[Celesyee]

Devin is a BIG boy! At 7.5months old, he's wearing 18months clothes. People stop us to smile and call him "healthy," "chubby," "fluffy," "big," and so forth. Instead of being asked "how old is he," I'm asked, "how much does he weigh?"

His birthmom is on the chubbier side and we have no clue what his BF looks like. So, I'm not sure if his body structure is genetics or what he eats.

He drinks 20-24oz. formula a day (3-8oz. bottles) and eats 3 solid meals a day.
Breakfast is 2-1/2 tbsp oatmeal with 4tbsp mashed fruit
Lunch is 2tbsp oatmeal, 1tbsp pureed chicken, 3-1/2 tbsp veggies
Dinner is 2tbsp rice cereal, 3-1/2tbsp veggies, and 1tbsp pureed chicken
Additionally he does drink 4oz. watered down juice, bites of table food, and some finger food but he does NOT snack or graze all day long. I never force him to finish bottles or his solids (he never turns his head or stops eating, he doesn't throw up from overeating)...in fact, I have to tell him no more even though he still seems hungry.

He is making his physical milestones (though doesn't crawl in the traditional sense) and is very active. He has broad shoulders and big thighs, but is overall not fat.

Here are his stats:

At birth
6lbs. 12 oz. (20th percentile)
17.5" (5th percentile)

2 Months Old
12lbs. 4oz. (65th percentile)
21-1/2" tall (7th percentile)

4 Months Old
17lbs 4.5oz (90th percentile)
25" (55th percentile)

6 Months Old
20lbs. 6.4oz (91st percentile)
26-1/4" (46th percentile)

DH and I weighed and measured him at home last night. We think he is 22lbs and 27-1/2" tall.

Today his ped. suggested I can consult with the dietician if I wanted, but he wasn't too concerned because his height is catching up with his weight. I'm wondering why he would call to tell me this if he wasn't worried about his weight.

So my questions are:
what are your thoughts on his diet? Weight? And when do you think I should be concerned about his weight, childhood obesity, diabetes, etc.?

Thanks!

[myccg2004]

my son was 28 lbs at 1 year. He was very solid. I love a big baby!!! So cute!! Now, he is 5 1/2 and so tall and skinny I can't find pants to fit him.

Once they start walking, they almost immediately slim down. I wouldn't worry, that is so normal.

[zxczxcasdasd]

Little J was just as big. A chub ball. Ate a lot.

He still eats a TON and he's in the 95th percentile for weight. But...he's also in the 95th percentile for height, has the metabolism of a racehorse and is extremely lean and muscular. Not a single ounce of fat.

Wait until he's a few years older. As long as his weight is right for his height, he's fine. It's only a concern if his weight outpaces his height.

[MamaS]

If his height catches up with his weight, you are probably okay. But, my daughter (from Central America) arrived at age 4 classified as malnourished. In the next four years she caught up, and her weight passed her height by about 50%. At age 10, she was diagnosed with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. She had gestational diabetes, and ended up having bariatric surgery at the age of 25.
Because we knew her history, we were very careful with her son's diet. Fat-free milk, no fried foods, no fats (peanut butter, cheese, etc.) and although he is not the least bit overweight, he was STILL diagnosed with high cholesterol at the age of 5! We control and monitor his diet, but the pediatrician says it may be genetic, in which case he will need medication.
Since you know nothing about your son's genetic background, I would say go for the second opinion and see the nutritionist.

[jalapeno]

I really think it's too early to worry about obesity with Devin. Babies grow so darn fast in the first couple of years. And he's likely to get really active in the next few months. And it's so critical that he get proper nutrition and enough calories to meet his growth and energy needs. My DD was actually 97th percentile for weight and 3rd percentile for height at one point. Now she's 50th across the board. With her I really pushed myself to not worry about her weight. I focussed on balance in her diet and (since she's not a picky eater) on trying lots of new things.

I don't think Devin's diet sounds out of line at all. But if you really feel like you need to do something, here are a few tricks I used with my DD:

I gave her the bottle after her meal rather than before. I started the meal with lower calorie veggies and fruits rather than breads and dairy. If she seemed particularly hungry, I would give her more veggies rather than more crackers. As I recall carrots and green beans have lower calories than peas and sweet potatos. Fruit puffs are a decent "filler" also although I don't think they have much nutritional value. I would make sure she had access to water at all times. I used those mesh feeder baggies - just before a meal, I would give her a solid chunk of fruit or a frozen cube of pureed veggie in that mesh feeder. It took longer to eat, it kept her occupied, and it started filling her up before she had the actual meal. And I only fed her at meal and snack times.

Of course now that my DD is older and has discovered HALLOWEEN CANDY , I could be in trouble!

[Celesyee]

Thanks everybody for the replies and suggestions. I, personally don't think Devin is obese, but do admit that he is heavy and solid. I wouldn't be worried if his height was also in the 90th percentile, but it's not. He does seem to have a growth spurt in height, so I'll wait to see what his stats are at his 9month appointment in December.

MamaS--That is exactly what I'm scared of. Just not knowing Devin's birth family history...his birthmom is also adopted and is only 24y/o so she doesn't even know if and what hereditary diseases may await her. DH and I eat healthy and will try to teach Devin healthy eating habits, but Hawai'i lives for spam, vienna sausage, Portugese sausage, canned corn beef. I agree with you and will consult with a dietician after his 9month appt.

jalapeno--Well, Devin does get his bottles 2hours after his meals. But funny thing is, my friend gave me a whole diaper box full of baby food...most of it was peas and sweet potato. I guess I should go stock up on green beans and carrots.

[Fran27]

I'd cut the juice maybe, it's empty calories with not much nutritional value... and maybe cut down on the meat too? I don't know... it seems that you're doing great.

