Dear Rhoda:

        Check these two references:

1. *The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding* has a chapter called 'Common Concerns'
which has a section entitled, 'When Baby is Pleasingly Plump'.  It covers
concerns about obesity and gives stories of League mothers whose babies
were born either large or small, who were then quite portly between 4-6
months, but 'thinned' out by a year or 18 months.

2. William and Martha Sears, *300 Questions New Parents Ask* (1991),
Plume Publishers.  See Questions #76 on page 71 and #172 on page 147.
#76 refers to a 'fat' 4-month-old, and #172 to a 'fat' 6-month-old.

I would bet they have some information on this in their book, *The Baby
Book* (1993).

In any case, the two references above point out that it's perfectly
normal for a breastfed baby to be quite chubby by 6 months of age, but
that the growth rate slows down from about 9-18 months of age all of its
own.  This woman should do exactly as she's been doing and give solids
when the BABY INDICATES HE/SHE IS INTERESTED.

I myself had a friend whose first child was 25 lbs. at 6 months (the girl
had triple chins on her double chins!), never had solid food until after
12 months of age, and is now a typically slim 6-year-old!  This woman
then had twins 3 years later, who were also 22 and 25 lbs at 6 months,
and are now 'perfectly normal'.

Good luck with the Pediatricians!
                                ,,^,,
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @(*.*)@ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                 `-'
Janna M. Frelich                             [log in to unmask]

Coordinator, Harvard SPH Breastfeeding Resource Center
LLL Leader Applicant