Paediatric advice challenges myths about overfeeding and children’s weight gain

A paediatric specialist warns against overfeeding children based on appearance, emphasising the importance of recognising hunger cues and prioritising healthy growth over visual size in infants and young children.

Pushing children to gain weight simply because they look small or slim can do more harm than good, according to paediatric advice highlighted in an Instagram video by paediatric specialist and health influencer Ardi Santoso. Santoso said one of the most persistent misconceptions among parents is that a chubby child is automatically a healthy child.

That belief can lead some families to overfeed infants and young children, whether by enlarging portions, adding unnecessary high-calorie foods or using bottles to soothe a baby who is not actually hungry. Medical guidance from organisations including Drugs.com, Healthline and Kaiser Permanente says overfeeding can leave babies uncomfortable and may cause frequent spit-up, loose stools, gas and irritability. In some cases, it can also contribute to excess weight gain later in life.

Specialists advise parents to pay attention to hunger and fullness cues rather than relying on appearance. Merck Manual says babies who have had enough often turn away from the breast or bottle and stop sucking, while bottle-fed infants are more likely to be overfed because milk can be consumed more quickly and in larger amounts. Breastfeeding, when possible, may help babies regulate intake more naturally, and parents are generally advised not to use bottles as comfort tools or add cereal without medical advice.

The wider message from child-health experts is that growth should be judged by pattern and development, not by the wish for a child to look plump. Healthy growth depends on age-appropriate feeding, regular monitoring and, when there are concerns, guidance from a qualified clinician rather than pressure from social expectations.