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Original poster

I think my DD wins the prize for being the fattest MN baby EVER!!!!

52 replies

dejags · 02/01/2008 11:35

I spend so much time worrying about this.

DD (child no. 3) is an absolute porker. She is 8 months and weighs 24lbs.

She was small at birth and very ill in the early days. At 8 weeks she hadn't broken the 7lb barrier. It seems she has just gone ballistic since then.

On an average day she has:

Breakfast
5oz bottle in the morning
1 weetabix for breakfast

Lunch
Veggies (today she had cubed sweet potatoe, butternut and carrots and a block of watermelon which she fed herself)
Water

Mid afternoon
Wholewheat breadstick or fruit
Diluted apple juic

Dinner
Chicken with mixed veg (equivalent of a jar)
1/2 a Yoghurt

Bedtime
8oz milk

I don't think she's overfed, but I am starting to get paranoid about her weight. My DS's were the same, but as they were boys I somehow knew once they were walking that they would be fine.

24 lbs...

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lulumama · 02/01/2008 11:55

is it a low fat diet deliberately to lose weight or just that is what Dejags is feeding her DD? there is a difference.

TheIceQueen · 02/01/2008 11:57

Although I don't have any girls I think I can see where dejags is coming from. Yes eating disorders occurs in teenage boys as well as girls - but it's more common in girls. Dejags is (I think) concerned that with the modern "image" of what girls "should" look like her DD being overweight as she grows up is a worry. And instead of being able to see that her DD is just growing brilliantly she's worry about the future implications of a potential overweight child.

Original poster
dejags · 02/01/2008 11:58

Low fat diet my arse!

Did you read what she eats in a day.

Get stuffed.

Perhaps you should cast judgement on somebody you actually know.

Am not pissed off anymore, I actually couldn't give a toss what you think

OP posts:
Original poster
dejags · 02/01/2008 12:02

And I should clarify - I don't give a MONKEYS what she looks like. She's actually a really, really cute baby (even if I say so myself)

I care about her health. I nearly lost her when she was tiny. I want her to have the very best start in life. I don't want to overfeed her and that is what I was worried about. She was not BLW'd, although she does feed herself sometimes now, so I was concerned that I was stuffing her too full.

The complete opposite of putting her on a diet.

OP posts:
colditz · 02/01/2008 12:03

Suit yourself. You mentioned that you didn't treat your sons like this, and as I said, I don't know what she eats - but the diet you listed is quite low, fat and protein-wise.

colditz · 02/01/2008 12:05

And I haven't judged you, I've given you my opinion.

TillyScoutsmum · 02/01/2008 12:12

My "little" girl is 8 months today and is also 24 lb. I get comments from some family members (my nan's "what are they going to do about her weight problem" is still at the forefront of my mind !) BUT to me she is a gorgeous bouncing baby with chubby little thighs and cute chipmunk cheeks..

I hate to see overweight children and if she's really big as a 3 or 4 year old, then I might start to worry, but in the meantime, she's just beautiful and healthy and I'm sure your dd is the same

For the record, she also eats more than yours so I really don;t think you're overfeeding her...

edam · 02/01/2008 12:13

dejags, do check out the guidelines for healthy diet for babies your dd's age - you might be surprised, she may well need more fat and protein.

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 02/01/2008 12:13

At one year, dd2 was over 32lb and totally off the height/weight charts.

i was told by many health visitors, that i should pout dd2 on a diet.

i refused.

dd2 is now 5years old. very tall for her age (same height as her almost 8 year old, 50percentil all the way older sister) and is just all skinny. she is very leggy and lean. her weight is still at the top of the charts, so is her height. they came back down onto the charts about a year ago.

to call a baby fat, is just wrong IMO and it caused me no end of stress from the health professionals. peoples comments used to grate as well, 'oooooo isnt she big, are you sure she is only a year old' er yeah. at two years old, dd2 was asked if she was joining the reception children for the induction day.

dd2 has just got dressed, is wearing a pair of jeans for age 7, adjustable waist, have had to adjust it to make it smaller in the waist for her, and a top for age 7-8.

gingerninja · 02/01/2008 12:17

Dejags, looking at your pictures she's absolutely beautiful and doesn't look overweight at all. Honestly don't worry yourself, offer her food and if she doesn't want to eat she won't and vice versa. She's not able to understand the emotions we place around food and weight so will only be eating because shes wants to.

I think Colditz is actually right in what she said but when you're posting about a subject you feel sensitive about it can feel very personal if you are taken to task. I think what she said was actually worth some thought even if her tone was a bit (dare I say) sharp.

Misdee · 02/01/2008 12:24

dejags, i am fairytaleofnewyork, check my misdee profile for pics of dd2 at 9months old, comapred to her school picture. i have put them up at the top for you to see easier.

nutcracker · 02/01/2008 12:27

Another one who had a very very chubby Dd. She weighed 4lbs 14oz at birth but piled the weight on after about 2 mths.

She is now 8 and just right, whatever just right is.

I'd not worry tbh.

