14 October 1995

To those who can help,

I have come accross rapid gain in totally breastfed babies a number of
times. The first was seven years ago when my daughter weighed 9.2 kilo and
was 69 cm long at 8 1/2 months. I was not able to find sources in the
literature available to me then that would back up my understanding that
there was not a danger that my breastfed baby's plump state would lead to
life long obesity. This was the view strongly put forth by our local baby
care clinic. She at that time was still only breastfed. She started solids
shortly after. She is today a very slim seven year old as are all her
5 brothers and sisters.

Are there today recent literature references that back this up. What are
the theories and evidence today as to why? I understand that there are some
nutritional articles about 10 years old that deal with this. I have not
seen them yet.

I have become interested in this question again as I received a concern
call from a woman whose 6 month old son weighs 11 kilo and is 70 cm long.
She totally breastfeeds him and gives no supplements or food. I would like
to mention that she is a very thin small boned woman, 5' @40 kilos, and her
husband is 6'5" solidly built, not heavy in the slightest way. All the men
in his family are taller than 6'. The grandfather is 6'6".

Thank you for your response.

Devorah Schesch-Wernick
Area Professional Liason for LLL-Israel