Our baby girl weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20” long at birth. That’s within the normal range of 5.5 – 10 lbs. and very close to the perfectly average 7 lbs. 8 oz (source).
So why was it that when she was born or when people ask how much she weighed at birth that they say things like “WOAH”, “That must have hurt”, or “Oh my”?
It is almost like people ask the weight of the baby, not because they are interested in the good health of the baby but because they want to make judgments on how big the baby was. So Ok, fine, whatever—people are interested in the weight of the babies at birth—but why is it that we have this fascination with it?
Just the other day, a man came up to my baby and said “hey fatty”. I immediately cringed inside. A month or so ago, a woman said, “you are a BIG baby”. The fact is, she is very close to average in size. I get comments like this all the time and I just don’t get it—she is not a big baby.
Sure, she has adorable chubby little cheeks—but in no way does she look unhealthy. And quite honestly, since she lost so much weight after birth and we struggled to get her back to birth weight—I am so happy that she has those chubby little cheeks! Babies are supposed to.
I guess what I’m trying to get at is that we are bombarded with weight standards from the moment we enter this world. And why? Shouldn’t the concern be good health and well-being?
When do people stop making comments about a baby’s weight? Why is it “ok” to use terms with babies that we would otherwise consider bullying? I know that people (or so I hope) do not mean anything negative by these comments—but still, I don’t like it. Maybe this is because of where I come from in my own experience.
I remember quite well being called “fatty” myself and I remember how hurt it made me feel. Maybe this is why it makes my heart ache just a little whenever I hear words like that, in jest or not.
I do understand that I am being overly sensitive on this topic—and it doesn’t bother me to the point of action, I just find it incredibly interesting and somewhat annoying. Just wanted to throw it out there as food for thought.
What do you think about the topic?
I have no idea why people would say shit like that - my daughter was 7.13 oz. That isn't a big baby at all - I had a friend that had a 13 pound baby boy - but you wouldn't know it by now - he's 22 and lean.
ReplyDeletePeople just say stupid stuff, I'd just chalk it up to that.
Our firstborn was 9 lb, 13 oz - never wore a size newborn diaper. Lol I just LOVE a chunky baby! Our son was 9 lb, 7 oz at birth a week early, but he couldn't handle immunizations and would lose down to the 7th percentile (was normaly 97th), so we stopped immunizations for him. We look back at those pics and he was so skinny and unhealthy looking. I'm not saying every skinny or tiny baby is unhealthy (before I offend someone!! lol). I've never had a stranger call my baby fatty! I admit, sometimes I have done that, but only lovingly with admiration for a chunky thigh in INFANT HOOD when there was no repercussion to the child. One of my fb friends posted a pic of her grandbaby this morning in a onesie. She is soooo chubby, and I love it! My smallest baby was 8 lb, 8 oz. All my kids are ages 5 and up now and range anywhere from 25th to 95th percentile. So most chubby babies lean out starting somewhere between 1 to 2 years old. However, I do have a best friend from school who weighed about 300 back then. She still looks that size according to her pics, and her children are preschool and K5 and definitely obese for a child. They are not "chubby" or "big for their age." It is sad. Part of me wants to know why she wouldn't want different for her children than what she had to endure, but the other part of me totally understands not being able to change because *I'm* struggling with it! So far, thankfully, it hasn't affected my children. But I bet it will one day down the road if I don't get a grip! Wow, this was long. :) So my point is, I don't mind someone calling my baby fat or chubby as long as they mean it as a compliment, but they better stop as soon as the child is at an age to understand!!! And 7 lbs, 10 oz is NOT a big baby in this day at all, IMO!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a child in the 95th percentile, then your child is obese too.
DeleteOnly according to the charts, but her former pediatrician and her current doctor both state that she is NOT obese. My son as well. They are tall for their age and also larger boned, so I do not have an obese child. So far, all of them are a normal weight for their body frame and height. Sometimes human beings don't follow standard charts and graphs.
DeleteAccording to BMI, my 5 year old daughter is overweight, but I can see her ribs and hip bones sticking out. The charts are not appropriate for labeling "overweight" or "obese". She has already called herself fat in my hearing. I'm guessing she's been hearing kids call other kids fat. She doesn't need to hear it at the Dr. office as well. She's moving into size 6 pants for the length, but we have to find super skinny things for her as she can probably still fit into the waist of size 3T.I know I put her in a 3T jacket the other day. It was short but it fit around her.
DeleteMy not-quite-3 year old is 95th percentile as well. Few would look at her and call her obese. Before her, I may have thought that 95th percentile must mean obese, but it doesn't. She's also 95th percentile for height. She was 9.5 pounds when she was born.
I agree with Staci on the humans not following charts and graphs. My son who is now 16 and 6'3 was also always in the 95th percentile for weight but he was also in the 95th pecentile for height too and that makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that people make way too many comments regarding weight of babies, but then again from the moment you become pregnant I cant believe the things people comment on and say to you.and the opinions they share lol
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