Original poster
dejags · 02/01/2008 12:32

I deffo will look at that information Edam. Obviously her diet varies from day to day - the example I gave was just for today. As I said I am concerned about her milk intake - but I do sprinkle cheese over her dinner, I am including yoghurt and she has milk with her cereal.

oh well, I started this thread worrying that I was overfeeding her and I leave this thread worrying that I am underfeeding her.

Oh well, occupational hazard of being a seriously worrier .

Fairtytale, I know what you mean about calling a baby fat, but to be truthful, my DD is fat, there is no escaping it. She's gorgeous though and very robust, loads and loads of rolls and the chubbiest cheeks ever.

OP posts:
themildmanneredjanitor · 02/01/2008 12:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
dejags · 02/01/2008 12:36

that would be a serial worrier.

OP posts:
Original poster
dejags · 02/01/2008 12:39

She's gorgeous Misdee (sorry I can't get used to your name changes).

OP posts:
lapinewyear · 02/01/2008 12:41

ooh dejags, I think you are my next door neighbour, your DD is the absolute spitting image of her little girl! Scrumptious baby

sweetkitty · 02/01/2008 12:52

DD2 was like this an absolute chubby at about 8 months (which was a shock after tiny DD1) she ate anything and everything and was still being BF on demand (a lot).

It's so true though she's nearly two now and once she started walking the weight dropped off.

Babies are supposed to be chubby I read somewhere it's an evolutionary thing the chubbier they were in the past the better able they were to survive all the childhood diseases that went around. The little skinnies just didn't make it.

Be proud of your healthy little girl, she will be a very different baby at 2.

TigerFeet · 02/01/2008 12:53

My dd was a roly poly baby too, she slimmed down once she got on the move and is now an average sized 3yo (well tall for her age but in proportion iyswim)

I do think you are overreacting a bit to colditz's posts but I can understand why - I remember your dd being very ill and that must have an effect on how you feel about her health. However you have to treat her the same as you treated your sons at that age. I knew, and I'm sure you know too, of chubby baby girls and svelte baby boys. Gender has little to do with it imho.

Relax, she's fine, you're doing a good job, all is well

Niecie · 02/01/2008 12:57

Dejags - she sounds like me when I was a baby! My father used to call me Michelin Man due to my rolls of fat. I slimmed out as a child although I was always solid and I will never be a size 8.

My DS2 was a huge baby too but he has huge bones. I know blaming it on his bones sounds a bit lame but some children are born to be big. He is 4 now, has huge arms and legs and enormous feet but very little stomach. He isn't fat as such but he is very well covered (and extremely cuddly). Some children are supposed to be that way. He does look like a giant compared to other children his age though and I worry about what people will say but he doesn't actally eat a huge amount so what am I supposed to do about it? I won't starve him.

I think so long as they are eating healthily (in content and amount) they will be whatever weight they will be.

I agree with who ever said that the charts should be thrown out - they can be so misleading.

spinspinsugar · 02/01/2008 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Acinonyx · 02/01/2008 13:22

I have a chunky toddler who was a BIG baby (20 lb at 5 mo). I admit that I do worry a lot about her weight and try to monitor her food intake (which is very hard when most of my friends let their skinny toddlers graze on biscuits and sweets at will). Our gp did suggest that I put her on a low carb diet but I haven't done that - just tried to cut out sugary, high-carb snacks etc. She looks very cute now - but it is hard both healthwise and in the playground as overweight children (of either sex) get older.

If your boys have slimmed down though I wouldn't worry. DD is an only (and dh and I were both very skinny kids) so I have really no idea what is going to happen. I probably worry too much about it - dh says I just need plenty of worries to juggle.

katepol · 02/01/2008 13:37

From what you have said, your lo's diet sounds fine - you certainly aren't over feeding her. If it really is worrying you, then maybe take her to the GP in case her body is doing something bizarre metabolism-wise, if you think her weight seems a little high compared to what she eats.

Having said that, as a PP said, some exclusively demand breastfed babies can get heavy, so some babies are just meant to be bigger than others, no matter what goes in or how active they are.

My ds is 24lbs btw - he is 2 1/2 (years!) - nowt wrong with him either, and he eats well!

phlossie · 02/01/2008 15:12

My friend's sister was the most huge baby ever - she started at 11 lbs and just kept going. She was blonde and fat like a little cherub. She's now 25, 5ft 7 and so beautiful and slim.
Chubby babies are the best, and it doesn't mean she'll be fat when she's older. You're giving her a healthy diet, which is the best thing you can do along with keeping her active (I'm sure once she's moving she'll be trying to keep up with her brothers). Don't get hung up on it - the worse thing you can do is give her complex about food and weight right from the start!

phlossie · 02/01/2008 15:12

My friend's sister was the most huge baby ever - she started at 11 lbs and just kept going. She was blonde and fat like a little cherub. She's now 25, 5ft 7 and so beautiful and slim.
Chubby babies are the best, and it doesn't mean she'll be fat when she's older. You're giving her a healthy diet, which is the best thing you can do along with keeping her active (I'm sure once she's moving she'll be trying to keep up with her brothers). Don't get hung up on it - the worse thing you can do is give her complex about food and weight right from the start!