Is DS overweight? Should I worry?

[Elderberry]

DS, now 19 months, was a big baby (8lb 10oz) and has always been a good feeder / eater. He is on the 91st percentile plus for weight but only the 50th percentile for height. He loves his food and I often have to tell him no more and try to distract him when I think he's had enough. I'm careful to give him healthy foods and snacks and he is an active little boy - loves running, climbing and walking. Everyone said he would lose his chubbiness and appetite when he got to around a year and started running around but he hasn't! He also seems not to have grown much in the past few months - he's had the same shoes since September and is still in 12-18 month trousers since the next size are much too long (previously he'd be in the next size earlier than his months). Apart from the height / weight issue I have no real worries about him as he is happy and thriving. Having discussed it with the health visitor she's told me not to worry about it but suggested that I could give him semi-skimmed milk. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice? I am worried that if I don't give him whole milk he'll be missing out on essential fatty acids or something (isn't this why whole milk is recommended to age 2?).

I wouldn't give semi-skimmed milk - I've heard that you shouldn't restrict baby's fat intake. Does your ds snack a lot or just eat a lot at meals?

I wouldn't worry if he's got plenty of energy and is running around. You could try and make sure he only eats fruit between meals, or just give him slightly smaller portions - but I'm sure you've thought of that!

Elderberry, don't worry.

DS1 was 10lb 1oz at birth and was on 91st percentile for weight and 50th for height for ages. By 2 1/2 he'd dropped to about 70th percentile for weight and now he's nearly 4 he's average build, average height. DS2 (8lb 4oz at birth & 2wks early) seems even heavier! He's still wearing some 9-12 month trousers from H&M which are the perfect length (and fit under his tummy ) and he'll be 2 in March!!

If you're providing a healthy and balanced diet and he's not stuffing himself on, say, crisps and chocolate don't worry.

I wouldn't worry. My friend's son, entirely breast fed, had the dubious honour of being officially the fattest child in New Zealand when he was small. At 6 months he was the size of your average one year old. Now at 18 he is 6 foot 2, fit, heathy and certainly not fat.

At this stage in his life I would be more concerned with his brain development than any possibly obesity.

My ds is the same as yours Elderberry. At last weigh in, he was 94th %ile for length, and 50th for weight. He is also in 12-18 month trousers (at 18 months) although some 9-12 months Next ones also still fit. He was also 8lbs 10oz at birth!

Mine is not fat, so I cannot believe that yours is. As the others have said, I'm sure that you make sure that he does not have unnecessary fat and sugar (sweets and choc), and that you give him healthy snacks. Don't worry. As long as he is running around, I cannot see that there can be a major problem. Personally I would not give him semi-skimmed milk, just perhaps limit it to the recommended amount, and give water at other times? I do not have this problem, as my ds hates drinking milk, so I have to give him loads of yougurts etc!

I agree with musica about not using skim milk. I was once told by a nutritionist to use whole milk but no less then 2% for my then 18 mo old. I also wouldnt worry too much about the weight at this time. To me he is still a baby. Some children start to thin down a little later.

The good thing is that he's physically active which should help in time.

I had two buddhas as babies. They have both only had semi skimmed milk (now 4&7). Both fine and not fat.

Thanks for all the comments - have decided (?) not to worry about it and am still giving him full fat milk. Coincidentally, the past few days he's been less obsessed by his food, so who knows?!