I just talked to my MIL and she was asking about Rylee. I told her what was going on with her and how she went to the doctors yesterday. She asked how much she was weighing now so I told her. She weighs 19pounds 2ounces which pits her in the 90% range. She will be 8 months next Friday. The doctor said that me daughter is perfect. My MIL on the other hand told me to watch her carbs!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell what diet she is on? Anyways, if she were standing in front of me, I probably would have slapped her. Is the 90% range too high? My daughter is not fat in any way. All baby's should have some chunk to them. What do you think?


Rylee at the Zoo

By Gammiejoan on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 01:16 pm:

I would trust the doctor's opinion over your mil's. Your little girl is precious!

By Jelygu on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 01:19 pm:

I can't believe she said that!
My 7 mo is 20 lbs and 4 oz, and I don't think he is too fat! Rylee is the perfect size, babies should have a little chunk, I agree.
You can't put a baby on a diet! What is your MIL thinking? Young children like ours need a balanced diet, and shouldn't be restricted from anything! (except junk of course)
You are doing a good job raising your daughter, just ignore her!
Man, sometimes I think this carb diet thing is getting out of hand!

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 01:36 pm:

Trust your Dr. My DS is *much* bigger than his sister, and my grandmother used to say he was going to be fat. She's very overweight, and compensates for that by telling other people they are getting "chunky", or the such. Your MIL may be trying to do the same. DS has thinned out some, but is still much bigger then Maddie. I worried less about my "big" boy than my "twig" DD, who never seems to gain weight!

By Dawnk777 on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 01:57 pm:

My older daughter was a bit of a chunker when she was in her first year. She is almost 15 now and looks just fine. I think she looked just like Rylee when she was about 8 months old. I think Rylee looks healthy and happy!

By Ilovetom on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 02:00 pm:

Maybe you should try her on Weight Watchers. I had good luck there.

Just kidding!!!!!! Your daughter is gorgeous.

By Tklinreston on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 02:01 pm:

She's so adoreable! My ds was 19 lbs at 4 months old (100% plus) -- VERY chubby. As they start to walk and run and generally become more active, they lose the chubbiness (too soon for my taste). He is 4 now and is incredibly lean. Anyhow, what your MIL said is so silly....just laugh about it and enjoy your sweet little girl. .. she looks perfect to me.

By Angellew on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 02:23 pm:

Is you MIL actually my step-mother is disguise??? Cause they sound like the same person!

DO NOT listen to anyone but your doctor and your own mommy instincts... about anything! She's perfect and don't let anyone tell you any different!

By Happynerdmom on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 02:32 pm:

Oh, my!! I can't believe she said that! This is the part where you stop telling your MIL everything. When she asks about her dr. appt., just say, "She weighs X lbs., and the doctor says she's perfect!" BTW, Both of my dk's were huge CHUNKS, off the charts, (actually more like blobs!) until they started walking. Now, at 11 and 14, they are both in the 50th percentile in everything. Don't worry yourself. The dr. will let you know when/if to worry. She's adorable!

By Emily7 on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 02:39 pm:

Rylee is an adorable little girl. She is a baby & does not need to watch her carbs.
My SIL has been so upset that her little girl is big. She 4 years old & went to spend the night with her grandparents & was so upset because she forgot the exercise mat. Her Mom makes a habit of telling her "you really don't need that do you." She was pushed aside when her brother was born.
I know that we have a problem with over weight kids in this country, but if we don't watch it we are going to end up with a country full of children with eating disorders.
I would tell your MIL maybe she shouldn't just watch what she is putting in her mouth. That comments like that will not be tolerated around your daughter. Nip it in the butt before Rylee is old enough to hear & understand what she is saying & ends up with major self-esteem issues.

By Truestori on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 02:43 pm:

I wonder what your mother-in-law would have said since my kids were born at a whooping 10lbs...LOL

Don't take it personal.
Alot of people talk before they think, and most things that come out are absurd like that comment!

Rylee, looks perfect to me. She actually seems petite! I think my kids weighed about 20lbs around this age.

By Kay on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 03:07 pm:

Rylee is built a lot like my youngest dd at that age. My Amy is now almost 14 - cute, slim figure, etc. There's a reason it's called 'baby fat'. I've seen babies that have so many rolls of fat you can barely see to clean the diaper area. Rylee is nowhere near that!

