Should babies have tons of rolls??

C. - posted on 07/09/2010

Thank you ladies.. I have kept my mouth shut. I still fear for her baby, though. My mom saw her picture on FB and was shocked that nobody seemed to be saying anything to her (she thinks it's b/c my friend is so young- younger than me- and she thinks no one wants to make her feel like she's a horrible mother. Which is understandable, but I think there comes a time when something should be done..)

But alas, I won't say anything. But I will regret ever second of that decision should something happen to her baby. Ah well. Thanks again for posting :)

Sapphire - posted on 07/09/2010

I wouldn;t say anything and leave it up to the pediatrician to document and comment on. I never had a chubby baby. Mine was pure skinny mini and barely put on any weight. He was just under 5 pounds at birth and it took so long to get to that 10 pound mark. Thankfully, by the time he was 2 he started actually looking more healthy.

Ashley=) - posted on 07/09/2010

Theres healthy babys and theres babys that are way off the mark for there age and height.I am sure there doc would of said if bub is over weight,come on my daughter whos my second was born 6lbs 50z and i saw every bit of weight go on to her and at 8weeks she was over weight at 9lbs 10 0z and i was so upset and asked how much over weight and the nurse said by 3oz LMAO so i think if the baby is lbs over the mother has been told.lol.

Rosie - posted on 07/07/2010

i wouldn't say anything. doctors are going to tell her if her child is obese or not, and what to do. just support her if she asks for it. :)

Sharon - posted on 07/07/2010

I can't say I agree with Christina P. I can't see the baby but I did know a baby that had me concerned.

Somewhere inside a part of me was screaming "THAT CAN'T BE NORMAL!!!!" This baby was so fat - you couldn't put her feet together. The only way her knees met was because the rolls of fat touched.

She was so fat that she was months off crawling and when she pushed herself off her grandparents bed and landed on her feet? She broke her leg. Because of the fat. I was friends with the moms' sister. I was there when the health care workers visited. There is more to it than that but those are the basics of the situation.

Joanna - posted on 07/07/2010

If there is a problem with the baby's health, I'm sure she's been made aware by her doctor.



My daughter was 9 lbs, 19 inches long when she was born (yup, short n chubby, super sweet!). We called her the Michelin Man baby. Rolls and rolls and creases, and we loved it. She was always in the 97+ percentile, and was perfectly healthy throughout childhood, as she is perfectly healthy and 38 lbs now at almost 3.



If a friend would have told me she was concerned for my child's health, the health I was responsible for taking care of, and did, then that friend probably would either not be a friend anymore, or, if she said it in my more depressed of times, would have gotten a slap in the face.

Sara - posted on 07/07/2010

My nephew was in size 5 diapers at 6 months old. When he started crawling, he slimmed down. He's a normal 12 year old now...some babies are just bigger. I don't think at this point it's something to be concerned about.

C. - posted on 07/07/2010

Oh geez, I know babies aren't supposed to be svelte, Sara. But when they start looking like a morbidly obese adult AS A BABY??? That is when I get concerned.



And thank you, Sharon.

Sara - posted on 07/07/2010

Babies should have rolls, what are they supposed to be, svelte? I would not say a word to your friend...they don't start measuring BMIs until the age of two, so until then...

Sharon - posted on 07/07/2010

To bad. Evidence points to the mom simply feeding him empty calories.

But if you say something - I think it'll blow up in your face. Say nothing. He's 5 months old, difficult to encourage movement and active play. She needs a friend more than a critic right now, so stay quiet.

C. - posted on 07/07/2010

Haha.. Sara, I had some rolls, too.. Of course, I was 10lbs 9oz and short and fat at birth (just to give you an idea, my dad called home to tell my sisters and brother that they had a butterball :) )

Thanks, ladies!

Oh, and Sharon.. The parents are small.. The dad isn't quite 6' and my friend is about 5'3 and they are both small-framed.

Sharon - posted on 07/07/2010

LOL Say nothing.

You might say "My ped got on me for the baby being chubby, has yours said anything to you?" See where that goes.

Heres' the thing. There is NO WAY I would NOT feed my baby if he cried for food. I don't like the idea of an obese baby, and it sounds like she's feeding him empty calories. There are some other factors... how big are the parents? I don't mean fat, I mean how tall? Bone structure? Those play a part too.

