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Q: Can a baby be too big? I understand that a bigger baby can cause complications for the mother, but is a baby over 8.5 pounds at risk for anything? Do larger babies lead to unhealthy adults and overweight children?
A: If a baby weighs more than 8.5 pounds, the healthcare provider will typically check the baby’s blood sugar, which is sometimes lower than normal. If the blood sugar is low, it may only mean that the baby needs to be fed sooner than usual.
If the mother is diabetic, the low blood sugar could signal a problem. Diabetes in the mother is almost always diagnosed early enough, however, for the patient and her healthcare provider to assess or account for any concerns about the health of the baby.
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