This whole 'carb' thing is a pet peeve for me right now. I just wonder where everyone on that diet is going to be in 10 years (looking back on all the other 'it' diets. )

By Kay on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 03:08 pm:

I forgot to add that Rylee is absolutely adorable!

By Cybermommyx4 on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 03:25 pm:

Rylee is perfect! Ask your mother-in-law how many CARBS there are in a FOOT, and suggest that she might want to keep hers out of HER mouth ;) I know, I know, you can't say that to MIL, but DOESN'T IT MAKE YOU SMILE TO THINK OF IT?

By Janet on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 04:06 pm:

Smile and ignore her. Watch her carbs??? At 8 months??? Sheesh! My 9 yr-old dd came into the world at 10 pounds, 8 oz, and she was L-O-N-G! My other dd (a willowy 14 yr old) was 9 pounds 13 oz. I had big babies that were always in the upper percentiles. You wouldn't know it to see them now. So what? Rylee is perfect!

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 04:58 pm:

Remember one of my favorite responses: That's very interesting. I'll have to think about that. Of course, I'll have to check with the pediatrician.

Since it's your MIL, you could add: I appreciate your caring.

As to what you may think about it, or if, or when, that's up to you. But you will have responded neutrally, politely, and made no promises.

By Cocoabutter on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 05:07 pm:

wow, I agree with Ginny. (I was going to post something different.) Grandma was just doing what Grandmas do- be helpful. If you make a big stink about this, it could create a lot of dissension in your family, which wouldn't be good for your dd or your marriage. If it were your mom, I would say it would be your place to speak with her. If you would like for something to be said to your MIL, have dh do it- it's his responsibility as it is his mom and he needs to protect his family from any possible destructive influences.

By Mommyathome on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 05:42 pm:

Ignore her

By Trina~moderator on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 05:45 pm:

Oh my! To echo all the others, let your MIL's comments go in one ear and out the other. Rylee is just FINE. Your ped. would have told you if she wasn't. Adorable pic, BTW!

By Melanie on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 08:42 pm:

Ditto to everyone else (especially Ginny!)

Oldest ds was in the 95 percentile. (Ds #2 and DD have always been way off the charts, but let me focus on the oldest right now). He is now 8.5. I have to buy him slim fitting pants because he is quite skinny.

No worries. As long as she is growing evenly in all areas, she is perfectly fine. Those charts are simply averages. The entire range represents healthy sizes.

By Bellajoe on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 08:49 pm:

Unbelievable!! Rylee is perfect! She is a total doll !

By Tink on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 09:08 pm:

Rylee is adorable (my oldest dd wants me to adopt her! ) My dks were all in the 90+ percentile and their Pediatrician was pleased because she saw too many underfed and failure to thrive babies.
I agree that you can't say it to your MIL but the carbs in a foot comment is hilarious.
Don't worry at all about your little beauty. You will have plenty of time to worry about more important things.

By Rayanne on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 10:46 pm:

Thanks for the laugh Wendy.
I told my DH when he got home what she said and he just shook his head. He couldn't believe it and told me not to worry about what she thinks and that she has no room to talk anyway.
I just let it go and laughed about it at dinner tonight.
Thank you ladies

By Cheekymama on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 05:04 am:

>>

It was a stupid comment, but not worth getting so upset about. Maybe she didn't even mean to imply that she thought your daughter was too fat, but is just overly-enthusiastic about the Atkins thing and was recommending it because thinks it's a healthier overall lifestyle.

By Andyjoy on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 02:22 am:

Since when is 90th percentile bad? Am I missing something, or aren't babies treated the same way as older children. Don't you compare the height/length percentile with the weight percentile and only worry if the gap between the two is large?

By Lauram on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 09:52 am:

My kids have ALWAYS been in the 70-90% range for height and weight. The only time there is concern is if one of them takes off (ie if they were 70 and 70 for height and weight and then they go back and they are 70 for height and 90 for weight). My youngest son is REALLY big. His head is in the 99th percentile. As he's getting older, he's slimming down. My 7 year old is REALLY skinny now. He exercises a lot and I think that's why. I really think as they get older (toddler and up) you just need to watch what they eat- not lots of sugar/juice and junk food adn make sure they are getting exercise (ie not spending the day in front of the tube). I'm a firm believer in letting kids eat when they are hungry (albeit healthy snacks) and not pushing them to eat when they are not hungry (ie the clear the plate thing). Their bodies grow in spurts and that's when they are hungry! When they aren't growing that much, my experience with my own kids is that they aren't hungry as mcuh. With that said, babies should NEVER be on a diet! I know at one point I had to watch how much formula my kids drank and limit that (you could ask your pediatrician if she's on formula what the top amount per day should be) and then supplement their hunger with solid foods (cheerios, toast, applesauce, bananas, etc...)

