What Does My Baby's Growth Chart Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2015

Question:
Hi Doctor,

My baby is 1 year old and she is 16 kgs!
Her birth weight was 2.8kgs (DOB 20th May 2014)
At the same time she is also quite tall. (around 97th Percentile)

Wanted to give you two information.
1) I was also heavily built when I was a kid and
2) My baby consumes breast milk for around 7-8 times in a day.(apart from 4 times solid) , She has not taken any formula ever.

I wanted to know
1) Is there something to worry about or is this overweight harmful for the baby?

2) We have done her TSH/T3/T4 Tests at the time of her birth and everything seems to be normal and within range. Moreover none of us have Thyroid in our family. So not sure if we need to for another TSH test..? Please advice

My pediatrician is asking me stop breast milk asap and consult an endocrinologist.

I wrote to a pediatrician who replied “The weight needs to be taken at 3 monthly intervals and plotted on a growth chart. If the weight plotting moves in the same trajectory as expected, there is nothing to worry. But if it is steeper than expected, you would need to discuss about it with your pediatrician.”

Attaching here with her growth chart compared to the standard/recommended growth chart.

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
could be familial but recheck thyroid levels

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing.
I have seen the attached reports.
Two things indicate that it could be familial
1. Breastfeeding without formula, and family history
2. Growth chart is not very much skewe. More or less smooth.
Now coming to your questions

1. I don't think that you need to worry much. Many breastfed babies gain excess weight in the first year of life but it would start stabilising after one year as breastfeeding is cut down.

2. Even if there is no thyroid problem in the family, it is better to recheck thyroid levels once again. Although chances of being abnormal is very slim.

Decrease breastfeeding frequency to once or twice a day.
No need to stop completely.
You can stop after 6 more months.
Ensure you give atleast twoto three servings EACH of vegetables and two to three servings of fruits everyday.
Give homemade food what you eat in softer form rather than relying on baby foods like cerelac after one year.

Mother should cut down fat and calories intake. You need to drink plenty of liquids and water and milk.

Encourage your baby in play activities like water bath and walking with support. Use toys books but avoid gadgets and TV exposure.
Wishing your child good health.

Regards
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Arun (3 hours later)

Thank you for your quick reply.

I have one more question. My pediatrician mentioned that as she is overweight, there is no need to give her Vit D3, Iron and Zincovit drops.

I do not personally understand if this is the correct approach. Just because her weight is high, does not mean she will not need D3 for her bones or iron for her growth and development.

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Arun (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
after one year not required

Detailed Answer:
Vitamins and d3 and iron supplements are not required after one year especially if your baby is a full term normal birth weight baby.
Only preterm babies need those for upto 2 years.
Fruits and vegetables and routine home food should be enough.
Ensure sun exposure atleast 15 minutes everyday in the morning.
Regards
Dr Arun

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar