My man was forced to be sedentary in utero (lol, just not enough room to party), so he was born in the 70% for weight. The moment he was born he held up his head and turned it to meet his family. He rolled over at two weeks and was one of those rare babies who loved tummy time. Everything physical was/is exciting and fun.
Little Bear has a fantastic appetite. Nursing was a breeze from day one and my supply came quickly and easily. We nursed his first year and he introduced food to himself at 4.5 months. We were sitting by a fruit bowl and he pulled out a banana and ate each delicious bite like he had discovered the forbidden fruit.
Little Bear still loves meal times; yet, for the last 15 months we have struggled to stay on the birth chart. This of course brings on all kinds of anxieties for a new mom. Ironically, Little Bear always looked the same size as other babies in his play groups. Come to find out, many of his friends were also struggling to stay on the chart. Little Bear has also always worn his age appropriate size. He wore 3-6 month clothing when he was 3-6 months old, and so on, yet parents seem to norm being a size bigger than your little ones age....
In a world where chubby baby = healthy baby, skinny babies can make a new mom nervous. In our 17 months, here is what I have learned:
- Some babies are skinny and that's healthy for them. As long as there is a steady growth and nutrition levels are normal (i.e. Iron, etc) it is likely that baby is healthy.
- There is a nursing vs formula growth chart and the nursing chart shows slightly slower weight gains than the formula chart.
- The growth chart has been revised several times to include new weight and data statistics, however, we are also in the era where childhood obesity is on the rise and indicators and nutrition habits can start as early as infancy.
- Skinny babies should always work towards weight gain, but not stress over it. The weight gain goal is not because he or she is too small, but to create a weight cushion if he or she ever gets sick which will result in additional weight loss.
- Skinny baby does not mean tiny adult. The only trend proven is that skinny baby tends to mean healthy adult.
- Not all babies experience their major growth spurts at the same time as other babies. Some are late bloomers and as a result will fall behind on the chart only to catch up in toddler or school age years.
Chubby babies are adorable! Who doesn't love a rolly, juicy, baby thigh.... but a Skinny baby is also adorable. The active, mini toddler-like build, is just as lovable.
