A MUM has been left fuming after health visitors told her that her six-month-old son is “obese” and questioned what she’s feeding him.
Charlie recently moved house, and was told that she needed to have a visit from the health visiting team in her new area to monitor her son Luca’s weight.
However, given that the last time she’d got Luca weighed, she was “shouted at saying that I’ve over-feed my child, he’s obese“, Charlie was understandably hesitant about allowing another visit.
“Luca was weighing big throughout my whole pregnancy,” she explained in a video on her TikTok page.
“He was on the 98th percentile. I had a C-section at 36 weeks and one day because of his growth.
“When he was born at 36 weeks he was 7lb 2oz – he is currently weighing 26lb.”
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But Charlie argued that her son – who is now weighing above the 99.6th percentile – is “still proportional”, and if you look at his DNA, both she and her other half are “not skinny people”.
“But the way these health visitors turn around to you and basically say if you don’t go to the GP your son’s going to get obese… what are you feeding him?” she raged.
“I always want to turn around and say are you a mum? Or do you have children yourself?
“Because if you don’t, quite frankly you’ve got no f**king right coming to my house and telling me that my son’s fat.”
To make the situation even more stressful, Charlie is a first-time mum.
But she insisted she’s “not doing anything wrong”.
“My son is just a chunkier baby,” she sighed.
“They shout at you if your kid’s on the bigger side and they’ll shout at you if your kid’s on the smaller side.”
The health visitor went on to advise Charlie to book an appointment with her GP ahead of her next visit.
But when she called to make the appointment, the GP receptionist said it’s up to her if she wants to speak to a doctor about her son’s size.
Charlie said that she and her husband have no concerns about their “smiley, happy boy”, so wouldn’t be making the appointment.
“Am I just being sensitive?” she then asked.
Average Sizes for Babies at Different Ages
At Birth:
- Weight: 5.5 to 8.8 pounds (2.5 to 4 kg)
- Length: 18 to 22 inches (45 to 55 cm)
One month:
- Weight: 7.5 to 12 pounds (3.4 to 5.4 kg)
- Length: 20 to 23 inches (50 to 58 cm)
Three months:
- Weight: 11 to 15 pounds (5 to 7 kg)
- Length: 23 to 25 inches (58 to 63 cm)
Six months:
- Weight: 13 to 20 pounds (6 to 9 kg)
- Length: 25 to 28 inches (63 to 71 cm)
Nine months:
- Weight: 16 to 24 pounds (7 to 11 kg)
- Length: 27 to 30 inches (69 to 76 cm)
12 months:
- Weight: 17 to 27 pounds (8 to 12 kg)
- Length: 28 to 32 inches (71 to 81 cm)
These values represent averages and individual babies may vary. Always consult with a paediatrician for personalised information regarding a baby’s growth and development.
“Do I actually need to grow up and book him a GP appointment?
“Because you almost second guess yourself and you really doubt yourself as a parent.”
But in the comments section, Charlie quickly found out she needn’t have worried, with the majority of people agreeing with her over the health visitor.
“He is fit and well you are gorgeous, tell them to do one!” one urged.
“Just refuse a health visitor visit,” another added.
“It’s what I did for a peaceful life.”
“The most unhealthiest thing for you and your son is anxiety,” a third said.
“We can all see what a great Mum you are and how happy and healthy Luca is.”
“He looks absolutely gorgeous,” someone else agreed.
“My boy was big and today he is still a bruiser.
“Unless you are worried, just let it go!”