BTW- I have boys, but they were both 20 pounds at 6 months! I actually think my youngest (the big one) reached that point at 5 mo. He's 36 pounds right now (he'll be two at the end of the summer). BIG boy!

She's beautiful! Your dr is right. She is perfect! Tell your MIL to take a hike!

By Kate on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 10:20 am:

Most peds use the wrong growth charts. You need to use the 'weight for height' charts to know if your child is too thin or too heavy. If your ped used the weight for age and height for age, that 90th percentile means nothing. It just means she is heavier and/or taller than 90% of eight month olds. That info isn't relevant in deciding if she's too thin or heavy. What matters is how TALL she is in comparison to her weight. If you tell me your daughter's length and weight, I can chart her on a weight for height chart and tell you much more accurately how she falls. On this chart anything between 25 and 75 % is normal, but below 25 is thin and below 5 is underweight. Above 75 is heavy and above 90 is overweight. This all comes from 'The Portable Pediatrician for Parents' by Laura Walther Nathanson, MD.

All that being said, your mother in law was thoughtless and your daughter is adorable. Even if she truly was considered overweight, there isn't a lot you do at this age. You evaluate what she's eating and if it's a lot of juice and snacks, you cut down with your doctor's help. She still needs plenty of breastmilk or formula and fruits and veggies.

By Rayanne on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 11:17 am:

All she eats is baby food and formula. She has about 16 to 20 ounces a day which is what the doctor recomends. I didn't get her hight checked when I was at the doctor. I think that she is around 27 inches maybe.

By Kate on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 11:43 am:

Okay, based on eight months of age, female, 27 inches, and 19 lbs. 2 oz., she falls smack on the 75% for weight for height. Her height also happens to fall on the 75th percentile, which is purely coincidental. Your doctor's assessment of 90th percentile merely meant she was heavier than 90% of all eight month old girls, it did NOT take into account the fact that she is LONGER than 75% of eight month old girls. The 90th percentile ranking he gave her was also based on very SHORT babies, whom would most likely weigh much less than a baby as tall as your daughter. Is this all making sense? I realize your height for her was just a good guess, but you can at least see how that number is needed and how it can dramatically change the percentiles. She sounds just right to me, and she's sooooo cute (as is her bedroom, btw!). I'd be happy to plot her new numbers if you're interested the next time you get both sets.

By Rayanne on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 12:37 pm:

Thank you sooo much Kate.
I will do that next time she goes to the doctor. I think that she goes back in September.

By Kate on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 01:51 pm:

No problem, Rayanne! I get VERY rankled whenever people mention weight in relation to kids...they have NO business making such statements! I have some relative who are big fans of 'endearments' like 'chub chub' and 'chunky monkey' and names of that nature. They mean it KINDLY, but *I* take it badly and with today's obsession on weight and the many people with eating disorders, I find it wrong and dangerous to make comments, however harmlessly intended, about anyone, especially children.

By Emdee on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 02:26 pm:

I would be extremely happy that she eats well and is gaining weight!! My dd is almost 15 months and isn't even 19 pounds yet. My dd's ped would be ecstatic if she was growing like yours!! Your dd is just precious, so I wouldn't worry about comments like that at all. Tell your MIL that it could be worse--she could be in the 3rd percentile for her weight!!

By Momaroze on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 11:20 pm:

She is precious!! My ds just hit the 8month mark and he weighs 18lbs, he has CUTE chunky legs.

Your ds looks perfectly healthy to me. I don't have a clue why your MIL would say something like that. Very adorable Rayanne!

By Danenbellsmom on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 01:59 am:

She looks perfectly healhy to me also. Shes a cutie btw. Just let that crap go in one ear and out the other.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 07:51 am:

Just to add to all the others...

Kids are all so very different. My DS was 20 lbs. at 6 mos., yet DD didn't reach 20 lbs. until 18 mos.. Both were healthy, within normal ranges and growing steadily so our ped. wasn't concerned.

By Kittycat_26 on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 08:24 am:

I hope this doesn't come across as crass.

Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.

Follow your instincts.