6 ways to help keep your baby at a healthy weight

Everyone loves a chubby baby. There’s something about a roly-poly belly that is adorable in a baby. Until recently, most children lost their baby fat once they got old enough to be active outside.

But we live differently now. There's lots of sitting, screen time, and not as much time spent running around. That means kids aren't burning off that fat when they get older. Instead, baby fat turns into child fat, which turns into adult fat. It’s smart to be mindful of your baby’s weight now, before it turns into a problem.

Here are simple things you can do to keep your baby healthy and set him or her up for good habits.

Breastfeed

If you can breastfeed, it's a great way to get your baby started. Breast milk is the only food that's perfect for your baby’s needs. It’s hard to overfeed while breastfeeding. Even if your baby stays there for a long time, after 10 to 15 minutes they are mostly just sucking for comfort and not getting milk.

Don’t respond to every cry with a feed

Babies cry for lots of reasons. Sometimes it’s hunger, but sometimes they cry for other reasons. If you just fed your baby and she's fussy, try a few other things before letting her feed again. Try changing her diaper, holding and soothing her, or talking and playing. This is a good habit to start early on. If your baby gets fed every time he fusses, he may start to think he needs feeding when he's bored, tired or upset. That habit can be hard to undo.

Don’t overfeed

Of course you want your baby to finish her bottle. But if she stops eating, respect that. If your doctor has said that your baby is underweight and needs to eat more, that’s different. Ask your doctor what you should do if that's the case. But if your baby is healthy, when he says he’s done, he’s done. Let him learn to listen to his hunger cues.

Give healthy solid food

Once your baby is ready, give fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and lean meats. Babies will try anything. Use this time before they become picky to build healthy habits.

Start family meals early

As soon as your baby can sit in a high chair, bring her to the table to eat with you. Children who eat meals with their parents are less likely to be overweight. Family dinners also help build strong relationships.  It’s a great habit to start early.

Get your baby moving

Exercise can start early. Get your baby on the floor for "tummy time" and encourage her to move. Get down on the floor with her. Make safe places for her to crawl and learn to walk and run. Take your baby out for walks. Make sure he walks too, once he is able to.  Make active play a normal part of every day. This helps babies stay at a healthy weight, and makes it more likely  they will stay active as children, teens and adults. These healthy habits can help your children for the rest of their life.