Is it really "overfeeding"?

Rachelle - posted on 06/08/2010

My son was born October 15, 2009. I waited to start solids at 6 months. He is still only getting breastmilk and no formula. He eats solids twice a day. I don't feed him rice cereal since it really isn't necessary. He eats a lot of vegetables, poultry and fruit. He has always been in the higher %iles on the growth curves. He was 7lbs 9oz at birth and 21 in. Currently, he is 20.5lbs and 29in and in the ~70th %ile for weight, 81st %ile for length and his head is over the 100th %ile. Really, all that is important is that the babies follow the same curve on the growth chart over time. Unlike many other things, our goal should not be in the 100th %ile. Research is beginning to link bottle-feeding and formula feeding to obesity later on. My son has only gotten breastmilk since birth, but he has been exclusively bottle-fed with breastmilk since he was about 4 1/2 months old when I went back to work. The thought is that babies that are breastfed at the breast self-regulate themselves...whereas with a bottle, parents tend to try to get every last drop in! But I agree with all the above comments, babies will let you know when they are full and don't want anymore to eat. Just follow the cues.

Lacey - posted on 04/24/2010

No I think you need to feed your baby if your baby is hungry! My daugther eats a lot. I dont know how much she weighs but I am gunna guess around 17-18lbs and she eats about 3 tablespoons of rice cereal and she will drink 3 oz after that and then for lunch have about 7oz of formula and for dinner half a jar of baby food and 4oz bottle and at night she eats alot before bed! probably almost 10oz of formula... LOL I really wouldnt worry to much about it. If your baby is hungry your not about to let him or her starve! But the doctor is just loooking out for your best interest also. But as soon as your baby starts crawling and being more active, he/she will wanna eat even MORE! :) I say LET THEM EAT!

Sky - posted on 04/23/2010

i didn't mean to imply you weren't taking your child to a pediatrician, just that you might look in your local area for a possible second opinion...it just hit a red flag for me to hear a doctor telling you that you overfeed your baby...the only way i could think of a way to overfeed is to feed your child to make them be quiet. sorry if i stepped on toes!

Jen - posted on 04/23/2010

That was a pediatrician and I only bf for the first 3.5 months.

Sky - posted on 04/23/2010

my son has the very same birthday and is like the SAME height and weight...our doctor says he is healthy!! holds his head on his own, smiling, trying to talk to us, almost crawling!!!! the only difference is that we have to feed Zander formula because my milk never came in...you might want to look into another pediatrician?? just to see what kind of other doctors are out there...

Jen - posted on 04/22/2010

My gosh no!! Your baby will tell you how much food he needs. My son was born a day after yours and just weighed in at 20lbs. He eats much more than your little guy and the doctor says he is in the 75th percentile and healthy. :)

Stacey - posted on 04/21/2010

I totally understand Y you are confused, DONT WORRY, RElAX!
On the other end of the scale My Kaley is 6mo, weight 15Lb 8oz (7200grams) & 67.5cm
Q' to ask yourself, is he ticking all the boxes for his developmental age? Does HE seem happy and content? Does he whine, winge seem unhappy, does he sleep enough? As his Mother, YOU KNOW HIM BEST!!! Yes the Mat nurse and Docs have there scales ect, although when did they make a particular scale for YOUR BABY? If all babies were the same height, length, weight...there would be no point in percentiles. :-D A happy family means a happy baby!!

Candice - posted on 04/19/2010

You can't over feed a BREASTFED BABY! The rice cereal and baby food is really just for taste experimentation than actual nutrition sake (although they do have nutritional value! a bonus!) a breastfeed baby will pull away when done. My son (oct 3rd) is 20 lbs 12 oz and is 26.5 inches long. he is mostly breastfed and gets some rice cereal. (mostly because he was sick lately and didn't want any solids) Your Dr obviously doesn't understand the feeding nature of a breastfed baby. No one has ever told me i was over feeding ANY of my breastfed children. (I have 3)

Coley - posted on 04/19/2010

The only way to "overfeed" a baby is to force them to continue eating when they're full, or by stuffing a bottle in their mouth every time they make a sound. It also depends on their activity level. A baby who is constantly zooming around the house and climbing on everything (like mine) is going to need more food than a baby who is content to relax. My 6.5 month old son eats 3 jars of food, and a ton of cereal on top of about 20+ oz of formula, and is about 28in and 22lbs.

