Comments on: An Open Letter to Well-Meaning Friends, Family & Strangers

By: StorkWatcher

StorkWatcher — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:28:27 +0000

He sure doesn’t look tiny in the photos. The one thing I always notice first on LittleBrother would be his eyes. Such cute and wise-looking eyes he has!

And whenever I ask people what their kids are doing at a certain point, I like to simply relish in the mom’s excitement at how perfect their child is and say – yes, it’s the best when he/she starts to do that…. Or even sometimes mention if mine was doing that similar thing later, to remind them oh so subtly that each child is certainly on his own schedule!

By: Milk Mama

Milk Mama — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:07:14 +0000

I’m sorry I couldn’t relate as far as baby’s weight goes. One time we went in for a doctor’s well baby appointment and the doctor started talking about cows of all things. He said some milk they make into butter and cream (I’ve got that kind of milk apparently) and other milk they make into skim milk products. There’s nothing to worry about about LittleBrother. He is obviously growing well as we can see by his height. He might be thinner, but like you said, it’s spread over quite a long baby boy! Be encouraged that you are doing the right thing!!! He is healthy and on target. He’s perfect!

Have a great weekend, too!!!

By: Milk Mama

Milk Mama — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:28:57 +0000

Eek! Did I call him tiny? I’m not sure lol. But I know how you feel in a way. I’m sick of people calling Anna big or huge. I answered question on my blog. You’ll find the answer helpful thanks to a friend of mine who is an LC who replied to your question.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:44:13 +0000

Firemom – Hi there! I stumbled on your blog from the Mommyology blog. I read the question you had posted to her and her response – which was quite good. I did want to add one thing though…

I am a board certified lactation consultant and what you are describing – the perceived decline in growth in a breasted baby is COMPLETELY normal for an exclusively breastfed baby. The growth charts we use are based on formula fed babies only. Breastfed babies seem to have a “dip” between 4-6 months. This is usually the time pediatricians give their supplement/ start solids speech. You can check with the La Leche League or probably even google search for an exclusively breastfed baby growth chart to take to your ped to show the difference. It is huge! If you can’t find it, jump over to my blog or email me and I will try to get one to you. I will be out of town till Sunday, but I could get it to you then.

Littlebrother is adorable and doesn’t look small at all to me – he looks perfect!!! I have a petite 3 month old as well and yes, my milk is all she needs…contrary to what most people think. Who cares what they think!

Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight. Good luck at his appointment!

Leah

By: Sky

Sky — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:24:12 +0000

Well said. I hear how small our little Pea is all the time, and your right, instead of telling me how tiny she is in her nine months…I wish they would tell me how great she is growing!

By: M

Thu, 22 May 2008 18:41:25 +0000

I’m sorry people are getting to you. People always told me Signal was huge. Yeah, no kidding he’s huge. But it’s not like I’m out there doing something special to make him gigantic. He’s now 17 months, 30 pounds, 34 inches tall and wears a 7.5 shoe. Such is life. That’s just HIM. And LittleBrother is completely and totally the perfect size to be himself.

And, he’s wearing a super cute Goodmama with matching tee to boot. I mean, how could you not love that!

P.S. I hope you get the Dandelion GM off Spots. That colour combo rocks, it’s just out of my price range!

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:54:00 +0000

Ah! That’s exactly why I avoid commenting on anything baby/child related that I don’t KNOW! I have no clue about size/age/development – so I say nothing. I know beautiful/happy/active/well mannered etc – so I give compliments. I also know got beat with the ugly stick/crabby/frenetic/TERROR inducing behavior – so I polietly smile and say NOTHING.

I’m just good like that.

By: cagey

cagey — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:52:05 +0000

When my son began crawling, his weight totally and utterly leveled off. That is when I got the “oh, he is so SMALL!!” comments. Now, with my baby girl, I get the “oh, she is so BIG!!” comments, even though she is tracking about the same weight as her brother did at this age. However, she is a GIRL and therefore, must need an eating disorder NOW. To fit into that thong by junior high school, I guess. *Sigh. *

It is a sad commentary on our society how obsessed folks are about size and weight beginning at such early ages.

By: gwendomama

gwendomama — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:27:10 +0000

and ps – go ahead, punch me. i can take it!

and btw…he is SO SUPER CUTE and i hope that CUTE is acceptable.

By: gwendomama

gwendomama — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:25:45 +0000

i think it’s kind of a funny argument to pick.
but maybe that’s my twisted deformed personality.

we had a little boy with a growth disorder (mysteriously undiagnosed) and HE? HE was TINY. he was the size of a 3 month old infant when he was 13 months old.
then he died.
but my POINT *(AND I DO HAVE ONE)* is that we CALLED him TinyBoy. as an affectionate term. he had nicknames just like any other kid. you think people didn’t wonder what the hell we were smoking when we told them his actual age?? of course they did.
i am just saying…you don’t know the intention behind those comments. many of them, any way. perhaps the stupid ones by inlaws or cousins who don’t know what else to say…but really? tiny? seems so benign in the scheme of life.