Baby 13 months weighs too much? :(

[ncworriedmum]

I've NC for this because I feel embarrassed and like a shitty failure of a mum.

DD is 13 months. We had her weighed with HV yesterday and she is around the 96th centile. This is a jump from around the 65th centile at 4 months old.

She was 8lb 2oz at birth so not a small baby. We feed her healthy food and snacks, she only has water to drink etc. We have, however, had problems trying to wean her off formula milk so she's been having cows milk in the day time for her naps but around 8oz of formula milk before bedtime. The HV said the formula is likely the reason she is on the heavier side for her age as she is getting unnecessary extra calories from this. However HV did also say not to worry at this stage as she's technically still within the normal range (albeit at the top end), and that her weight at this age isn't a predictor of adulthood weight - she said toddler weight at 2.5 years would be a more accurate predictor and therefore tried to reassure us. She also said once DD becomes more active (she has recently started toddling and never stops) she will hopefully become more in line with average weight.

Anyway. Despite these reassurances I still feel like shit, like it's my fault. I'm worried I've created a problem for her. 😞

Has anyone had a similar experience?

It's also a shock because I'm a small framed size 8-10 myself (and have been my whole life), and my eldest DD was a tiny baby (5lbs). How I managed to grow and birth an 8 pound baby who is now heavier than she is supposed to be at 1 year, I really don't know! 🙈

The indicator for concern is whether she's proportionate. So as long as she's on a similar centile for height and weight, she's fine. If she's 50th for height and 99th for weight, that's a problem.

No but HV did also say not to worry at this stage as she's technically still within the normal range

I know but she's VERY close to coming out of it which worries me

Thank you. HV didn't do her height actually. I'll have to do it myself with a tape measure 😂

Baby born on the 97th centile, is still on the 97th centile. He is up and walking, bf, eats a normal amount of food but....still a heffer.

They're where they are supposed to be! Love your baby.

As a PP said, it’s more to do with being proportionate. My first DC was like this and was 91st centile for weight at that age, but was also 91st centile for height so the HV said it was not a concern. It’s hard but try not to let it worry you too much at this stage!

I produced a baby sumo wrestler basically, but he's now evened out and looks in proportion!

In our case he had actually dropped milk altogether at 11 months and never had a bottle or bedtime milk again, and now he's 3 and between 75th and 90th centile for both weight and height. But he was 8lb at birth and just LOVED his food.

HV is right, once they start running around the weight just drops off, I wouldn't worry if her diet is healthy! Maybe change to semi skimmed milk if you're giving full fat.

Both my boys were at the highest on scale but turned out tall and both quite thin.

I wouldn't let it worry you.

What's she on for height?

my friend had this problem with her DD, she used 'follow on milk' & her previous pixie like daughter really put on weight and became very heavy. Trouble is, once you lay down fat cells they hang around begging to be filled!

I would stop with the formula at night if she eats well in the day, it's unnecessary

and she's at the right stage to grow into her excess bit as she's starting to toddle/run around!!

My daughter was always in the 90s percentile wise and tbh i didnt mind it at all. When she got ill and was off her food she'd lose a bit if weight but i was less troubled than if she'd been lower down the %s

Just done her height - She is is 81cm which is 95th centile! She's in proportion then, I think?

Is your partner tall/large? At that age surely it’s better to have a bit more spare, helps them if they have a virus or flu and don’t eat. Once she’s moving it will stabilise. My first was 50th centile at birth, shot up to 92nd for both height and weight at 3 months and was a proper chonker, is now 3.5 but wears size 4 clothes and skinny as anything. He chubs up, grows a bit taller, chubs up, grows a bit taller. The HV has said not to worry, so don’t worry! Totally normal

I'm 5' 9" and my partner is 5' 10" so we're not massively tall I don't think? But yeah it makes sense and I'm reassured that her height and weight are in proportion.

I wonder why HV didn't do her height and explain about being in proportion etc? That would have helped!

Offspring are generally taller than the shorter parent, so your DD will probably be tall when she's an adult

You are doing a fantastic job! Your DD sounds in proportion. From what I've experienced, children don't gain weight as much once they start toddling & get a bit older, they grow upwards and then they slim out. I would advise you not to worry and just let her enjoy her food. Maybe just cut out the formula now. You're definitely not a shitty mum.

One bottle of formula is not making your baby heavier!

Portion size may be something to watch in the future but your lo sounds in proportion if they are on similar centiles for weight and height

I've just checked and there is very little calorie difference between formula and full fat cows milk. Think your hv is talking rubbish.

OP I’ve been there. My DD was 99th centile from birth and not long/tall so out of proportion. This was at birth, through breastfeeding on demand and then when weaning on single veg so hardly anything I could control! She stayed the same as a toddler despite being very active and with a healthy diet. Her 2 year check she was flagged as obese and caused a huge amount of stress and worry. We tried to cut her (already normal and not large) portions but soon realised this was her. We followed/follow the Ellyn Satter approach and she’s now 5.5 and slowly slowly getting taller but minimal weight gain and dropping down the BMI/centiles. She doesn’t look overweight at all (we’ve seen GPs and dieticians who all say the same) and that’s just her and her growth pattern.
Basically I’m saying if you are sensible and reasonably intelligent and can see she’s active and eating well don’t worry. Life is a marathon not a sprint and kids grow differently.

Formula is standardised at 69 calories per 100ml when made up following the manufactures instructions. Whole milk is around 68 calories per 100ml. Your HV is badly informed.

If one bottle/cup at night is giving her a decent night's sleep then don't worry. She sounds in proportion and starting to get active.

I've also been there with ds. Was a heavy baby even when just on milk. Had letters from the weighings at school as he was heavier than his peers although he didn't seem to overeat and was active. Now at age 15 he is about 6 feet tall and slim. He is active and plays rugby and goes to the gym. He has his dad's muscular thighs!

I know it's easy to say but try not to worry. Your child seems to be in proportion and you seem to be a 'normal' mother trying to do the best for your child. My youngest was 6lb 4oz at birth an was always either short for their height or heavy for their weight.........even then I didn't worry. Husband is short I'm average & we are both strong. It used to amuse me greatly that other people (friends/relative etc) would go to pick up my delicate /petite toddler and nearly give themselves a hernia. On the other hand I would pick up others toddlers and nearly launch them into orbit as I was so used to hefting a much heavier child. At 15 they are probably still that way......I still don't worry. I refused to allow any of my kids to be officially weighed at playgroup/school I knew they were fine and it's none of the state's bloomin business (that however is a whole different matter). Youngest child is very sporty, well muscled ,fit and I've no idea how heavy. It's worth remembering that those charts are averages, accurate for a population but not necessarily for an individual; In the same way that top rugby players/weightlifters are often classed as overweight/obese as far as the BMI chart is concerned but in reality they are very strong and fit individuals. Sadly the same cannot be said for me.

Overweight toddlers are usually also taller so using height as an argument that a child is with proportion doesn't work. Growth hormones in young children is regulated by several nutrient and chemical processes .
What is a typical meal plan, especially the snacks you mention?