Is my baby too fat,overfed?

Question

My baby is 16 weeks old and weighs in at around close to 16lbs. She drinks 6 oz of formula every 3-4 hours although she can go for much longer stretches sometimes 5-51/2 hours. At night she can sleep anywhere from 5-9 hours without waking up for a feeding. People keep saying that we are going to have problems with her later in life, that we feed her too much or that she is too fat. To look at her she is not even fat. She is long, around 23 inches and she is solid not pudgy. Are people just being negative or what?

Answer 1

Being in nursing, I have to agree that your baby seems healthy to me. From what you have said you sound liek your doing the right things.. Normally babies can eat every 2-3 hours but it sounds liek yours is doing it as she wants to which is also fine. Babies are born pudgy normally to protect their growing internal organs. Thats the way God made them. She will grow out of that stage and be healthy and beautiful. Keep going strong girl! Sounds like your an awesome mommy!

Answer 2

You know that they didn't learn how to raise babies until about 15 years ago. Our parents did it wrong, their parents did it wrong. It's amazing we all survived.
I know doctors are suppose to be "experts" and those people who are telling you she will have problems later in life are probably going by the new info that has come out in the last few years. I was a very fat baby, my brother was very fat.... we are normal now & always have been. You are her mother, you know her better than any doctor or "people" who are telling you that you are doing wrong.
I had a baby 3 months ago after 16 years of marriage thinking we'd never have kids. I have multiple sclerosis & I get fatigued & exhausted for no reason just from that. My baby was eating every 1-2 hours, round the clock 24/7. I wrote down every time I fed him in a 24hr period and took & showed the doctor & all she said was that it would get better and NOT to give him cereal til he's 5mo. HELLO?? I can't take care of my baby if I don't sleep for 3 days straight & can't use my arms & legs because it affects my MS so bad. My hubby works 60hrs a week so he couldn't help out much. My baby is 3mo weighs 18 pounds and is 26" long. We are proud of our beautiful big boy! We are raising him using our own judgement and instincts and you should too. Of course you shouldn't let her get like those poor kids on Maury Povich, but you sound like a caring concerned mom & I believe that you have the ability to use common sense and good judgement taking care of your baby.

Answer 3

People for the most part are just stupid. My daughter is very compact but long. She is 11 months, weighs 20 lbs and is 30" long. You wouldn't believe how many people ask me why she is so small! They then go on to tell me how they have a friend who's 1 year old weighs 30-40 lbs. I answer, I'm so sorry your friends don't think more about their children then to make them overweight.

And yes you can overfeed a baby. If you put a bottle in the baby's mouth every time he/she cries, you are setting it up to be an overeater. Babies cry for many reasons and sometimes just need to be comforted, which is what the overfeeders assume means hunger.

But it sounds to me like your baby is just fine. Her eating habits sound good and not excessive. I wouldn't worry about what other people say.

Answer 4

That is right about what my daughter weighed at the same time. She is 7 months now, and weighs only 17 lbs in the 50th percentile and is 27 inches long 75th percentile. The doctor follows your baby's growth on the growth chart, and if they don't seem concerned then you shouldn't be either. My son got a bit "chubby" as a baby, but is 4 now weighs 34 lbs and is 41 inches tall.... I had a few negative comments from people on my chubby babies, but most of what I got was positive. Our family in general has kind of scrawny babies...my dad compared me to a plucked chicken as a baby....so either way there is going to be something. Don't let it bother you...takes too much time and energy away from your Precious Treasure!!

Answer 5

Every baby is different. I had a cousin born at a little over nine pounds, he was the chubbiest baby you have ever seen- he is now three and is very healthy and isnt fat at all. By the time he was three months old he was 18-20 pounds. Sounds normal to me, keep up the good work. Also remember that when she starts to walk and crawl the baby fat starts to come off. Dont worry about anything just remember that she isnt mobile yet so yes she is suppose to gain weight to help her later on.

Answer 6

Well honestly I know nothing about babies and their height and weight. My baby will be 5 months (20 weeks) on August 27 and at her doctor;s appointment on August 14 when she was 4.5 months she was 15 pounds and 25 inches long. She drinks 4 ounces every 2 to 3 hours.

Answer 7

NO, your baby is not fat. My 3 month old is 16 lbs and 24 in long. i really thought my doctor was going to have a fit, but she is normal. your baby will not be fat when she gets older. when she starts walking she will lose that. I also have an 18 month old that is 29 lbs. you feed your baby, and let her be happy. don't worry about what other people say.

Answer 8

Don't listen to what people say. Your baby is doing exactly what she's supposed to be doing, and that's growing. Babies need the extra fat for brain development. Continue to feed her whenever she's hungry, and as much as she wants. You're doing a great job. I also had big babies, and my son is now skinny as a rake. My daughter is 6 1/2 months and weighs 20lbs. My doctor is very happy with the way she is growing and says she's very healthy. God Bless

Answer 9

Babies develop differently. My 8 month old is 27 1/2 inches and is 18 lbs. She is long and lean but solid. My first child is only 21 months old but wears 2T to 4T. It does not matter, as long as the doctor gives her a clean bill of health. The people who keep telling you things such as that do not have anything else to say. Enjoy this time with your child, reflecting and worrying about what people say and think is a waste of your mommy time.

Answer 10

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