Krystal - posted on 04/19/2010

i don't believe in overfeeding!!!! both of my kids have been big babies... my son was 9lbs 13oz at birth and 32lbs at 1 yrs old(hes 6 now... 55llbs) and my 6 mo old daughter was 9lbs 1 oz and now is 21lbs and 25 1/2 inches tall. my son was on cereal at 3 months old and my daughter was 4 months. she is eating 2 oz of cereal 3 times a day and 5 or 6 8oz bottles a day. so if your baby is healthy and happy keep on feeding!!!! lol

April - posted on 04/16/2010

i don't think that you have anything to worry about in this area. my child is bf and eating 3 jars of baby food a day at times. it just depends on the child what and when they will eat. as long as your baby is happy i wouldn't worry much about what the doc says in this area. all babies are not the same and docs forget this from time to time considering that they go on what the average is. when they start crawling and walking it will melt off. i'm sure you are doing a great job so please dont worry about it as much. if you are truely concerned i would get a second opion from another doc.

TaMika - posted on 04/16/2010

Aweome! My youngest was born on the exact same day/year, so I can truly relate. & I also would like to suggest that it's just your particular doctor? I say that b/c my son being the same age & etc is weighing in @ 24lbs 9oz & 31inches!! He's off the charts for his weight!! Naturally, I was worried I was giving him too much to eat only b/c his doc said it wasn't unusual for babies thier age to be between 15 & 18 lbs but she also reminded me that every baby is diff. whether it be genetically or otherwise. If he's not throwing the food up & he's still "asking" for it then it's b/c he needs it. They will let you know when enough is enough. Rest assured MOMMY, you know what's best for him & will recognize what isn't. Congrats on having a healthy lil one. :)

Kendra - posted on 04/16/2010

My baby was born oct 1st and weighs 23 pounds and is 28.5 inches long! He has grown and grown. The doctor said not to worry about overfeeding unless he is throwing up after words. She said he is perfectly proportioned for his height and weight. when he is full he tells me!!

JuliAnne - posted on 04/16/2010

What size are his clothes just out of curiosity?

Natasha - posted on 04/16/2010

I don't think you can overfeed a child as long as you stop feeding him once he clamps his mouth shut! my girl was on spoonfeeds at 17 weeks and now at 6 months is on 3 full meals a day and 28oz milk. I think 30oz is max you should give when a baby is getting full meals but I could be wrong. He'll soon start getting taller and more in proportion!

Nicola - posted on 04/16/2010

my baby weighs more than that and is a little longer also - he is bottle fed and on solids - he has 3 small portions of solids a day and 4 bottles and sleeps the night 12 hours - he tells me when he is full so i dont think its over feeding - he is way off the scale in terms of centiles, he is a big baby and when he starts moving it will all come off - dont worry - people are obsessed about babies weights - you cant change the way they are

Rosanna - posted on 04/15/2010

My son was born Oct 1, 2009. He is 6 1/2 months old. At his 6 month checkup, he was 27 inches and 16 lbs. He's a string bean. He BF's when I'm home at least every 3 hours and eats all of the milk I've pumped from the day before when I'm at work. He also eats at least a couple of oz of solids 3 times a day. I think it's really just the way your baby is growing now. If he seems healthy, you're fine. He'll slim up when he's more mobile.

Leslie - posted on 04/15/2010

appearances in babies must not be closely related to weight. i feed my son tons more than you feed yours, and he was born the day before, but he looks much much more skinny! lol, i know im gonna get grilled at his next doc's visit!

anyways, its probably just a cute chubby phase for him that will pass soon after he has a growth spurt! so enjoy his little cheeks while they're there!!!! :))

Judith - posted on 04/15/2010

my son was born oct 7 he weight 14 lb 110z and 25 1/2 inches long. i was worries by the doctor he is fine

Tabitha - posted on 04/15/2010

My child is one day older than yours and was born 5lbs 7oz. Right now she is 16lbs 4oz. She eats 3oz of jar baby food 3 times a day and has a bottle anytime she wants it......My doctor told me that no matter what if she cries that she is hungry than I am to feed her period!!!! Right now at this young an age all the baby fat will disappear. I believe that if my child is hungy and I dont feed her than I am neglecting her of her needs and I feel that I would be a bad parent if I did that..... As long as your baby is healthy and happy..... :)

