamma · 20/03/2020 15:19

You can never overfeed an EBF baby. Breastfeed as much as you want without worry.

Sexnotgender · 20/03/2020 15:25

No, my DS was EBF and was such a little chubber. He had rolls on top of rolls! He’s now 13.5 months and has slimmed a little now he’s on the move.

Tootletum · 20/03/2020 15:26

I know how you feel. I had ebf baby who was off the chart. I actually think they kind of can be overfed but not in a way that matters. I ended up with him being referred to dietitian when he was one but she went through our diets checked our weights amd said there was no issue but to wean onto semi skimmed.

Original poster
Barbies97 · 20/03/2020 15:42

Thank you all, he does have a lot of rolls but I think he's perfect!

OP posts:
pinkperfume · 20/03/2020 16:01

No they can't and enjoy those rolls. My dd was an absolute chunk of a baby and as soon as she started walking all the rolls just disappeared.

ToastyFingers · 20/03/2020 16:02

The official line is no, but my eldest was breastfed and was absolutely enormous. She was a very hard to settle baby though and fed often for comfort.
The health visitor didn't believe she was ebf.

AnneLovesGilbert · 20/03/2020 16:05

He sounds perfect and gorgeous, enjoy him. My DD went through a mega chubby phase before she started crawling constantly and slimmed down more when she started walking. Did this woman Bf?

Crispyturtle · 20/03/2020 16:48

Hello I’m a midwife, no you cannot overfeed an EBF baby and he sounds lovely & healthy. Well done!

GrolliffetheDragon · 20/03/2020 17:01

DS was so chubby! Then he just got taller and taller, and lost all the chubbiness.

I agree you can't overfeed a EBF baby.

Sewingbea · 20/03/2020 17:07

My two were EBF and were huge, 99th centile for DD1 and actually off the chart at one point for DD2. DD1 is now a very skinny mid teen and DD2 is early teens and 2nd centile. That just naturally skinnied up as they grew. Ask your "friend' for her evidence base/qualification in the subject.

LaurieMarlow · 20/03/2020 17:19

Absolutely not and v normal for them to be chunky at that age.

I was always comforted by it. Great to have some reserves if they get sick.

EKGEMS · 20/03/2020 17:32

My two SILs who EBF had chunky babies and four out of five slimmed down with walking and only one stayed on husky side (but took after his maternal side of family very tall and solid.) My medically fragile child struggled to gain weight whilst being ill very frequently so I think parents everywhere should be grateful and satisfied to enjoy parenting a health baby

Endeavour1971 · 20/03/2020 17:37

All three of my BF babies were chunky with rolls. They are all now happy and healthy adults of completely normal weight. No need to worry

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