Do you think that the use of formula instead of regular baby/table food is the cause of obesity?
I have a 6 and a half month old boy who is 20 pounds and 28 inches long. I have been feeding him about 32 ounces of formula and 1 serving of cereal and a serving of fruit and a serving of vegetables each day. He is big, but not out of porportion. He is in the 75th percentile in both height and weight. I have been talking to many people about cutting the formula and adding more table food and regular baby food and cereal. They are advising me on this due to his size and fear of childhood obesity. There is a lot of fat and calories in formula, do they need that much, or should I change my feeding schedule? I appreciate your help and information. Opinions are great!
My son was 28" and 18lbs 2oz at his 6 month check up. Also at the larger end of the scale
A proportionate child weighing around 20 lbs needs between 700-1200 calories a day.
32 ounces of formula at 20 calories per ounce is only 640 calories a day! add his cereal, fruit and vegetable servings and he is right smack in the middle of the recommended calorie range.
The following is an excerpt from "Baby 411" about avoiding childhood obesity!
"1- Keep your child physically active.
2- Make restaurant food a once a month, not once a week, treat.
3- Offer appropriate serving sizes. Start with two tablespoons per serving.
4- Banish the "clean plate club."
5- Make juice a low-priority item.
6- Keep the four C’s out of your pantry: cola, chips, cookies, and candy.
7- Be a good role model, your child is watching what you are eating.
8- Not TV while food is being served."
*(notice no mention of rationing infant formula!! lol)
In my opinion, your son sounds like he is doing perfectly fine.