Lots of babies are quite chubby and slim down a ton once they start crawling and walking. I really wouldn't worry about it, especially as he seems to be eating just fine! Chris is chubby also, although still in 12 month clothes but some are getting tight. I'm used to the comments, especially as his sister is quite slim. I think it's adorable personally... and I really wouldn't worry about it unless he's still really chubby after he starts walking.

[loveajax]

C, we called DD "buddha baby"....she was a real chubpot. She has always been in the 90th percentile for weight (though she is also in that for height). I don't think you should try to do anything right now to "slim" him down....when he gets more and more active, he will do that himself.

At DD's three year appt., the doctor said she had a "perfect" BMI. I have always fed her a lot (well, whenever she wants to eat) and have had her exercise a lot.

Obviously, if the doctor is concerned, then I would change your routine. Good luck!

[makarios79]

Originally Posted by Celesyee

Devin is a BIG boy! At 7.5months old, he's wearing 18months clothes. People stop us to smile and call him "healthy," "chubby," "fluffy," "big," and so forth. Instead of being asked "how old is he," I'm asked, "how much does he weigh?"

His birthmom is on the chubbier side and we have no clue what his BF looks like. So, I'm not sure if his body structure is genetics or what he eats.

He drinks 20-24oz. formula a day (3-8oz. bottles) and eats 3 solid meals a day.
Breakfast is 2-1/2 tbsp oatmeal with 4tbsp mashed fruit
Lunch is 2tbsp oatmeal, 1tbsp pureed chicken, 3-1/2 tbsp veggies
Dinner is 2tbsp rice cereal, 3-1/2tbsp veggies, and 1tbsp pureed chicken
Additionally he does drink 4oz. watered down juice, bites of table food, and some finger food but he does NOT snack or graze all day long. I never force him to finish bottles or his solids (he never turns his head or stops eating, he doesn't throw up from overeating)...in fact, I have to tell him no more even though he still seems hungry.

He is making his physical milestones (though doesn't crawl in the traditional sense) and is very active. He has broad shoulders and big thighs, but is overall not fat.

Here are his stats:

At birth
6lbs. 12 oz. (20th percentile)
17.5" (5th percentile)

2 Months Old
12lbs. 4oz. (65th percentile)
21-1/2" tall (7th percentile)

4 Months Old
17lbs 4.5oz (90th percentile)
25" (55th percentile)

6 Months Old
20lbs. 6.4oz (91st percentile)
26-1/4" (46th percentile)

DH and I weighed and measured him at home last night. We think he is 22lbs and 27-1/2" tall.

Today his ped. suggested I can consult with the dietician if I wanted, but he wasn't too concerned because his height is catching up with his weight. I'm wondering why he would call to tell me this if he wasn't worried about his weight.

So my questions are:
what are your thoughts on his diet? Weight? And when do you think I should be concerned about his weight, childhood obesity, diabetes, etc.?

Thanks!

My niece was almost the exact same as Devin as far as eating and weight... She was a HUGE baby!!!! She was 30 lbs before age 1 y/o. She is now a tall slim 8 y/o....She slimmed down a lot after she started walking

[karla-k]

My niece has always been on the chubby side and her pedi said don't worry about it til she is 5.

I think you should feed him as much as he wants to eat. I agree to cut out the juice, empty calories. I don't think 7 months old is the time to worry about obesity and weight Our culture has made us into worry warts.

Praise God that you have a big strong healthy baby

[mommieof2cuties]

My son is on the thin side so I don't have much advice. But my friends daughter is 4 and on a diet because she could eat and eat and looks very heavy, her other child is on the thin side. Sometimes genes play in and since you might not have those records it is hard to tell. I would meet if your concerned, but he appears fine and once he walks will thin out! My foster son is 11 months old, has been walking and on the low low end for weight forever, he is a very active baby. He is only 18 pounds. So the doctors want to fatten him up. My guess is like my son he will be one who can eat and eat and not gain a pound.

[chrisandaaron]

I wouldn't worry at this point. I suspect your doctor took the time to call and suggest the nutritionist simply because they deal with so many parents who don't have a clue what a healthy diet is! It certainly sounds like you are doing just fine in that area!

[akcskye]

I would not be worried right now.

Once he's walking, he'll lose a lot of that baby fat.

Take a look at the 2 pictures of my great nephew.

First one, at 6 months...he's HUGE...

Second one, in my son's lap...he's 4 and perfectly normal size, etc.

It's great to be watchful...but don't make it an issue unless he stays big as he's older and toddling around.

[portlowski]

My son was so chubby as a tiny baby that I nicknamed him "Lord Plumpington Fatbody" (i am a relentless nicknamer) And obesity runs on both sides of his birthfamily.

But babies need to eat plenty of fat for brain development. So we have just focused on feeding healthy food, plenty of fruits and vegetables and healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, etc. The main thing we are super-vigilant about is keeping sugar to an absolute minimum. He is now almost 2 and has never had a piece of candy. but he still drinks whole milk and loves veggies, hummous, berries etc. He is a totally normal weight, 50th percentile for weight and 60th for height. Once he began walking he slimmed down.

I know he may have a struggle with weight as he gets older because of his genetics. We are going to try to focus on eating healthy and getting lots of exericise but try to keep the focus off weight.

[Celesyee]

Thanx everybody for easing my worry-warts! To me, Devin looks healthy and I actually think he's already elongating. He still has thunder thighs, but not so many folds and rolls.

Today we are going to try to remove 1/2tbsp oatmeal at breakfast, 1/2tbsp chicken at dinner, and give only water. We'll see how he does and then reevaluate this evening.

Plus, before deciding if we want to consult with a dietician we will wait to see his height/weight at his 9mo in December.

Thanks Everybody!