Health Library

With childhood obesity on the rise, should parents be concerned about the weight of
their babies?

Experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) say parents should ask their child’s
health care provider to keep track of their child’s weight from birth on up. But they
shouldn’t worry about the weight of a child younger than 2 years.

Members of the AAP Nutrition Committee say there is no information to support the
belief that children in this age group who are overweight are more likely to be heavy
later.

Start healthy habits now

Some healthy habits:

• Breastfeed only for the first 6 months, and then with supplemental foods until
  1 year or longer as desired by mother and baby. Babies who are breastfed for
  the first 6 months tend to be leaner. One reason is that breastfed babies only
  eat when they are hungry, not when encouraged by parents.

• Unless instructed by your child’s health care provider, don’t try to encourage
  your baby to finish all of every bottle.

• Offer more fruits and vegetables and less cereal and grains. Continue to offer
  fruits and vegetables as finger foods are introduced.

• Only breastmilk or formula should be given in bottles, unless otherwise
  instructed by your child’s health care provider.

• Juice isn’t necessary and is actually less nutritious than actual fruit. Avoid
  introducing fruit juice or wait until your child is a toddler. If you choose
  to offer juice, wait until 9 months of age and give no more than 6 ounces of
  100% juice daily.

• Avoid fruit punch, soft drinks, and other sweetened drinks.

• As parents, eat well and stay active. Your children will model what they see
  you doing.

Babies stay active naturally as they learn to roll over, move their heads, crawl,
and walk. Children’s growth slows between the ages of 12 and 15 months. Parents should
understand this is normal and it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with their
baby.