Bub's weight is off the charts!!

[Lallas' Mum]

From the time my little "pork chop" (as I seemed to have nicknamed him) entered the world he has been in the 100th percentile. He was 11 lb 4oz (5.01kg) born. I didn't have diabetes, nor did he. Big babies are genetic for me.
He weighed in at 11.4kg two weeks ago and he was 4 1/02mths old at the time. He isn't a real big eater he just keeps gaining a steady weight. I have always been a bit concerned about his weight gains but it wasn't until about 20 minutes ago when the CHN rang me. She said it was eating away at her that he was so high up in the charts. She wanted to consult the head of paediatrics at the local hospital. She wanted to get my permission first so that's why she rang.

I am going to see the paeds at the hospital on Thursday about another concern with bub (he had a seizure last week) so she ask me to bring the matter up and she would call ahead so they could check on his weight gains also.

Should I be concerned?

[madvoice]

I'd be more concerned about the seizures than the weight gain. Get that sorted out before worrying about his weight. You never know, the both could be related. I think its very responsible of the CHN to ring you first before just going ahead and contacting the Paediatrician.

[rynosmum]

Hi Tracey,

Bubs is certainly high on the charts but he was also a big baby to start off ! My little one was breastfed and for 4 weeks put on over 500g per week so I understand how stressful it must be - I remember the Health nurse stressing me out about it as well.

Let her check it out - it's probably more curiosity rather than anything else - but I agree to get the other issue sorted out first.

Good luck !

[Lallas' Mum]

Sorry Madvoice, I should have shed a little more light about the seizures, which are more than just concerning to me. My eldest son Alec suffered from seizures from the time he was 4 1/2mths old. When he was 6 mths old he had a major atonic seizure and stopped breathing. He was diagnosed with having Benign Familial Infantile seizures. It is hereditary. His father suffered similar seizures at around the same age. Now it looks like Zak is also prone to seizures just like his Dad and brother. I didn't mean to sound as if the seizures weren't my greatest concern because they most certainly are.

Zak looks very much in proportion as he is about 80cm long. He just looks like any regular 10 or 11 month old. Trouble is he is only 5 months old. What do other 5 month old babies weigh? My Gp said that his weight was not concerning at this young age, but the CHN I normally see has been keeping a close eye on his weight. It wasn't until I saw a new CHN that the concern seemed to be great.

I guess I'm just being a normal paranoid Mum - always thinking am I doing a good job, are the boys getting what they need in the way of nutritian, education, bonding time, etc,etc.

But I would like to hear what other babies weigh or weighed at 5mths.

[Sarie]

My 6 month old is 8kg. But he was not small born and both his dad and I are quite tall.

[JenNT]

Looking back through my kids baby books my daughter was 7kg and my son was 5kg at 6 months. My daughter was 11kgs at 10 months, length 85cms, son 6kgs at 10 months,80cm. Both ends of the scale :p

[Ky]

I wouldn't be too worried about his weight gain ... if his height and weight are in proportion ie. gaining in both at about the same rate, then there isn't really anything to worry about!

I have one child who was underweight as an infant and one who was off the charts ... both times I was referred to paediatricians and both times I was told that they were both gaining in proportion and they couldn't see why they had been referred!


Here's hoping that you get the same answer! Some kids are just supposed be bigger than average.

[rynosmum]

My son was just shy of 9 kgs at 5 months and 72 cms. Zak does sound in proportion - just a beautiful big cuddly baby.

I used to watch my friends with their little bubba's and my arm would be almost falling off carrying Ry :D but I wouldn't ever worry about them being too big when they're healthy.

[jarrahsmumma]

my friend said "well some babies have to be at either end"
i wouldn't worry, all bubs are different
if they are healthy and happy who cares :)

peace
natalie

[rynosmum]

Hi Tracey,

How did you go with the Dr's appointment ?

[madvoice]

Sorry Madvoice, I should have shed a little more light about the seizures, which are more than just concerning to me. My eldest son Alec suffered from seizures from the time he was 4 1/2mths old. When he was 6 mths old he had a major atonic seizure and stopped breathing. He was diagnosed with having Benign Familial Infantile seizures. It is hereditary. His father suffered similar seizures at around the same age. Now it looks like Zak is also prone to seizures just like his Dad and brother. I didn't mean to sound as if the seizures weren't my greatest concern because they most certainly are.

That's ok. I didn't really know. I'm sorry if I was a bit abrupt.


Zak looks very much in proportion as he is about 80cm long. He just looks like any regular 10 or 11 month old. Trouble is he is only 5 months old. What do other 5 month old babies weigh? My Gp said that his weight was not concerning at this young age, but the CHN I normally see has been keeping a close eye on his weight. It wasn't until I saw a new CHN that the concern seemed to be great.

I guess I'm just being a normal paranoid Mum - always thinking am I doing a good job, are the boys getting what they need in the way of nutritian, education, bonding time, etc,etc.

But I would like to hear what other babies weigh or weighed at 5mths.

My daughter Raleigh is now just over 9kg at just over 61/2 months. Many people seem to think that she's 9-10 months old. She's about 73cm long. She's only JUST on the weight limit for charting at the moment and in the 90th percentile for height. You must just have a rather happy, healthy growing boy :)

[jaydensmum]

Wow, was he born naturally? :eek: With him being over the top of the charts i wouldnt worry too much. If he is steadily putting on weight and he is happy then i wouldnt worry. You have to remember that he started off being a big baby so putting on weight steadily is what he is supposed to do. If you are concerned then just talk to your doctor or nurse about it.

jaydensmum. :)

[Lallas' Mum]

Hi there Ladies,

Sorry it's taken a while to update you all.
We saw the paediatrician - Edward, and he seems to think all is okay with Zak's weight. The trouble was he was actually curving upward too quickly on his chart, but he hasn't put on any weight in the last three weeks - he hasn't lost any either. So it seems that he is going to level out. I have been given the thumbs up in regards to the amounts I am feeding him, which is such a relief!!!

They have taken blood tests in regards to his seizures, but we have decided to wait and see if his seizures worsen ie become more frequent or more severe, before we continue with any EEGs or catscans. At present he has about one mild absence seizure a day which is basically just a stare that you can't distract him from. I can live with that but not anything more than that.

Zak is developing fine and he can even sit unassisted for about 5-10 minutes though he gets a bit wobbley at times.

So it seems my grey cloud has lifted for now. Thank you all for your support and concern.