Babies with a roundish appearance look adorable. Besides, these so-called “fat babies” are generally considered healthier than lean and thin babies. However, though the fat gain in babies reflects healthy growth and development, excess fat is not desirable. So how much fat gain in babies is considered excessive? Knowing this is vital as not all babies who look bulky are overweight or obese. Rather, it is normal for most babies to be slightly heavy and plump. Read on to learn about excess fat in babies, when heavier babies are considered healthy and when they are not, and how parents can prevent their babies from gaining excessive weight.
Are “Fat Babies” Healthy?
According to Richard I. Shader, MD, “most adequately nourished newborns have fat rolls on their legs and arms and noticeably short to absent necks (1).” At birth, about 15 percent of the baby’s weight is fat, which is higher than many mammals. Therefore, babies naturally tend to have a roundish appearance. Most babies who appear plump are completely healthy, and their bulkiness may not necessarily indicate an underlying problem, overweight, or obesity. During the entire first year, most babies gain weight and become heavier; however, some may appear fat and some may not, depending on their height.
Functions of baby fat
About 95% of baby fat is subcutaneous white fat or subcutaneous white adipose tissue, while the remaining 5% is brown fat or brown adipose tissue. Body fat, especially brown fat, is necessary for babies to support several body functions, such as the regulation of body temperature through insulation. Baby fat also works as an energy reserve facilitating the baby’s rapid brain growth and development (2).
Why Are Some Babies Heavier Than Others?
The birth weight and subsequent weight gain in babies can depend on several factors (3). Some of the other factors that can influence a baby’s birth weight and weight gain are fetal chromosomal abnormalities and multiple births. The intertwining of multiple factors could result in a specific growth trend, causing some babies to become heavier than others.
What Are The Health Risks Of Excess Weight In Babies?
Several studies note that excess and rapid weight gain during the first two years of life is strongly correlated with overweight and obesity in later life (13)(14). Babies constantly gain weight through infancy and toddlerhood. However, weight gain at a rate faster than normal is what usually indicates that the baby is becoming overweight or obese. Babies with excess weight may find it difficult to balance their neck and maintain posture. They are also likely to experience developmental delays due to a likely delay in attaining developmental milestones, such as crawling and walking (15). Most risks of excess weight gain can be mitigated through regular monitoring of the baby’s weight. If you feel your baby is gaining too much weight, do not hesitate to talk to a pediatrician.
How To Know If The Baby’s Weight Is A Cause For Concern?
The average birth weight of a full-term, healthy baby can be between 5.5lb (2.5kg) and 10lb (4.5kg) (16). The birth weight of most babies doubles by the fourth or sixth month and triples by the 12th month (17). Throughout this time span, a pediatrician will periodically plot your baby’s weight, height, and head size on a standard growth chart to monitor their growth. A standard growth chart is an assessment tool that compares a baby’s head size, weight-for-length, length-for-age, and weight-for-age against the standard ranges for babies of the same gender and age (18). If a baby’s weight-for-length is greater than the 98th percentile, they are considered large or heavy (19) (20). Many babies lose weight by the time they become toddlers. However, if baby fat persists or increases, your doctor will monitor the baby more closely and suggest strategies to regulate weight gain. Note: Use the World Health Organization’s (WHO) growth charts for monitoring the growth rate of babies under two years of age (18).
How To Keep A Baby At A Healthy Weight?
In most cases, baby fat isn’t a concern, yet keeping your infant’s weight within a healthy range is good for optimal long-term health. Below are some tips that may help keep your baby’s weight on track (21) (22).
