Fat Babies, Cute But Not Healthy

Anyone would love to see a fat baby with chubby cheeks, hands and thighs like torn bread, and a big belly. Fat is indeed one of the references for people to judge whether a baby is cute or not. The fatter and fatter the baby is, the more people will call it cute.

But, do you know, babies with large body weights can be a sign of obesity? If you have entered obesity, it can be ascertained that the baby is not healthy. Recently, the term infant obesity has been hotly debated. Many parents are starting to worry that their children will be obese at a very young age. Fat babies are adorable, Moms. At the age of growth, babies do need a lot of fat to grow properly. However, if your little one is too fat due to excess fat, the impact can be very bad for health.

Quoted from Nursingdegree.net, infant obesity is the basis of poor health conditions in their children and adults in the future. Babies whose weight increases significantly continuously can be threatened with obesity at the age of 3 years. That means, gaining weight in infancy can lead to obesity, not only in childhood, but also in adulthood. Several studies report that eating patterns that are formed early around the age of 3 months can predict the likelihood of obesity in the future. Obesity in childhood is often associated with adverse effects in adulthood, such as high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, early puberty, and diabetes. Continued obesity can also lead to heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Signs of Obesity in Babies and How to Treat it

The pediatrician will help you check your child's body mass index (BMI) to be able to determine whether your child is obese or not. The calculated BMI is juxtaposed with the child's growth table according to age.

If there is a discrepancy and your child is declared at risk for obesity, the pediatrician will also give you direction. Pediatricians will usually direct parents to maintain the child's weight instead of losing it.

By maintaining weight, the little one who continues to grow will have lower BMI points than before and become healthier because he is getting closer to normal weight according to his age.

The way to maintain weight that is recommended by pediatricians is usually in the form of eating healthy foods without overeating and increasing physical activity.

How Can Obesity in Babies Happen?

Quoted from Mayoclinic.org, there are two factors that influence the occurrence of obesity in children, namely genetic and hormonal.

The obesity in infants usually occurs due to eating a lot but not accompanied by sufficient physical activity. Therefore, it is important for parents to be sensitive to the baby's obesity. That way, parents can immediately take action to change their lifestyle to reduce the risk of their little one's weight continuing to increase unnaturally.

How to Prevent Obesity in Babies?

Moms, baby obesity can actually be prevented. There are many ways you can do it even since you are pregnant. Anything? Come on Find out!

1. Normal weight gain during pregnancy

A study shows that excessive weight gain during pregnancy is one of the factors that triggers infant obesity. Make sure you always regularly check with your obstetrician to monitor the weight gain of you and your little one.

2. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has many advantages, one of which teaches babies to eat according to their needs. Giving breast milk without a certain schedule or dose makes your little one learn that when he is full, he must stop eating.

3. Learn the signs your baby is full

Teaching your little one to stop breastfeeding when they are full is not easy. The best way is for you to learn the signs your little one is full. If she is full enough, you can stop breastfeeding. Avoid the little one being full, Moms. It won't teach him the habit of stopping eating when he's full.

4. Avoid giving complementary foods early

A Harvard study found that babies who were given solid food around the age of 4 years had a greater risk of developing obesity at the age of 3 years than other babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the first feeding at 6 months of age.

5. Invite Doing Physical Activity

Generally babies are very happy when they move. But there are babies who are less active and need stimulation to move. Invite your little one for tummy time. Put your little one on the floor and play some music. Moms can also dance so that your little one is interested in moving

Here are some things you should know about baby obesity. Hopefully useful and thanks for reading.