My Kid Is Fat

1. You think a�fat�child is a cute child.

We all have to admit, babies with a little more “meat” on their bones is kinda cute, but too much is not healthy. When your baby cannot roll or crawl because of these little “cute” rolls, then you may have a problem. There is an�exemption, however for those who inherited the �fat” gene (scientific name: FTO), this is simply something the parents cannot help and the baby is quite healthy, despite their extra size.

2. You give too much bottle time.

Always follow the recommended dosage for formula and try to�keep a good routine on feeding everyday. If your child wants more, then see a doctor. Of course, the experts always recommend�breastfeeding for as long as possible because it has a lower risk of childhood obesity.

3. You give too much sweets.

Not only are sweets bad for babies’ teeth and digestion, they can always become addictive. Try to avoid offering your baby sugary sweets for as long as possible or opt for the healthy snacks instead, like cucumber sticks or a banana.

4. You allow your kids to stay up late.

When a child does not have enough sleep he looses that crucial time to develop, which they get during nap time “� and chances are he will start a bad eating habit.

Recommended Sleeping Patterns

• Ages 1-3 years old: recommended 12-14 hours
• Ages 4-6 years old: recommended 10-12 hours
• Ages 7-12 years old: recommended 10-11 hours
• Ages 13-18 years old: Has the standard adult sleeping hours of 8-9 hours

5. You don’t track your child’s growth.

Children grow at their own pace but it is recommended to stick to a growth charts, especially for children�aged zero to five. A�signal of possible obesity later in life is if a child weighs 85 percent more than other children his age, without a change in height.

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Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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