Sylvie - posted on 04/15/2010

Hi, My son was also born on Oct 29 and weights slightly over 20 lbs now. I just come back from the doctor this morning and she said that his weight and length are perfect and that this is what she would like to see with all babies! I know my son is a big chubby boy, but so far, all dr consider that healthy rather than a concern! He is exclusively breastfed, as he refuses the bottle and solid food. I don't see how you could overfeed your son while breastfeeding! The little solid food you offer in addition seems very reasonnable to me. Don't worry, and you might want to consider changing dr!

Krystal - posted on 04/14/2010

Ok, so I'm new to this circle of moms thing, but even I know that you can't really overfeed a baby. My daughter was born on 10/31/2009 and she was 3 weeks early and weighed 7lbs 9oz and I constantly had people telling me she was so tiny. She's definitely not tiny anymore. At 51/2 months she seems like she's about 17 or 18 lbs and just a chunk. I haven't gotten her to eat baby food real well yet. How did you guys do that so quickly? She licks the spoon but doesn't know how to swallow very well. Am I just supposed to practice with her until she gets better at it? She eats formula with cereal all day long. Now I'm afraid of what her pediatrician will say about my daughter at her 6 month checkup!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/14/2010

My daugther was born at the same time as your son and her measurements are the same. My doc is quite happy that her curve on the growth chart is consistent. Your son is healthy - and once he starts moving he will not put on weight as quickly! Do not worry you are doing a great job as a mom!

Hope - posted on 04/14/2010

If you not actually overfeeding I wouldn't listen to your doctor. Some babies just hold their weight different ways. I feed my son the same amount of food as you do, sometimes more and he's only 15 lbs 10ounces at his 6 month check up which is in his 20th percentile.

Nicole - posted on 04/14/2010

Your doctor is a FREAKING IDIOT.
I would get a new one ASAP.

Jada - posted on 04/13/2010

my daughter at 6 months weighs 19lbs 13 oz and is in the 97th percentile for height head size and weight and i feed her 3 meals a day along with bottles and mum mums for snacks my doc approves,if shes hungry, feed her :D a chubby baby is a healthy baby, when they arent moving around they gain weight quickly, then once they get crawling their gain slows right down

Vanessa - posted on 04/13/2010

I'm a mom of three and I've never heard of overfeeding I've heard of feeding the wrong things but not overfeeding. My youngest was born 28 Oct 2009 she weighs 16lbs and is 25inches, the doc says shes perfectly fine. She eats cereal for breakfast, fruit and veggie for lunch and a bit of cereal or fruit before bed. Shes also still breastfeeding on demand throughout the day. As long as the baby isnt throwing up then I dont see your overfeeding.

Kelly - posted on 04/13/2010

My baby was born October 27, and was 20 lbs., and 26 1/2 inches at his 5 month check up. The doctor just said "Wow, you should be so happy that he's so healthy". My baby, Logan, did that almost entirely by breastfeeding! So, how would the doctor explain that? I've since added rice cereal and about 1 jar of baby food a day (which seems about exactly what you have) I would say that maybe you need to find a different pediatrician. Sounds like you're doing a great job!!!

Katrina - posted on 04/13/2010

Don't worry My baby girl born 4th october weights 20lb and is 28 inches long she is in the 105th percentile in Australia. My doctor said don't worry about weight until 1 year old as they aren't active enough till then, so they can't really tell if there is a problem.Besides chubby babies are cuter.

Jacey - posted on 04/13/2010

ok. So i have a friend thats baby is big to and trust me you dont want to get caught up in how she felt. She felt like everybody was laughing at her baby and was always worried about if she was eating to much, but bfed babies even out as they gat just a little older than yours so your ok. plus the baby knows when hes hungry, not the doctor. I just try to play with my boys or lay him across my legs on his stomach first to make sure that hes really hungry n not just bored or has a tummy ache. And both my boys are in the 70 percentile at that age. Also I think they mess with peoples heads in the hospital saying they have to eat every 3-4 hours because you don't need to feed him just because you haven't done it in a while.

