Any HV OR drs about... Baby off the chart!

[LadyMedea]

I am worried about my friends baby. I am mostly worried because he hasn't seen a health professional since he was about 3.5 months old (and not been officially weighed since 10 days) so there is no one who is qualified to comment professionally as to whether his mum (or I) should be worried.

He is 6 months old and approx 15kg. Looking in my red book 10.5kg is 99th centile for 6 months. So he is now nearly 50% heavier than a top weight baby of that age. He has been exclusively breastfed and is only just being slowly introduced to solids so there is no explanation from his diet.

I understand growth charts, they are created from data on healthy babies, so anywhere on the charts is normally fine for a baby. But I know it's worrying when babies fall off the bottom of the charts, so isn't it equally worrying when they head so far off the top of the charts? 15kg is 99th centile for an 18 month old!

My friend is not worried, but I am. What if he is one of those rare babies with a metabolic or endocrine condition? Any medical professionals out there, would you be worried if you saw a baby so far off the charts?

Thanks biscuit for giving me hope that there is the possibility he is absolutely fine. Reassuring that a baby may 'flat line' for a while. This little guy is showing little interest in solids so maybe that's a sign.

Had a reply from my friend. She took it well bless her but says she is still not worried as he has no other symptoms. If I went behind her back to the HV team I would feel terrible. I think I have to leave it and hope he goes to the GP for another reason or at least gets his 9 month check (although she's not that likely to attend)

Maybe see your HV/GP and ask them (without naming your friend) that if a 6 month old ebf baby weighed 15kg, no other symptoms, would they be concerned?

My ds is 10/11kg at 7m and I think he is huge!! Well done for emailing your friend, sorry she didn't react the way you hoped, I would def have a hypothetical chat with your hv and see what they advise, I can understand why you don't want to go behind her back but I agree with everyone else who has said that this prob needs further investigation. Could you persuade her to clinic to get him weighed for a car seat?! Good luck, what a horrid situation to be in

I'm sorry, I'm sure your friend is lovely, but she's an idiot at best and neglectful at worst. What sort of mother ignores their child being so massively over weight???

I agree with flan I'm afraid. There's burying your head in the sand, but once it's been pointed out, it becomes neglect. If he was uber skinny, you'd be talking to the HV. Please don't leave it just because he's "just" obese.

The thing I'm baffled by is the fact that she has an involved family and family in law, and has had a doula helping recently. She and they are all educated, professional people. Are none of them concerned?

I spoke to a HV last time I had my D's weighed and they just said encourage her to bring him in. The HV was one of the read from a script type (told me my bf and blw 7 month old should be on 3 feeds a day!) And I don't think she believed me either.

Maybe they have mentioned it and got the same response as you? Tbh I thought a doula's area of expertise was pregnancy/birth/early babyhood, (I could well be wrong) so maybe they aren't aware enough to make a big deal?

My DS is 7kg at 17 weeks which I think is massive! (certainly compared to my tiny DD!) however, he's on the 75th, so within 'normal'

That photo looks like my son - except as you say that baby is only 9 weeks old there.

Poor mum and poor baby. Mum is probably embarrassed and burying her head in the sand somewhat.

I had to point out problems on growth charts at the baby clinic
referred to paed consultant where they EVENTUALLY established dd has enzyme prob which has given her rickets
so don't assume it will get picked up

I think you've done the right thing emailing her , it's a shame she won't just go for a check up just to be sure ,although maybe now you've mentioned it she may think about what you've said and change her mind , I know I would if a friend mention concern about one of mine !
If the baby looked in proportion then it wouldn't be a worry but the fact that he's so round would worry me especially as it's restricting his movement .
My son was 9lb 6 born ebf and on the 96 centile but he was very long and looked like an older baby not overweight .
I would speak to hv I think .

Have just noticed today that the weight limit on the jumperoo is 12kg... this baby is already 3kg to heavy for it!

I'm struggle to imagine that a 6 month old weighing the same as my 4 year old can in any way be healthy.

If you can't convince her to go to the HV I would need to be dragged kicking and screaming will she go to the GP instead? It may even be skipping a step as HV would likely refer to GP anyway.

Has the baby had its jabs. If he's as heavy as you say wouldn't the nurse have noticed?