A Baby Doesn’t Have to Be Fat to Be Healthy
If you have an active baby, you may notice a slowing down of weight gain. That’s because your baby is using more calories for his constant activity. The fact that your baby may not be gaining as much weight as before doesn’t mean that he is not healthy. A fat baby is not necessarily a healthy baby. At this age, babies should be developing muscle tissue, not fat.
Worrying about what your baby eats or does not eat only makes both of you nervous. Don’t expect your baby to clean his plate or to eat just one more mouthful. Trust him to be the best judge of how much to eat. If, over a period of a few days he gets a good variety of foods, his nutritional intake will be adequate.
As your baby moves around to explore his world, he will discover a new independence. He may be eager to try out this new independence by insisting on feeding himself. Or he may be a little scared by his new abilities and may cling to you at mealtimes. He may even refuse to hold his cup or spoon and demand to be fed.
Whether your baby is a clinger or a self-feeder, be calm and patient. It will pay off in fewer feeding problems both now and later.
Your baby still should be drinking breast milk or 24 ounces of iron-fortified formula each day.
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