My sister-in-law's kid is bigger than mine!!!?

Question

I saw my sister-in-law with her son today. It's been about a month since I've seen them. Her son, Hunter, is two weeks younger than my son, Aiden. When she took the blanket off of Hunter he was HUGE! He's at least twice the size of Aiden, but he's two weeks YOUNGER. Aiden is 10 weeks old and 10.6 lbs, where as Hunter is 8 weeks old and 14.5 pounds. I know its only 4 pounds, but holy h**l that makes a huge impact on a baby! He's also an inch and a half longer too.

Am I doing something wrong with Aiden? I know there will probably be a lot of answers like "all babies grow up differently" or something along those lines, but I didn't think that the difference would be this dramatic!

Answer 1

It isn't so much about age right now as it is about birth weight.  A baby born at 8-9 pounds or more is going to weigh more at 10 weeks than a baby born at 6 pounds.  There is a three week difference between my son and my friend's daughter.  Even though she is a few weeks older she was much thinner until just recently, and they're 17 months now.  My boy was 8 pounds 5 ounces when he was 5 days old and her girl was 8 pounds at the same time, even though she was a month old.  By the time they were both a year old they were getting closer, but mine was 22 pounds and hers was 18 pounds, even though she was taller.  

Really the difference isn't as dramatic as you think.  Babies will gain weight and grow depending on their birth weight and on their genes.  While my son has been heavier than his older little girl friend, another little boy who is 2 months younger than he is weighed 20 pounds at 6 months and was wearing size 12 month clothes.  His dad is tall and big, so it's genetic for him to be bigger.  

No, you most likely aren't doing anything wrong with him.  You're right that all babies do grow differently.  The only thing that you could potentially be doing wrong is feeding him on a schedule, like every 4 hours, rather than on demand.  But, your son probably is perfectly healthy for him.

Answer 2

My guess is that your baby weighed less and hers more when they were born. Babies grow on their own curve. A baby's weight will double by 4-6 months and triple by 1 year (just an approximation). So if your nephew weighed 10lbs at birth he could be 20lbs by 6 months and 30lbs by a year. If your son weighed 7lbs at birth, he might be about 14lbs by 6 months and 21lbs by 1 year. That's why it just seems like such a big difference.

Answer 3

Babies grow so quickly those first few months so seeing him a month ago can make a big difference. 4 pounds isn't a lot, as you said, but when you saw him a month ago it can seem like a big difference.

My son was born a month before my brother and SIL's baby girl and they are about the same weight, which I think is funny. I wouldn't be too concerned about it as long as your baby is growing fine and the doctor isn't showing concerns.

Answer 4

You have answered your own question in your second paragraph!!  My little girl is 7 months, my friends baby is 4 months.  Already her baby is taller and almost as heavy as mine!

Answer 5

You're baby sounds small... but as long as he is growing at the right rate, there's nothing to worry about.  What were their birth weights?  What are the parent's sizes?  

There are many reasons why your baby might be smaller... who knows... in a few years it might be the other way around.

Answer 6

Oh, please don't feel like you're doing anything wrong.

My twins are like 2 months younger than my niece is and they are GIGANTIC compared to her.

They outgrew her by the time they were 3 months old.

It's true, all babies are different.  At 16 months my perfectly healthy, perfectly beautiful, perfectly PERFECT little nieceling is still wearing a lot of 3-6 month and 6-9 month sizes.

My twins are in 18-24 month sizes at 15 months.

All babies truly are different.  Don't let it get to you.  At least you won't have as sore of a back or need to buy as many outfits as often!

Answer 7

Has your son's physician mentioned anything to you about him being underweight?

If not, I wouldn't be concerned...  

Answer 8

its all genetics. my 18 month old niece and my 10 month old son are almost the same size, he is maybe 1/2 shorter and 2 lbs lighter than her. And she is at an age where her growth is slowing down while he still has a lot of growing to do, he will probably be bigger than her soon!

Answer 9

There is no reason to worry unless your pediatrician has concerns.

Answer 10

Don't compare you son to others, every baby is different. My son is 1 wk older than my BIL's daughter & he is SO much bigger than her, but she's healhty so no worries. Hubby & I are tall & BIL & his wife are very short so i think that has something to do with it too.

Don't worry & stop comparing or you'll drive yourself crazy.

God Bless

Answer 11

There is nothing wrong with your baby. My cousin's daughter is a month older than mine. She is 14 pounds at 9 months and my daughter is 21 pounds at 8 months. It all depends on the child, I wouldn't worry about it, every baby is different.