Lynette - posted on 04/13/2010

My son was born Oct 26, 2009 at 8lbs 15 oz and 22.5 inches long. He is now 18lbs and 31 inches long. He eats 3 jars of babyfood a day, a little rice cereal and 7 oz of formula every 4 hours. My doctor told me he is so very healthy. I agree with the moms that say a baby will stop eating when they are full and also as soon as they start moving around ... crawling, walking, etc... they will lose those baby rolls. :o)

Amy - posted on 04/13/2010

My son will be 6mth on the 26th of this month, he is BF only and weighs 22 lbs and is 27inchs. Listen to your son, not the doc, he's hungry he eats, he's not you'll know. Babies need to eat, to grow

Peita - posted on 04/12/2010

My baby girl is over the 100th percenttile for her weight and length, she was also born on 29th Oct 2009!! The funny thing is she was born 3 weeks early and is now this chubba baby lol!! All of my bubs grew very quickly though!! My doc was concerned for the first 2 months because my little girl was gaining weight very quickly, but then she started to plateau out and even though she weighed 17lbs at 4 months old, he is now happy with her size and the way she is gaining weight, I guess if your boy is gaining weight steadily then all should be ok, my doc has never said I was over feeding my girl, he just thinks she was playing catch up from being induced 3 weeks early lol!!!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/12/2010

Your son's weight sounds fine! I have a son who is now almost three who weighed 20 lb at 5 months. he was simply a big boy, and still is today, tall but thin. Does your baby's height correspond to his weight? Breastfeeding is so wonderful for them, prevents obesity later, too. 1 jar of food and 3 oz ceral is not too much on top of breastfeeding for a hungry boy.

Lori - posted on 04/12/2010

Also, Where are they getting these growth charts from? 1950? I mean Just about every baby I read about, all over the United States, is in the 80-90% or above. I'm sure their are babies all over that hit even and are even under the 50th percentile, it just seems their are alot of babies out there that are above.

Lori - posted on 04/12/2010

I really would not worry about it. I mean the "guidelines" they are going by now a days are just, for the most part unrealistic. I mean I live in Alabama and the state programs we have here, for daycare and such, suggest that a baby is not to start solids until he is 6 months. My older son is ust 16 months older than my five month old and when he was a baby it was recommended to start at 4 months. Regardless, I have fed them the same way as I have with all 3 of my boys. I would say that my youngest is the biggest out of the three, not just in weight but in height as well. He is in the 90% and above for both. He is about 20 lbs and 27-28 inches long. I def use the philosophy of feed on demand. I only feed him baby food at lunch, rice cereal at night sometimes and the rest is formula. Its funny, they go to a state funded daycare who are under these "guidelines" and they told me the same as far as not feeding him until 6 months. He started at 4 months. It wasn't long before they were feeding him babyfood with the other kids too! If I didn't feed him he would be starving and crying all the time for something. Babies come in all shapes and sizes. My 2nd boy was big too and he hit 1 and just stopped eating as much. I feed him when he gets hungry. He went from the 80-90% during the first six months and he is now 22 months and in the 50%. Just follow your intuition.

Tracy - posted on 04/12/2010

Hi Crystal - Don't take what the doctor said to heart! You as his mum will know best.
Rosemarie is soooo hungry. I'm bf and from day one she fed every 2 hours and she still does even though she's on solids! Every meal she has a pudding and sometimes a rusk before bed! I haven't had her weighed for a while but I guess she weighs about the same as your lo. xx

Tiffany - posted on 04/12/2010

I had to cut the cereal out of my son's diet a few months ago because he took less of a bottle however my doc say's that he is fine eating a container a day and 4 bottles. Logan is 6 months old and weighs exactly the same as your son. The other day his father gave him 2 containers because he was starving. I don't really think it is overfeeding unless he weighted 50 lbs at 5 months. they know when to stop and as long as you are not force feeding him (which i dont think any mother would do) i don't see how it could be over feeding.

