my mother in law says he may be overweight for his age. should i feed him more ounces and spread out the hours of intake or introduce cereals? thank you
2007-05-31 06:54:55 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My son has always been a large baby and he's tall too. At 3 months, he started drinking 6 bottles of formula a day with 8 oz each during the day (he was already sleeping through the night). He continued this until 6 months old when he started eating 3 meals of solid food a day. My doctor said even though he ate a lot, it was fine and that he would let me know when he was full. Sure enough, with all the solid foods, my son started cutting back on formula and we were down to 3 bottles of 8 oz each. Once my son started crawling and eventually walking, he started to thin out and now he's 19 months old, 33 lbs and 36 inches, but for being so big, he's completely proportionate because he's so tall.
I really believe babies will let you know when they're hungry or full. Don't change anything until you see your doctor next...your baby should have shots around 4 months old then talk to the doctor. He may tell you to start cereal or he may tell you to wait until 6 months. Remember babies are supposed to be chubby! If your son is overweight at 2 years old still, then it's time to worry, but you also can't just use weight as a factor...height plays a big role too!
2007-05-31 07:24:52 · answer #1 · answered by Drew's Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try giving him more and spreading it out but if he only wants 3 oz then do not force it. Go by your babies cues. I would talk to the pediatrician and ask if he is overweight. Maybe he is just a big boy. Is he long also?
I would not introduce cereals. Your Dr may give you the ok at his 4 month checkup (but is usually started at 6 months) and you can talk to him then about his weight. Your Dr may not have a problem with his weight.
I would just give him whatever formula he wants and when he wants it, don't force and once he is not interested-dont try to make him drink anymore.
Good luck with that Lil football player! LOL =)
2007-05-31 07:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by Emily 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What did he weigh at birth?
How tall/long is he?
How many TOTAL oz does he drink in a day?
What does your doctor think?
My son was 20lbs at 4 months old, and he was breastfed. He was 8lbs 2oz at birth. He was above the chart his whole first year and is now dropping down to a "normal" weight. But he has always been a good weight for his height.
Never EVER place a baby on a diet, or introduce solids before 6-9 months (which is when they are developmentally ready), without being under the strict supervision of a doctor or preferably a nutritionist.
2007-05-31 07:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He may be having a growth spurt. Has he always been this way or has it started suddenly just recently? Also, how many feedings a day does he have? Babies up to 6 months need an average of 25oz of food per day. If he is sleeping through the night, for example, and only eating 5 or 6 feeds a day, 4-6oz sounds reasonable. Can you call your pediatrician for some reassurance about your son's eating habits?
2016-05-17 22:04:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
17.5 at three months is big. What was his birth weight?
Three month old bottle babies don't need to eat every 2 hours.
Right now, you are feeding him 36 ounces a day [ 12 feedings times 3 ounces ].
Stretch him out to three hours by delaying feeding times, and giving him 4.5 ounces at a time. This will take a few days.
Then you can try about two weeks later to stretch him out to
four hours, and give him 6 ounces.
He is still a little young for solids - his body isn't ready for them yet and he will just poop it all out.
2007-05-31 07:04:39 · answer #5 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is awfully big for a three month old; he is in the 97th percentile!
Bottle feeding every 2 hours is really more than he needs. I suggest offering him 5-6 ounces every 3 to 4 hours.
After you can readjust his bottle feeding schedule, consult your pediatrician about the cereal. Let him make one adjustment at a time.
Good luck!
2007-05-31 07:07:18 · answer #6 · answered by Rocky Raccoon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He sounds chubby...but if your dr doesnt say anything you are probably doing ok....I started giving my son cereal at night time b/c he always seemed to be hungrey and that helped him....I would also spread your sons feedings to like 3-4 hrs and just give him a little more formula at that time...it will take a couple days/a week or so but that would be an easier/better schedule for you to keep w/ your son....Good Luck!!!
2007-05-31 07:21:39 · answer #7 · answered by tll 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! Your baby is not over weight. You are lucky my daughter at that age was drinking more than that at that age. But now at 9 she doesn't have a weight problem. Some babies are hungerier than others. It is ok for a three mouth old to be a little cubby any ways. By the time he walking he will thin out.
And yes addind cereal to his formula at bed time is fine. Sometimes it fills them up and they sleep longer through the night.
Besides you know mother in-laws like to but in and let you know where they think you are not doing something right even if they know it is..
2007-05-31 07:08:05 · answer #8 · answered by Charlene S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My little boy was doing 6 ounces every 3 hours at 3 months and he was 15 pounds.
Check out the website below it tells you what his percentile is based on his height and weight. It is the same chart that the pediatrician uses.
2007-05-31 07:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My advice would to be to try to stretch out the feedings a little more , try 5 ounces every 3-4 hours. If not for the baby , do it for your sanity...every 2 hours seems a little too much on demand for me. However , I am not a doctor , I just like my freedom , lol...the little 4 hour intervals I do get of it , lol.
2007-05-31 07:06:28 · answer #10 · answered by dustbaby1 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