And, of course, logical me knows that this is total BS and I need to just let it go and know in my heart that my baby is very healthy and we're doing all the right things for her as best we can. Right?
No.
It slips into my brain. That little voice of doubt. Of course I'm aware she's thin. People comment on it all. the. time. I guess in today's America of acceptable obesity standards a skinny baby is something to worry about. Let me be clear, I think super chunky babies are freaking adorable. But I also think MY baby is pretty much the most adorable baby who ever sprung forth from a womb. It's hard for me not to compare her with other babies her age and wonder why she isn't over 20 lbs. It's a bit of a struggle not to pull out her brother's baby book and say, "Gulp, R was already 22lbs at one..." and not freak out a little wondering if I'm forgetting to feed her enough, or if my milk (oh yes, we're STILL nursing and I'm fine with that) is like diet root beer, or if she has some sort of growth problem, a faulty thyroid, freaky metabolism, whatever. Why can't we just be happy!? She's a little peanut of perfection and I'm damn proud of her!! But why of why are we comparing babies these days on these archaic piece of shit FORMULA standards?! And why does it bug me and make me worry?
Once again, I'm seeing these "standards" as being nothing but a means to put people into little groups and if you don't fit into the right peg, you are faulty. We need to reevaluate how we look at things. It's not like babies can be judged like Yorkies at an AKC Show. And even Yorkies shouldn't be judged!
Anyway, fortunately our pediatrician has common sense and, well, is not just looking at dots on graphs. She wasn't worried, but thanks a lot nurses for ruining my day.
5 comments:
Just tell those nurses to f-off! Little Isla has two teeny tiny cousins to hang with her! Thing 4 is only 12 pounds at 4 months...Thing 1 was 12 pounds at 1 months to give perspective... the doc showed me the curve though, and Thing 4 is on the exact track as Thing 3... I think weight is somewhat genetic. So, don't give it a second thought. I don't know any girl that would complain of being skinny! She'll love it one day when she can eat anything she wants and maintain her cute bod. Love Her! Hang in there, and do you best to shake it off!
Pretty sure they should just hang a sign in the pediatrician's office that says "Please re-enter the office if you are leaving and don't feel guilty about something. Please see the receptionist to book another appointment so we can help you to second-guess your parenting even further."
Big Hugs to the Runyans - even the skinny ones. ;)
NOT ONE of my three was 20 lbs at a year--granted, they're short too, but my almost 10 year old daughter is about 58 lbs dripping wet...not what seems to be the standard at the elemntary school these days. They've all been between the 5-15th percentile since they were born, and they're just small people--somebody has to be, right?:) I do occasionally get comments from people about "maybe I'm not feeding them enough meat," but I swiftly reply that they certainly get enough protein from the tofu and beans they love, and that usually shuts them right up:) Embrace that wee one--she seems like an active babe, and the fact that you're still nursing is awesome--nothing like mama's milk to keep her healthy and right where she's supposed to be...
Thanks everyone for the sweet replies! Even though I *know* she's healthy and happy and eats well, etc., just having the same old "wow, she's tiny" comments and then the nurses who are supposed to know what they are talking about question you, it just wears me down... totally preys on my insecurities. Three cheers for the tiny but strong! :)
Notice when I asked the nurses: "Where do these numbers and curves come from? Is that a standard deviation or two?" None had any clue. Like no clue. Like never had thought of it.
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