Babys First Year Blog
Babyhood: When Chubby Can Be Embraced and Nibbled
I birth little babies that quickly turn to chunky babies. Currently Vivi’s thigh is as wide as it is long and she has the most delicious rolls on her legs, arms, ankles and wrists. And her neck? What neck? It’s the only body part that’s missing because her nommable cheeks pretty much meet her chest right below her chin.
Did you know there are some people who worry that their babies are getting too fat?
Sure, there are probably some babies who are too fat, but there’s a good chance that a caregiver is to blame. My dad loves to tell me about all the babies in Europe that drank Coke out of bottles while he was stationed in Germany. If your doctor says your baby is A-OK? Your baby is A-OK. Before you know it your chubby baby will be headed off to first grade with knobby knees, sharp elbows and nary a squishable pad of baby fat visible. (*SOB*)
I’m just as surprised as everyone else that Vivi is as long as she is, Cody and I aren’t exactly topping any height charts. But it grates on my nerves a little when well meaning people ask “10 months?” Nope. Try three. They then gasp and say “BUT SHE’S SO BIG!” *sigh* She’s a baby, what does it matter? Most babies double in size only a few months after birth, it is survival after all. EAT EAT EAT, STORE STORE STORE! And in case most people don’t realize it, babies aren’t running marathons or attending baby Zumba classes. One can only burn so many calories growing at an exponential pace and flailing about wildly.
Babies come in different sizes, just like apples, pumpkins, cars, dogs, pies and grown ups. Love them and feed them the right things at the right time and they’ll grow up to be just who they’re meant to be.
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9 Comments
[...] The doctor said it was nothing to worry about, she’s proportionate. She’s long and chubby with a nicely sized noggin (Addie had a big noggin and chub for days too.) Turns out all those people who assumed she was much older were kind of right…baby got…big. [...]
My Baby is Off the Height and Weight Charts. | Babys First Year Blog commented on Sep 12 11 at 11:08 amCris commented on Aug 16 11 at 2:12 pmI can relate to the big baby comments, I got them all the time with my Add. They thought Miss Add was going to be 11 lbs at birth… I wondered at that point if she was going to toddle out of my womb!
Anyhoo, she turned out to be 9 lbs 6 oz and has continued to be at the top of her weight/height/head size age group ever since. Even today having just turned 4 she could pass as a 5 or young 6 year old.
Kate commented on Aug 16 11 at 2:18 pmI don’t think people are really trying to be rude. I think it’s genuine surprise. People always think my son is a toddler because of his size, but he’s only 6 months. Generally they get it when they see his dad (6’3″, 220+ lbs).
Sara commented on Aug 16 11 at 5:10 pmI agree! Everyone always comments on my son’s size. He doubled his birth weight of 7 lbs 11 oz when he was 10 weeks old! He is healthy and happy, just a whopping 16 lbs now (at 2.5 months). And I LOVE the fat rolls! When he was born I couldn’t wait until he plumped up! I think most people mean well. They just always have to have something to say about other people’s babies.
Priya commented on Aug 16 11 at 7:30 pmI love a chunky baby, especially when they have 6 sections on their arms! I told my MIL this and said I thought my husband and I would have chunks because we were both chubby babies. And would you believe she was offended? Because in her mind (she has major image issues) I just called her son fat. Babies are supposed to be chubby, weirdo!
And Vivi is adorable, love her hair!
Valeria Franco commented on Aug 16 11 at 8:17 pmi just love this post my baby is 14 weeks old an is already wearing 6-9 clothes and i’m loving it!!
Michelle commented on Aug 16 11 at 10:08 pmOur pedi walked into the 4 mo exam saying “there’s no such thing as a fat baby”. At 19+ lbs, my EBF little guy wears 9 or 12 mo clothes. And yes, we get comments.
Whitney McQuarry commented on Aug 17 11 at 10:39 amWhen people tell me I have a BIG boy I laugh and just tell them he is “healthy”. Personally I love his chubby little legs and arms. I like seeing chubby babies. I think they are absolutely the cutest. He is 20lbs 25 inches and 7 months old. Our pediatrician says he’s perfect even if he is at the top of the charts :)
Kerry commented on Aug 17 11 at 11:26 amLove this! My first, Tuck, was a bird when he was born, and now at 8 months he’s a chunk-a-roo. Our Ped said he’s perfectly healthy…so we just keep on keepin on, and stick to what we’re already doing. I guess it’s not the blind leading the blind, after-all <3
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