"You don't want an obese baby"!

[HannahBerry]

Hi, I just had my six week check up with GP. I am breastfeeding my DS (new mum). Baby has put on over 4.5 lbs since he was born, and he wasn't a small baby to begin with (8lb3oz)! This means he has jumped 2 percentiles. Doctor then said it was something to keep an eye on as "you don't want an obese baby". I replied that I thought one couldn't overfeed a breastfed babies but he disagreed. But then he gave me no advice of what I am supposed to do; I feed on demand.

Now I think I have made my baby fat! I am analysing what I have been doing these last six weeks. Firstly, I have had no guidance about feeding at all so maybe I have done things wrong? Secondly, although we have luckily found feeding a smooth (but exhausting!) process, baby is so hungry (he is very long) and he eats every two hours. Should I have tried to space feeds out? Thirdly, I also now recognise that I have created a cycle of nursing to sleep, even in the daytime (feed, play, feed, sleep). Perhaps I have been misinterpreting tired cues for hunger cues?

The irony is I was about to give up BF as I thought he wasn't getting enough milk, and thats why he is always hungry! Thanks for any advice x

i had to ask for my stitches to be checked (i don't think they're allowed to ask you to in case you feel obliged - then that's inappropriate)

Can't believe Gp is trotting out this bollox - well done for producing such a strapping lad and for bf ing him- you must be producing wonder milk!

My own GP told me once "We really don't get any training about breastfeeding." This was in the context of congratulating me on DS's amazing growth - he was 8lbs at birth too, and a great big chubber right up to 13 months when he started to walk and it all dropped off.
He was 98%-to-off the charts for weight and height his entire life. Thankfully our practice nurse is also a lactation consultant and just kept congratulating me on my milk!

SO: Congratulations on your milk, Hannah! Congrats on growing a great big lad. Maybe yours and mine will be rugby players together one day? :) Enjoy your lovely baby and enjoy not having to worry about him putting enough weight on. Keep on feeding on demand and give yourself a bloody great big pat on the back and a magnum for all your hard work! :)