Quick Newborn Weight Gain = Obesity Later On?

Question

I recently read an article about formula fed babies who, during their first week of life, gained weight very quickly and consequently were more apt to become obese as adults. Now, i'm exclusively breastfeeding, every three hours usually (sometimes less) and my 8 day old newborn (8lbs 10 oz) has already exceeded her birth weight by four ounces. I thought she would have lost weight because she doesn't have a very good latch. I should note that I am also overweight (with continuously improving habits). Have any of you had a newborn who gained weight very quickly? Are they experiencing weight problems now? I want to believe that this research is bunk and that weight still comes down to calories in/calories out.

Answer 1

My daughter was 8lbs 9oz when she was born. I do breastfeed too. She lost 10 oz in the hospital because my milk hadn't come in yet. The day I left the hospital my milk came in. 3 days later she had gained 1lb and an oz.
She is a month old now and is over 10 lbs! But she is completely normal. Breastfeed babies are always bigger babies than formula feed babies, but are generally thinner when they exceed 1 year.
Sometimes weight does have to do with genetics, but I don't think that would be an issue this early on. Breast is best. Remember that. Some people think my 1 month old is 3 months. ahh...what are ya gonna do.
Keep breastfeeding. I know I don't have to tell you the benefits. Sounds like you do your research.
Your baby is normal. Don't worry.

Answer 2

You know, someone's always doing a study on this or that, and years down the road, a new study comes out that says, "Oh yeah...we were wrong. This DOESN'T actually cause that." It's ridiculous.

I wouldn't worry so much about fast weight gain as I would genetics. If you're overweight, your baby has your genes, so I imagine if anything would make her overweight later in life, it would be genetics...not her eating habits as an infant.

ALL babies are chunky...they're supposed to be. It's impossible for an infant or baby to be obese during their first year. When they start crawling/walking, they really thin out a lot. Both my boys were VERY big babies (both well over 8 pounds at birth, and both in the 95th and above percentile for everything). They're still (at 2 1/2 and 13 months old) in the 95th and above percentile. My 2 1/2 year old is getting positively skinny. Not scrawny, but he's really losing his chunky legs and arms and he's getting real knuckles now...they're not just dimples anymore, LOL. I can also see his ribs whereas I couldn't before. He's still a big guy (percentile) but it's not because of fat...he's just a solid kid. Like my husband says, "Our boys are built like brick sh*thouses." LOL Sorry, I know that's crude, but it's true! My 13 month old still has his chubby legs, but he's been walking for about 2 weeks now, and I think I can already see him thinning out.

Once your baby starts eating "real" food (adult food) it's crucial to make sure they eat balanced meals and not over do it with the candy, cookies, etc.

Answer 3

My son, now 8 yrs old, weighed 5 lbs 14 ozs when born and rapidly gained weight and was a big baby by the time he was 6 months old. He is now a trim little boy. My daughter, now 9 mos old, weighed 7 lbs 10 ozs and is a very big little girl just like her brother. Myself, I was 6 lbs 4 ozs and grew to be a very, very chubby baby. I was a little roly poly until about 1st grade. I am 5'4" and as a late teen and adult never weighed over 110 lbs until recently when my back was injured pretty badly and I couldn't get any exercise to speak of. Now that I am mobile again it is falling off. BTW both kids were/are breastfed with formula supplement when they got old enough to be mobile and were less interested in the breast.

Answer 4

My son lost weight for the first 6 weeks because my wife had trouble feeding, so we had to go to formula (despite the "advice" of professionals) until he settled down. He then gained weight rapidly, and became far more contented.

He is now 13, 5'10" , runs the 400m in 56 seconds and plays rugby and tennis.

As you say, calories in / calories out. Bad eating / excercise habits are not established at 8 days old.

Answer 5

I alternated between breast and bottle feeding (for my own sanity when leaving the baby with someone while going to the store!). All three of my children were chubby shortly after being born (within 2 months). My last one was a TUBB-O! Gracious!

Anyway, once they start walking (and running) everywhere the pounds just fell off. Also, kids become finicky eaters and lose weight when toddlers and grade school age. My kids are skinny and fit now because their eating/exercise habits have changed.

Make sure your kids don't snack a lot between meals (one small snack between lunch and dinner is usually all they need). Make it healthy like fruit, dairy or grain. Give them many opportunities to be active and exercise. They will burn off those calories!! Remember, you are in control of what they put in their mouth at least until they are in junior high.

Activity is key. Help your kids make healthy choices early in life with food and exercise and you won't have any problem!!

Good luck! Don't worry, new mom! Take care :)

Answer 6

You should be thrilled - four ounces means growth and is not a predication of future obesity. The real test comes when solid food is introduced and how you deal with portions, snacks, bribery (be good and you'll get a cookie kind of thing) and having a clear idea of what is a good serving of food for an age group and no more.

Genetics, parental eating habits (observable behavior), and exercise (or lack of it) are the main issues with child weight gain.
Rest assured and talk to your doctor about your concerns when you reach the solid food stage.

Answer 7

Breastfed babies typically gain weight faster than their formula fed counterparts for the first 6 months. This is normal. They slim down some once they start getting mobile. Be confident that exclusively breastfed children grow naturally, the way they were intended to grow.

Answer 8

My 2 1/2 month old weighs 14.6 lbs and is 24 in long. My 18 month old is 29 lbs. Some babies gain weight better than others. Both my babies were bottle feed. they both started baby food at 6 weeks. the doctor has said nothing about them being over weight. And believe me i do ask! Babies start to lose weight when they start walking. don't worry about it. I did with my first. i was scared to feed him too much for him getting too fat. I don't think it matters if you are breast feed or bottle.

Answer 9

let them gain weight on their own..dont force the children