Good Day! - posted on 07/07/2010

I had rolls for days when I was a baby. I was strictly breastfed until about 5 months or so. Some babies are just like that. By the time I was a toddler, I'd lost all the rolls and was actually very skinny. Now I'm at a fairly normal, healthy weight for an adult. It's probably okay.

ME - posted on 07/07/2010

My son has always been tall and skinny, my daughter is very chunky, and dimpled, and darling ;-) My son weighed 8.4 at birth and my daughter weighed 8.6. Both were/are EBF...Babies are all different. There isn't anything to worry about until baby is eating solid food exclusively or until around age 2...I wouldn't say anything to your friend!

Fiona - posted on 07/07/2010

At 5 months age the only accurate indicator of whether a baby is gaining weight appropriately (or otherwise) is to check weight and height percentile and track changes on both to see if they are in accordance with each other as well as whether growth rate is consistent and steady. Also the size of the parents should be taken into consideration. BMI is not something that should ever be used to assess children under 2 years old. I do think this is between her and her child's doctor and that whoever is monitoring her child's growth and development would surely be aware if this was a concern.

If baby has started solids at 5 months I would be more interested in what solids and at what rate they have been introduced, is baby breastfed or formula fed, if formula, how much is baby drinking as well as how much solids are they eating. Looking at those factors before any alarm bells started ringing, not just because baby is 'bigger'. I think it is dangerous to compare one child with another, they all grow at different rates and as long as baby is getting adequate nutrition and not being forced to eat more than necessary then I don't see an issue.

If you are actually asking for opinion on whether you should say anything, my view is that it would be best to mind your business. If she is already under stress in her relationship she may not appreciate a friend adding to that, she may rather you were supportive and someone she can lean on. Unless you think the other stresses in her life are a contributing reason to be concerned about her child's weight. If she actually turns out to need help or advice on managing her child's diet or development, she will be more likely to turn to you if you are quietly supportive rather than actively judgemental.

Andrea - posted on 07/07/2010

I have seen many baby like this including my niece which now 13 1/2 months. I hate to guess how much she weighs now but a 6 months she was 25 lbs and fairly short. The point is most Dr tend not to be concerned about it at such a young age. There reasoning I'm not sure. Personally I wouldn't say anything. My guess she already knows what her baby looks like and how much her baby weight and if her Dr hasn't had any concerns that I would say anything. I could see were someone would take offense to another person comment of some thing about there baby even if your a friend.

Johnny - posted on 07/06/2010

I'd have to agree with Nikki. At 5 months, it's probably just normal baby fat. Unless she is already stuffing him with food, there is probably nothing to be concerned about. Babies just getting breast milk or formula usually self-regulate. Obviously some people will force feed their kids, but unless you think she's doing that, he's probably just a "little sumo". That's what we called my cousin as a baby. She was so rolly and pudgy, and now that she's in her early 20's, she's the slenderest of the entire family. My daughter was always a slender girl, but I think pudgy babies are pretty normal.

C. - posted on 07/06/2010

Ok, Nikki.. First, I am all for chubby babies. Every one of us in my family has had a chubby baby. BUT we have never had a baby that had rolls upon rolls of fat, not chub, but fat. AND he IS eating solids and he is just getting bigger and bigger. I don't know if she's feeding him too much or what. He's not very tall and he's a lot 'bigger' than most babies. It looks like he's borderline obese. If I could show you a picture of him, I would so you could see what I'm talking about. He just doesn't look healthy. He looks overfed. It has absolutely nothing to do with what 'society' is telling us.



Heck, MY SON'S Ped's told ME that MY son was 'too big' b/c he was chubby. I can't imagine what her son's Ped's are telling her..

Nikki - posted on 07/06/2010

its a baby, my lil boy had lots of rolls. I loved that he had rolls, I loved that he was solid and ate, he is one of the heatlhiest little boys around, now he runs around all day and no longer has them anymore, i do miss calling him rollie pollie ollie. Both my husband and I and our siblings were chubby babies and we all turned out fine. I really think its sad that the way society has made us view things that people are worrying now about babies weight. Until they start eating solids and you can control what type of food to give them, there is nothing to worry about. A chubby baby shows that they are getting enough nutrients in their diet, its much better for a baby that young to be eating versus being underweight and having to deal with those issues

Becky - posted on 07/06/2010

I would probably mind my own business. If there is reason for concern, I would think her doctor would be addressing that with her - unless she's not getting regular medical care for her child, which is another issue entirely. Plus, it may be something she is already aware of and trying to deal with, and bringing it up would just make her feel bad.