Am I Overfeeding Him?

A fellow mom of a big boy...I can tell you when my son now 17 months was that young I didn't feed him that much...I would think the jar food good for lunch and dinner but maybe for breakfast just mix him a bowl of baby cereal and a little fruit in it...that's what I did.....

my babies were all big..although all in the nine pound range. And both my girls and my son ate a lot. mine never moved up to 8 oz bottles a few times a day either. they stayed at the six ounce bottles. It sounds to me like you are doing just fine. every baby is different. They all grow differently. my girls are now four and five and they are both about 38 lbs. They no longer eat me out of house and home the way they seemed to as babies. They turn into pretty picky eaters eventually. My son though at three is 43 lbs and the ped says it is fine because it is not fat but pure muscle. He loves protien. I always started them on food a little earlier than each stage said they should be at because they always seemed like they needed more as babies. And as much as they grow that first year. The second year is huge too and your little guy is just getting his body ready for growing. If he starts coming in too high at his well checks and your ped seems concerned..then i would discuss it with them. Good luck

I was told that you can't overfeed a baby, they only eat what they need. He is in a transition phase anyway, where in a couple of months he won't be on bottles anyway. As for his weight, soon he will be running so much that it will even itself out. My son was so active after he learn to walk that he only gained 15 pounds between age 1 & 4. He loves to run, jump, & dance. Introduce yours to "The Wiggles" if you haven't already. They are lots of fun & very active. It sounds like you're doing fine.

Everything that I've ever heard and read says that you cannot overfeed a baby. They won't eat it if they aren't hungry. My son hardly eats anything (he's 19 months and weighs 24 lbs.)...I would be thrilled if he ate the way your son does! Good Luck!

I had a big baby, too- 9 lbs 11 oz. I don't remember exactly how big she was at 8 1/2 months, but 22 pounds sounds about right! She was a healthy eater, too, and I think that was about how much she was eating at that time, too. Remember that the most important thing for him is to make sure he gets enough formula in, and as long as he is doing that, you are okay. If he isn't getting enough formula in, then decrease the amount of baby food a little. Don't push him to eat, let him decide when he is full. The amount he eats will vary at times as he is grows, and may even vary feeding to feeding. Also, don't worry too much about him being a big child. My daughter has really thinned out since she started walking- no longer a chub! I just give her healthy foods, stay away from the sweets to help her develop good eating habits, dilute her juice, and limit her juice intake. Good luck!

Hello C.. I wouldn't worry about him over eating, he could be going through a growth spirt. And as a mother of big babies, I think they are cutier with all the rolls. However, my sister's youngest two are so skinny (they are healthy and eat) and I think it has to do with their water consumption. Her 16 month old only drinks water and she drinks it alot and people recommend drinking alot of water when trying to loose weight. My only suggestion (if you are worried about his size) is to give him water to drink with his meals and during the day. After all, it is healthy and a good habit to start early. I didn't give my 4 y/o water b/c she preferred juice, this time we are all water without all the juice. Best of Luck!

hello C.! i wouldnt worry to much about overfeeding him. i know the doctors may say he's over wieght but dont worry he will work it off when he starts walkin. if your really worried about it you can just do half of the jar and he should be ok. if you feel that he is still hungry, then you can give him kix, cheerios, the little puffs or something along those lines. but like i said i wouldnt be to worried, he is a baby. i know my daughter eats alot and her doctor keeps telling us she is over wieght, but now she's getting thiner now that she is starting to walk. but yeah everything should be ok!!!

I have a big guy too!! He is 7 months old, 23lbs. and weighed 10.5 at birth! SO...he's eating what your guy is and I just asked the pediatrician about his diet last week. They told me lower 30's (oz) in milk was more then enough and to feed him solids 3 times a day. If he's eating more milk then that,(mine was upper 30's to low 40's) you could give more solids instead!
It sounds like you're right on track!! Have fun building those biceps!

I think your son will let you know when he is full. My daughter stops eating when she doesn't want anymore. She will push my hand away or push the sippy cup away or whatever. I think every kid is different and some eat (and require) more food than others especially since he was so big at birth. My daughter was 9.5 when she was born, but had failure to thrive so she didn't eat lot. She is now 14 months old and weighs 18 lbs. and eats like she is never going to get fed again! The child is seriously a human garbage disposal! LOL. So I would say follow your sons lead and if he seems hungry than let him eat it. Also I think it is good how you are feeding him because his first birthday isn't far off and he won't be taking formula anymore and will be on solids mostly. His weight will also likely drop off a little when he stops formula and he starts walking. Good Luck!

C., my daughter is 9 months old, she has 10-15 oz of formula a day; breakfast, lunch & dinner, consisting of a variety of fruits, vegetables, potatoes or cereals. She also has 2 snacks during the day of yogurt or a fruit. She weighs 21 pounds 3 oz. & she's 29 inches tall. When she was born she was 5 pounds 6oz. & 19 inches long. She's in the 90th% on the growth chart. Sound normal? Sure, now consider that she has Down syndrom... Every child is different. Only you know your baby, you know when he's full or still hungry. Keep doing what you're doing, which is obviously what he needs, & ask about it during his next dr.s visit, 9 month check up, right?
Don't worry & good liuck ~ M.

I wouldn't worry about it either. He won't eat more than he wants or needs. Maybe you should start trying stage 3 foods. They may fill him up more. Or the toddler foods have mashed potatoes you could try. I started my daughter (she's 12 mos.) eating early. she's my 3rd child and I don't usually go by the book, just by what I feel is right. I like to try things and if I decide she's not ready I'll back off for a month or 2 then try again. It's up to you tho.

S.