You and your partner, and the rest of your family members are extremely happy to see you holding a chubby baby in your arms after the nine-months’ long emotional journey. But your doctor points out that the rolly-polly tummy is the sign of “Baby fat”, which may not be very healthy for your sweet little one later on.
However, as per the doctor and this engaging article, there are several ways to take care of an overweight baby and ensure that she doesn’t gain anymore.
Follow These Simple Steps
Breastfeed Your Newborn
Being a new mom, breastfeeding your newborn is one of the most cherished moments of your life. Breast milk is, after all, filled with essential nutrients to fulfill your little one with her nutritional requirements. Through breastfeeding, there is very little chance of overfeeding the baby. However, if your baby is latching on your breasts for 10 to 15 mins longer, that means, your baby is only sucking for comfort. She isn’t taking milk really. That won’t do much harm to her.
Shouldn’t Feed Her at Every Cry
You know that your baby is going to cry for several reasons – she may be hungry or tired or bored or soiled or uncomfortable or may just want you to take her in your arms. So, try to hold her, cuddle her, play with her or talk to her in her language or choose a calmer environment to soothe her. But, try not to feed her, the minute you see her fussy. That will be creating unhealthy associations with feeding, which would later be difficult to undo.
Shouldn’t Overfeed
Being a mother, it is your duty to observe, when your little one is saying “That’s enough”. She might finish latching on to your breasts or finish the bottle filled with milk on her own. Well! That signals at not feeding her anymore. Notice her hunger cues.
Once Your Baby Is Ready For Solid Food
You can give her anything nutritious – like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and fish and meat, before she becomes choosy about her food. Even baby cereals can be healthy. But, an overdose of it might not be that healthy.
It’s Good To Start Family Meals Early
When you notice that your baby is able to sit on the highchair, allow her to sit on the dining table to eat with the rest of the family members. Those children who eat meals with their parents and the rest of the family are not likely to be overweight. Moreover, eating with family helps build relations with the baby.
Encourage Your Baby To Move
Do some “tummy time” and make the floor safe enough for her to crawl around. However, once your baby starts walking, take her out for walks.
What Makes Babies Overweight?
Gaining too much weight before pregnancy and during pregnancy, maternal diabetes, and age – increases the risk of fetal macrosomia. At birth, while the average weight of a full-term baby boy is 7 pounds 6 ounces, the average birth weight of a baby girl is 7 pounds 2 ounces. Heavier than the average weight is unhealthy.
Following the above-mentioned steps, after-birth of your newborn and consulting the doctor on a regular basis, is surely going to help.
Also, visit Cordlife India to know all about pregnancy, baby care, and most importantly baby’s cord blood banking.