Fat Baby

[novadandypowder]

My 8 month old DD is on the 98th centile for weight and height, but my HV said on friday that she is overweight and I need to cut her daily formula intake in half.

I've just been going by the guidelines set out everywhere, her typical day was as follows:

07.30 1-2ozs milk cereal made up with small amount of milk + fruit

10.30 3-4ozs milk

12.30 home cooked meal/finger foods + yogurt

14.30 3-4ozs milk

16.30 home cooked meal + fruit

18.30 8ozs milk

I've been using the guide in the AK weaning book, and trying to make sure DD has 1 pint of milk a day (I know dairy foods can count in this). It just feels wrong to cut her daytime milk snacks out as I know she gets vitamins and minerals from it.

Anyone else have a similar problem? I don't think my baby is overweight.

It really upsets me when i see things like this. It makes me so thankful that there are websites like MN around. You have had some sound advice here Nova.

If the same centile for weight and height then she's not overweight. Your HV is talking crap. Either ignore her or go back and bait her a bit, whichever appeals more...

AllieBongo, I wish they were bound by government guidelines, but generally, they're not. Certainly most of them have no hesitation telling mothers to wean their kids at 14 weeks or similarly insane things.

DD was like this too - top of the graphs for height and weight, so IN PROPORTION! The charts show the typical range of height/weight so they need a few chunky babies to balance out the tiny ones.

to convince yourself that everything is ok, look how old your DD should be to be on the 50% line for her height. For example say this is 10 months.

Then look on the weight chart for the weight of an average 10 month old - I bet that is roughly what your DD weighs?

She is just bigger than average - but in the right weight/height proportions

(I have the same problem with my DD, who is 2 months ahead on average in both weight & height, but she is NOT overweight & I'd jump on any HV who suggeted it

Stop seeing your hv full stop. If Mumsnet cannot tell you the answer to a question you have about a baby, you need to see a doctor anyway.

Your baby is normal, BTW, and next time your hv says she is fat, glance downwards and let your eyes rest on HV's tummy for slightly longer than is strictly kind.

nova, bin that HV.

Years ago my first health visitor used to look at my very very plump dd1 and say with wonderfully exaggerated tone "My dear she is simply blooming !" when i had asked if she was fat.
I think all HVs have since gone mad, ours is a rotteweiler.

Hiya Nova

Everyone else already beaten me to it, advice-wise, but I just wanted to say "errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr how is your DD eight months old already please?!"

x x x

hi i agree with everyone that hv's talk a load of balls!! ur dd sounds perfectly healthy and it also sounds as if you are doin a great job so ignore the stupid hv's!!
my dd is 5 months old and i was recently told off by my hv who hasnt got any kids herself because she has put on weight since i started weaning her!! stupid woman!! she said that my dd was in danger of becoming obese and i was to cut down on both milk and food!! i think it is rediculous that someone would suggest to put a baby on a diet unless it were sereously grossly overweight for its height! like you i give my dd mainly home cooked vegetables and puddings (fruit puree mostly) which has virtually no fat or calorie contend so she gets her main nutrition from her 25oz of milk she takes throughout the day. she is thriving on her current diet so why mess with it now?? i told my hv to shut up because not all babies stick to a gradual slow weight gain on the 50th percentile. i suggested that she veiw each baby as an individual and not as a statistic. she quickly finished her notes and said thanx for coming and i was ushered out of the room!! i think i upset her but so what!! in case you havent noticed im a little protective over my lil girl!! i havent been back since and dont intend to either!
hth anywho xx