Breastfeeding causing "overweight" toddler?

[@llli*littlepumpkin]

Hello ladies!

Haven't been on here in a while, but you all have offered such great advice in the past, I had to post on what happened today at my LO's check-up.

My 19 month old weighs 33 lbs and my doctor said that she is now off the charts for weight. She doesn't want her to gain any weight between this appointment and her 2 year appointment. When we were discussing what she eats/drinks, she came to the conclusion that it could be the breastmilk that is causing her to be "overweight."

I told her that my LO eats pretty nutritiously (fruits/veggies, all dairy except cow's milk which she hates, a few meats here and there and plenty of good carbs). I explained that we don't do fast food very often and it's a rare occasion when she may get a cookie/treat.

My doctor then said she was surprised by my LO's weight gain because most women's breastmilk wasn't very nutritious by this time but it must be the nursing that is causing it. My LO nurses at least every 2 hours and still night nurses...

This upset me and I began to wonder if a breastfed baby could really be overweight??? She wants me to cut out some nursing sessions....

What do you mamas think??

thanks!!

[@llli*mommy2lilah]

Good grief!! NO she is NOT overweight. Anymore than my 29 pound 3.5 year old is underweight.

You should NOT cut out nursing sessions.

[@llli*intine]

Most women's breastmilk isn't nutritious by now, but yours is so nutritious that it's making your LO overweight? That sounds completely ridiculous.

[@llli*phi]

Your pediatrician's advice is puzzling indeed. Is your daughter tall? Not that it necessarily matters, but if her height has increased a lot then one would expect her weight to increase a lot too.

I completely agree that, while it doesn't sound like your daughter's weight is truly a problem, if you were concerned about then more exercise is far preferable to fewer calories. If your pediatrician didn't even mention exercise then I would seriously question her understanding of basic nutrition and physiology.

[@llli*mommal]

Most women's breastmilk isn't nutritious by now, but yours is so nutritious that it's making your LO overweight? That sounds completely ridiculous.

and

I wouldn't change anything. Just keep on feeding her healthy foods.

[@llli*littlepumpkin]

She's 33 1/2 inches so she's grown 3 inches since her last visit (3 months ago). She's in the 75th percentile for height.

No, the dr didn't suggest more physical activity which I thought was strange too...

I'm thinking about switching doctors...this isn't the only strange visit I've had there.

I really want to continue breastfeeding and it makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone in that sentiment. I guess I always felt that her body would regulate itself, you know? Like when she's hungry, she eats..when she's full she stops. When she wants to nurse, she nurses...

I guess after the visit, I started questioning everything I do on a daily basis...

[@llli*mommy2lilah]

was she a chunker when you chose your littlepumpkin name? I bet she is cute as all get out.

[@llli*amysmom]

What is it with doctors always assuming its breast feeding??? They too heavy, too skinny, not eating enough solids, eating too many solids, etc. Its almost as if they blame breast feeding simply because it's not as familiar to them, so it must be at fault. Is she meeting her developmental milestones? Physically? Speech? Just as with a young baby, they need to look at the whole picture. She's tall, she's heavy, she's HEALTHY!! She's still just a baby. You're doing great. Keep doing what you're doing and I'll bet with changing nothing, she'll fall within the doctors expectations all on her own.

[@llli*lllmeg]

Yes, sometimes it seems like everything is always breastfeeding's fault. Even things that are not a problem, like wonderful healthy weight gain in a young toddler, is a problem if a breastfed child dares to do it. Never mind that the science is very clear that formula fed babies are more prone to obesity.

Jack Newman has a funny/sad quote about the tendancy to blame breastfeeding.

"15. Breastfeeding is blamed for everything. True! Family, health professionals, neighbours, friends and taxi drivers will blame breastfeeding if the mother is tired, nervous, weepy, sick, has pain in her knees, has difficulty sleeping, is always sleepy, feels dizzy, is anemic, has a relapse of her arthritis (migraines, or any chronic problem) complains of hair loss, change of vision, ringing in the ears or itchy skin. Breastfeeding will be blamed as the cause of marriage problems and the other children acting up. Breastfeeding is to blame when the mortgage rates go up and the economy is faltering. And whenever there is something that does not fit the "picture book" life, the mother will be advised by everyone that it will be better if she stops breastfeeding." (From Breastfeeding Myths by Dr. Jack Newman http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...7&limitstart=2 )

BTW my youngest was also always way higher on his weight percentage than height. He stayed more rounded and chubby cheeked than many of his peers (or his tall skinny brother) for many years. He is about to turn 6 and only really started to lean out and gain height in the last year. Our pediatrician always called him "a picture of great health."

[@llli*saidah]

doctors will blame breastfeeding for everything! my doc said my 16 month old only weighs 20ish pounds because she still nurses too much. told me to cut her down to 2-3 feeds a day! as if less milk is going to help her gain weight? I'd say to take what your pedi says with a grain of salt, but it's probably not even worth that. sounds like your babe is doing wonderfully!