Baby Fat? - Reno,NV

He is still a baby, and you should never put a baby on a diet! If you are truly concerned you could talk to his Ped at his next appointment.

I don't think you have any reason to be concerned. He's still only 17 months old! My husband was a VERY chunky baby. So much so that he didn't really even start to crawl until he was well over a year--his fat rolls stood in his way! But once he started seriously moving around and walking, he went down to a more "normal" weight. He's now a perfectly healthy man--6'2" and 185 lbs.

Don't worry....he'll grow up more than out in the next year and will most likely lose the baby fat and appear more lean and tall than chunky.

Updated

Don't worry....he'll grow up more than out in the next year and will most likely lose the baby fat and appear more lean and tall than chunky.

Relax! My son is also higher up in the weight (my daughter too). He eats lots of fruits and veggies, and pretty healthy stuff. We don't do candy, and he is very active. Everyone says that he will be a linebacker. He is healthy, and I'm not going to be concerned until I doctor tells me too. I know that pretty soon (he is 2.5), that he will start lengthening even more. At 2, our ped, did suggest the 1-2% milk, and that did slow the growth.

So many kids these days look like mini adults instead of the healthy chubby toddlers (minus the truly fat toddlers). My son looked liked like a real toddler and I have no issue with that.

Don't go by the calculations. According to them, my 2 yr old is at risk as well as she is not a little major chubster. My older ones should also be at risk--yeah right. My one daughter is really thin as is my son and they are not super active like I would prefer. At my d's doc visit, they did not go with the chart and told me they stopped because they only used to to chart that growth was actually occuring, which they could do on regular records.

Don't go by the charts, they can be way off. According to the chart my almost 8 year old son is obese. I have wasted so much time being concerned about his plot on the charts. When I mention this at his check up our Ped laughed because he doesn't even have a roll on his body. There is nothing soft about him, he is solid and healthy. In fact the Dr said she thought he was easily going to be at least 6 ft tall and his weight is constantly trying to keep up with his height growth. Ask your doctor if you are concerned.

My 30 month old son weighs 26. He is a bag of bones. Your son at 28 doesn't sound unreasonable at all. Is he running yet? Once he starts to really get active, he will get lean and it will all equal out.

I don't put too much stock in those charts myself. A chunky baby is so stinkin' cute and many slim babies/kids grow up to have weight problems and many chunkers are lean adults. I just took my chunky monkey to the dr and they said he was in the 65% for weight but he has rolls on his legs a big ole belly and a nice double chin, so go figure! I am with the other mamas, as long as he is eating healthy food, I think you are good to go!!

Just be happy your kiddo eats :) I wouldn't put too much stock in the growth calculators. They are just guidelines. My son is now in the low 5%, he is up from the low 3% and he is 25 months now. It sounds like you son is really healthy. As long as your pediatrician isn't concerned you shouldn't be. Again, these are just numbers. Your son will start to become more active and grow and may actually start to become more picky with his food, this happened to us. Just relax and enjoy your little munchkin.

Hello,

My first was also in upper 90% for weight for as long as I can remember. He is just over 2 and has slimmed down dramatically since he is so active. He still eats like crazy and does not even know what candy is yet so I am happy. I think as long as you are giving him the right food you can do no wrong. BTW my doctor advised 2% instead of whole milk unless they need the extra fat. You may want to bring that up at your next appointment in case that might be an option but I would talk with them about it first but it worked out for us!

As long as he's eating healthy foods, I wouldn't worry too much. I'll bet anything he slims down as he becomes more active.
My son is 15 and he still goes through the same phases.....
he gets a paunch just before a growth spurt. Happens every time.
He grows out a bit and then he grows up. He's already way taller than me.

Be glad your son is such a good eater. I don't give much credence to growth calculators. Your son's pediatrician is the best person to chart your son's growth for him on an individual basis.

Best wishes!

As long as he's eating healthy foods, and you aren't using foods to pacify him, don't worry. He'll become very active as he continues to grow. Build good exercise habits - lots of play time... and he'll be just fine. 28 lbs doesn't sound that large for a 17 mo old. If you are really concerned ask your Ped. Might be able to go to 2% milk. Sounds healthy to me.

