How to Care for an Overweight Baby

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Avoid using feeding to meet any of your baby's needs except hunger. Only feed your baby when he is hungry. If you feed your baby when she is sleepy, bored or unhappy, she will become accustomed to eating for the wrong reasons. Whenever she begins to cry, don't automatically assume that she is hungry. Try hugging or playing with her. She may also be trying to tell you that she is sleepy and ready for her nap.

Talk with your doctor about making dietary adjustments. If you baby weighs too much, your doctor may recommend switching to a lower calorie formula.

Use water. This can be appropriate for older babies. If your baby is comforted by sucking, giving him a bottle of water will satisfy this need without extra calories.

Avoid giving your baby solids too early. A new baby's digestive system is not capable of handling solids too early. Introducing solid foods before it is appropriate can lead to excessive weigh gain.

Examine your baby's diet. If your baby is eating solids regularly and is still eating the same amount of formula or breast milk as before, this may responsible for the excessive weight gain. Talk with you doctor about cutting back on solid foods. Remember that it isn't recommended for a baby to begin with solid foods until closer to six months of age.

Encourage your baby to be active. Move his legs when you change his diaper. Let him have supervised playtime on his tummy.


Tips & Warnings

Before doing anything about your baby's weight, be sure to check with your doctor. Babies do not have much muscle, and it is normal for them to be rounded.

A child who is overweight through the age of four is more likely to be overweight as an adult

Do not add cereals to your baby's bottle. She will eat too much that way.

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