article about chubby babies, for the sake of debate.

kimthgrt

https://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/that-cute-chubby-baby-it-might-be-a-problem-that-hes-fat-1228601/

sry, my mac wont let me make a link...

I just thought this is an interesting article. It seems to make a moderate amount of sense, until the end, where it says breastfeeding will reduce chances of childhood obesity. I thought breastfed babies are a little chubbier? Definitely not in a bad way, IMO. And this could be wrong, its jsut what Ive observed. Soooo, do you limit an infants food intake?? whether it be formula or bm?

Not only that, next to putting LO on his/hers hands and knees, how else can you encourage them to "excercise"? Maybe putting them on their hands and knees and getting in front of them, but they dont necessarily understant what exactly you are telling them.  

annndddd...debate! 

ksayles

https://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/that-cute-chubby-baby-it-might-be-a-problem-that-hes-fat-1228601/

Erin5849

I have read that breastfed babies tend to be smaller since then can regulate how much they take out of the boob, whereas formula fed babies cannot do this with a bottle and sometimes may end up overeating.

mavilabride

On the breastfeeding:

In the first 3 months, yes bf babies are typically chubbier than FF babies because they are typically eating more frequently. However, after 3 months their weight gain slows down and FF babies pick up.

I spent a lot of time paying attention to DD's sucking motions when she was bfing.  It carried forward to FF so I personally feel that she isn't being overfed.  I know some people that give their LOs 8oz at 3 months which I think is a ridiculous amount and it makes me question whether they are just using the milk as a way to soothe their infant.  There's also this need to make LO finish a bottle just because there's milk in the bottle.  I don't limit but I do pay attention.  If she shows no interest in finishing a bottle, then I don't force her to.  It is much easier to do when you are nursing.

ksayles

I have heard both that BF babies are smaller and larger. DD obviously proving the larger category.

I think it all boils down to genetics and family eating habits. most of these studies are bs.

mjsweetgirl

ksayles:

I have heard both that BF babies are smaller and larger. DD obviously proving the larger category.

I think it all boils down to genetics and family eating habits. most of these studies are bs.

This exactly!  

Lizard2022

I'm more disturbed by the link for the article on extra small condoms for preteen boys.  Yikes.

Shlei

mjsweetgirl:

ksayles:

I have heard both that BF babies are smaller and larger. DD obviously proving the larger category.

I think it all boils down to genetics and family eating habits. most of these studies are bs.

This exactly!  

I also agree with this statement.  I ate the same amount of food as my family, did the same activities as my brother (same age) and found that I still was bigger and thicker than he was. I have the body that requires a lot of working out (every day) just to keep toned but still thick.

aglenn

I think one of the points they are trying to make in the article is that our culture has that "bigger is better" mindset, so people feel better about their baby being in the 75th percentile for weight than the 25th, even though statistically they are equally close to normal.  One of the things that probably helps with BF is the on-demand thing, as pp suggested.  It is easier to let them eat when hungry and stop when full if the food is "on tap" all the time, rather than eating by the clock or to finish a certain number of oz.

stever

mjsweetgirl:

ksayles:

I have heard both that BF babies are smaller and larger. DD obviously proving the larger category.

I think it all boils down to genetics and family eating habits. most of these studies are bs.

This exactly!  

This indeed. DS is EBF and 95th percentile. Genetics don't play a factor in his size as DH and I are both from pretty thin families. Chances are he'll continue to be a huge baby, will be a big toddler and will grow into being a normal sized kid and adult. I don't think the fact that he's EBF'd has much to do with how big he was, is and will be, but who knows?

kimthgrt

i suppose that does make sense. I think the part that suggests breastfeeding irks me, b/c i wasnt able to do it for very long. 

I do agree, in our generation there is a VERY large amount of people being overweight, and I see an obscene amount of people giving their 2 year olds soda and babies even younger given candy. I just kind of feel like this article is a tad biased. or maybe Im totally reading it wrong, lol

Chrisy-Wyobride

I think feeding is thing is actually a problem for some families.  When the baby cries a lot of people think = hunger.  Also a lot of people just give their babies/toddlers/kids non-stop snacks &/or milk all day long.  There is this desire to appease a kid w/ food instead of dealing w/ other issues (boredom, tired, etc).  Maybe because I have older kids & have been a SAHM for almost 6yrs--but I see it a lot & I live in the skinniest state.  My kids were never bigger by weight (2 of the 3 are very tall though) & they were #1 EFF, #2 EBF & #3 a combo---It made no difference to speak of how they were fed.  But I never force fed them--if they pulled off the boob & turned their head, they were done nursing...same basic things for bottles.  If my DD turned their heads & didn't actively want to eat food, I stopped feeding.  A lot of people force their kids to finish their bottle/jar of food/snack/meal/etc.  My baby is almost 10mo & never eats more than 7oz & usually doesn't finish that much.  I see much younger babies being forced to down 8oz bottles & then spitting up (not reflux).  It makes no sense (I know because my Mom did force feed DD more milk & it was the only time she really ever spit up substantially).  If they were very chubby, yes I would adjust their food intake & there is definitely things you can do to encourage your child to move (exercise).  I love chunky little babies but I am totally against stuffing your child at any age.

inbetween

Dd has been formula fed since late evening of day 2 in her life. lol.

When she doesn't want a bottle she won't drink it...and when she is done, she won't take anymore of what is left.

Dd has been a big baby since about 3 months but she is proportionate (sp?) with her height and weight.

Though, as someone who has struggled with weight for as long as I can remember, I have a HUGE fear of dd being overweight. This is one of my biggest reasons for trying to change my eating habits  before dd is old enough to get them.

I also want to encourage dd to be more active then I was as a child. Not just sending her to do so sports, but playing with her. Making exercise a family event that isn't boring and something to dread.

mollymurphy

ksayles:

I think it all boils down to genetics and family eating habits. most of these studies are bs. 

I totally agree w/the pp.

Granted, I'm a sample size of one, but I was formula fed and my parents made the hole in the bottle nipples larger b/c I had trouble swallowing. Guess what? I was a HUUUUUGE baby. Huge! My best friend is 2 days younger than I am and in our baby pictures, I look like King Kong next to her, no joke. 

After infancy, though, I was an athletic child of normal weight. And as an adult, I've been able to maintain my weight w/o a ton of effort and gained an avg. amount of pg weight and lost it in an avg. amount of time after DS was born.