Stephanie - posted on 04/12/2010

My son was born October 2nd, and i recently went to his 6 month checkup and he only weigh's 15 pounds and 4 ounces, but he is 28.2 inches long. And my doctor said nothing about his weight, because in one month he had only gained 4 ounces, but had grown 1.7 inches. Your his mother, and you know him best. The doctor only see's him maybe a brief 5 minutes, and you he is your baby. So, just keep doing what your doing because your his mother!! :)

Danie - posted on 04/12/2010

ignore the doctor!!!! screw them and their stupid conformist charts, lol!!! all children are different in height weight shape size and everything else!! your baby will stop eating when he's full up! that or your maternal instincts will let you know! if he vomits a whole lot after feeding, then you know you fed him too much! the doc tells me my 4 year old at 36lbs 3 1/2 feet tall, is over weight. and my 3 year old at 28 lbs, 2 3/4 feet tall is under weight, and my 6 month old at 23 lbs 2 1/4 feet long is over weight. It's easy to see why people today are so overly sensitive about their weight issues. they've got people telling them from birth that that what they need to be is this, because what they are isn't right. ugh.

Laura - posted on 04/11/2010

Ignore the doctor - he is an idiot. My boy is 6 monthd, weighs 22 lbs and is 28" long and my doctor was perfectly happy with him! Just go with your instincts...you will know when he is hungry, full and happy.

Summer - posted on 04/11/2010

I would look for another Doctor that will make you feel more comfortable with your child.

Melissa - posted on 04/11/2010

No way! You are not overfeedin you son. My daughter is in the 90% and I asked my doctor if she was eating to much because my mom thought I was feeding her to much and he said no and they like to see a chubby baby. He said they don't worry about weight issues until they are older. It really doesn't sound like you are giving him too much either. My daughter is 6 months and she has her three meals a day with bottles and two bottles for snacks. This is the same I fed my son and he was in the 50% every visit. It just depends on the baby, some are chubbier as infants and that doesn't mean that they will be an obeise child or adult.

Linda - posted on 04/10/2010

My son Deen was born Oct.2 2009 he is now 6 months I just took him for his shots/check-up......His Doctor said "keep up the good work our little linebacker looks great". My son weighs 23lbs even and is 29 3/4 inches long.My other two sons were exactly the same. My boys were never on the charts for hieght or weight, they were always bigger. You CAN NOT overfeed a baby.If a baby is not hungry they will not eat. As long as your not force feeding him,your fine and he is healthy. My kids all slept a lot and I've heard when a baby sleeps good they grow good. I don't know your case but my babies sleep/slept from 8pm to 8am. I don't think you have anything to worry about, just enjoy that chubster.....Maybe I'll see you when they get picked for the NFL. LOL

Megan - posted on 04/10/2010

NO, it's really not possible to overfeed a baby. They eat whatever their stomachs can hold, and sometimes they just have a big growth spurt! My boy had one massive early growth spurt and at his 2 month check-up managed to double his birth weight and reach a whooping 17.8 lbs (he was 8.11 at birth). He's since slowed down, and at 6 months is at 22 lbs. But every baby grows at a different speed. As long as their weight and length are both consistently gaining then there's nothing to be concerned about. He just sounds like a big healthy boy to me. :)

Robyn - posted on 04/10/2010

Dont take any notice. You cannot overfeed a baby. If they were too full they would just throw it up and reject food if they are full. Go with your intincts you know best you are his mum ;)

Jennifer - posted on 04/09/2010

I don't see how a jar of baby food and some rice cereal could be overfeeding. I think he's just naturally chubby. I think as long as you're not force-feeding him it's not a big deal. Just make sure he gets lots of chances to wiggle (on the floor, in your arms, in the tub) and he will probably be fine.

Belinda - posted on 04/08/2010

My son was born Oct. 21, 2009 and he eats cereal or baby food 3 times a day and has formula. He's 26 inches tall and 20 lbs. He was born weighing in at 9 lbs and 10 oz. My doctor says he's just fine, he's a good baby and lets me know when he's full. I wouldn't be too concerned. I bet your son is just fine.

Stephanie - posted on 04/08/2010

Jennifer my son had surgery when he was 3 weeks old. He had pyloric stenosis however i had to pump my bm because he wouldn't lach on anymore. Before surgery we was eating 4 oz of bm then after surgery he was eating 8 oz at 3 weeks old. I was taking med to make more bm and eating tons of oatmeal. Nothing helped.

Jennifer - posted on 04/08/2010

Stephanie I don't understand why you had to stop breastfeeding due to your son eating 6 oz? How did you know how much he was consuming if he was breast fed?