Unless there is off the charts obesity for some medical reason happening to a baby, you shouldn't worry about your child's weight until after age 2 and then only if the doctor mentions it or it goes off the charts and stays there. At his age he will eat what he needs and wants. He will eat until full and stop. He's experiencing very quick growth and quick brain development at this age. You don't need to worry about anything!

is he very active... are you taking him on his little bike or having him walk a lot of run around the yard during the day with a ball.... or is he at a daycare type place and inside most of the day... if this is the case.. make sure that they are letting him run around too.. he needs to move around to control his weight... is he eating a lot of fruit... drinking water too... these things will all help.. good luck...

Like many others have suggested, I think it's best to discuss with your pediatrician. The growth charts aren't indicative of much as a "one-time" charting. The doctor's use them as a long-term guide for how your child has been growing. So if you take him in next month for his 18-month checkup and he has suddenly gained a huge amount of weight from his 12-month checkup with little height growth, your doctor might be concerned. But if he is steadily moving along in the same height and weight growth he has always had, that is what the doctor will mainly use the chart for. Good for you on always offering him healthy and fresh food! : )

I agree with the other moms. My kids have always been off the charts for height and weight and my pediatrician isn't worried. If you are feeding him the right kinds of foods and not forcing him to eat he'll be fine. Kids are always a bit fat until they start to walk and then slim down a little but don't loose that baby appearance until 3 or 4. My almost three year old still has that "buddah type belly" but is slimming down every where else. The belly will go soon if he's like his older brother. Again, if you're feeding him a variety of foods, lots of fruits and veggies, not too much juice (they don't need it--it's better to forgo the juice and just give them fruit and water to drink) then he'll be fine! I have read the same thing, unless your pediatrician puts him on a diet you're NOT supposed to put babies on a diet. Good luck!

I wouldn't be too concerned. When my little girl was that age people would tease me and say mean things to me like your little girl will be carrying you soon or I hope you don't end up on the murry show. I have always fed my daughter healthy and now at the age of 2 days shy of turning 4 she is now 34 pounds and 40 inches tall. Your little boy is fine. You and your husband are doing a wonderful job.

I would take him off the whole milk. He does not need it.

Use good fats which are grass fed free range animals. Also watch for soy in all foods. Soy messes up the cell so the body will not let go of the bad fat. Good fats allow the cell wall to do it's job therefore the fats are moving in and out of the cells as used. So cook with coconut oils a bit of olive oil fresh in a dressing is good. Watch out for mayonnaise it is bad fats. Read the label. I use raw milk and lots of raw butter. All outdoors and grass fed.You cannot go wrong with good fats like was used long ago in every culture. He is fine, just learn more about healthy foods and where to get them.
Find more research and good ideas in Nourishing Traditions cookbook by Sally Fallon or look up Weston A. Price Foundation.org for more. Then do not worry about his weight. The growth too fast can be from soy too so just check all labels.

You are the mother it is up to you to see that your son eats properly it you teach him good food habets you will help him live a healthy life perhaps you can disstract him with toys good luck A. nno hills raised 4 and now 7 grandchildren

Hi J.,

PBS aired a documentary from Great Brittian that studied that country's obesity and they found in a few people that there is a chemical in the brain that tells us when we are full. Some people lack that chemical, one woman and her son who were featured had that condition. They never felt full. If you don't know nutrition limits for him to be healthy ask a nutritionist or the doctor what healthy amounts are so you can set him up for healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Good luck,
Wendy

Take him to your pediatrician. If you are concerned that he may have a metabolism problem, your ped should be able to determine this. If you are concerned about his health, your ped should be able to put your mind at ease or suggest different foods.

Just feed the boy. At his age, it is brain-food. He really does need it to develop his brain and the rest of his body. You say you feed him only fresh, healthy food - keep that up for as long as you can (oreos are bound to creep into his life at some point from friends, but YOU don't need to buy them!). He will go through growth spurts all his childhood where he grows wide, then tall, then wide again. Keep doing what you are doing. Feed him healthy food and give him opportunities to be active - kick a ball, go to the playground and climb on the play structure. You are doing fine and so is your son.

If you are really concerned, bring him in to your pediatrician for a checkup - don't look for info online that is totally generic. Go see someone who knows your son and has all his info available to evaluate.

This might ease your mind: my son measured in the high 90th percentile for *everything* (his head size was off the chart too but turns out daddy has a big head (literally not figuratively)) and our ped. was never concerned or mentioned anything to us about concerns for childhood obesity.

If your son is hungry, feed him! Don't withhold food UNLESS your pediatrican tells you you too and I doubt it very much that she'll put a 17 month old on a diet.