Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

I know everyone worries usually about low birth weight... but I notice that DH and his brothers were all "fat" babies, DH is the only one who eventually lost the weight, the other 2 are still heavy to this day and one is obese.

I'm not going to diet obviously, but I just would like the baby to be a healthy weight - not too big, not too small.

Unfortunately, food wise, I'm SOOOO limited these days. Every other thing sets off my heartburn - even stuff you wouldn't think would. So I eat based on heartburn factor rather than fat content, etc. Even cereal like Cherios, which I've loved since becoming PG, now gives me heartburn. Tums and Maalox are basically worthless. It's beyond uncomfortable and hurts my throat which feels like it's closing up. Very frustrating when you are used to eating healthy.

Message edited 2/6/2008 8:44:15 PM.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

See, I don't know the science behind it, but I'm doubtful that what you eat while you're pregnant affects how much weight be baby gains. I mean, the baby grows at his/her own rate, you know? You can gain more & more weight, but I don't know if that means the baby will too.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

There is a correlation between children with high birth weights and adult obesity and diabetes. I just read about this recently and this information applies directly to my own immediate family.

All of my mothers children were over 8 pounds at birth. I was 9 pounds 8 ounces myself. 3 out of the four of us kids were at one point morbidly obese as adults on the brink of diabetes and two of us ended up having weight loss surgery. This is not an option I would want for my children in the future. Knowing this could be a hereditary problem, I plan on doing my best to be as healthy as I can. I would like my children to have a healthier life for themselves. Just my own thoughts.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

I am going to say eat for your heartburn. I had terrible heartburn and I too had a tough time eating healthy. I tried to eat as much fruit as I could because I had no appetite for veggies and they bothered me when I did eat them.

My DS was over 9 lbs, but I don't think he is a fat baby - his weight is pretty well distributed, and he is tall. My sister's kids were both over 8 pounds and now at ages 9 and 12, they are at healthy weights for their ages. I guess what I am trying to say is just because you might not have the healthiest diet, it doesn't mean your baby will be fat.

Message edited 2/6/2008 8:57:46 PM.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

I believe a good portion of childhood obesity is due to a combo of genetics and poor diet. The genetics aspect might lead to a baby being born heavier....

My gut instinct is that there is nothing you can eat / avoid during pregnancy that will affect your baby's weight.

One tip though:
I've read that the baby will prefer the taste of foods that we eat during the third trimester.... so if you are able to eat veggies / fruits and lean protein then, hopefully, it might help your child gain a preference for healthy eating.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

I am more concerned about the birth of a big baby, than her growing to be obese.
I enjoy eatting healthy and being active(the majority of the time) and hope that our habits she will abopt, which will ultimately determine whether she will have a weight problem.

ETA: I was 8lb 6oz as a baby, but now the smallest in my family.

BF can also decrease the risk of obesity.

Message edited 2/6/2008 9:06:24 PM.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

I think a slightly heavier baby IS healthier

It's fully developed, and has a bit of padding that it can live off of as they adjust to BF'ing and eating in general....

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

From what the doctors have told me about the birth weight of your baby is the average of you and DH at birth. For Instance. I was 6 and change and DH was 8 and change. We had a 7 pound baby. Right now I am 33.5 weeks and the baby is approx. 5.5pounds and will possibly gain 2.5 more pounds when I deliver her. All estimates here. But again it's the average of the parents. I've noticed this with my friends too. What you eat doesn't really affect the baby and it's weight. It's all genetics.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

my daughter was 9lbs 13 oz when she was born. i dont think she was a fat baby she was a chubby baby and up to one year she was in teh 75 to 95% for weight but after she hit one and was active she thinned out and now in the 50% and doing fine. i was 7lbs 5 oz and dh was 6lbs 8oz so not sure where the big baby came from. the current baby is measuring 4lbs 10 oz but i dont think it will be nearly as big as olivia was . im lucky if the baby is even 8lbs when its born. ive gained 24 lbs with this pregnancy and 55 with olivia so the weight on my body is diffferent too. i like a baby with some meat its easier to hold the baby.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

Message edited 5/22/2010 9:20:02 AM.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

No I think a big baby is stronger, I don;t think there is any link to birth weight and your adult weight. I was the smallest baby in my family and I am the biggest now. I don'[t mean height.

Don't worry and just hope the baby is healthy

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

my moms family tend to have big babys. my one cousin was almost11 lbs and he is now 5'7 and maybe 160lbs. I was almost 9lbs and pre pregnacy i was about 118. My dd was 10lbs and is still big but not fat. My dh is hevay guy but was normal birth weight 6-7lbs. I dont think they always have to do with each other

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

My DS was 9lbs 5oz at birth and he was a little chubby the first few months, but he slimmed out A LOT. Now he's so slender that he needs to wear a belt to keep his pants up! He's tall and thin. I would just try to eat a healthy diet.

eta: When my DS started dropping percentiles on the weight charts, my ped said that the birth weight of the baby is more of an indication of how well the mother took care of herself during pregnancy than an indicator of future size.

Message edited 2/7/2008 11:30:41 AM.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

Alot of it is genetics. My first baby was 8 pounds 15 ounces, and I ate pretty well. My friends first was around 10 pounds 14 ounces, and she didn't gain excess weight.

I personally would rather have too big a baby than too small. Small babies tend to have more problems breathing and sucking at first.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

I think it is all genetics. You also can't control what they will be when they grow up, now in the womb.

Me-8 lbs 2 oz Now-i'm the heaviest-thunder thighs and big boobs
Brother-8 pds 6 oz Chicken legs and skinny as a rail
Sister-9 lbs 3 oz Even skinnier-makes me sick

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by nbc188

See, I don't know the science behind it, but I'm doubtful that what you eat while you're pregnant affects how much weight be baby gains. I mean, the baby grows at his/her own rate, you know? You can gain more & more weight, but I don't know if that means the baby will too.

You are correct - at least according to my doctor. After I had my 9lb 14oz baby - I asked the doctor if I ate too much during pregnancy.....she said that what I ate had nothing to do with how big he was.

I am small too - 5ft 1in and am normally about 115lbs.

I loved that he was big though - gave me something to squeeze when I was kissing him!

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

The last time I went in for an exam, a week ago, my OB actually said wow this is going to be a big baby. Part of me is like that's great but another part wondered if that makes the baby unhealthy being too big already.

Re: Anyone concerned about having too fat a baby?

there is no such thing as a too fat baby! Some babies are bigger than others, it does not mean your baby is unhealthy if they are born at a higher birth weight than others.

Also, babies are completely instinctive, they eat because their brain is telling them they are hungry, so don't worry about it.