16-Pound Baby Is Nothing to Be Proud Of (VIDEO)

on July 12, 2011 at 10:41 AM

16-pound baby Last week a woman in Texas gave birth to a baby the size of an average 6-month-old. On Friday Janet Johnson delivered a bouncing baby boy, who weighed in at 16 pounds, 1 ounce. That's double the size of an average newborn baby. Oh, and get this, he was delivered a week early.

They knew it was going to be a big baby (they thought 12 to 13 pounds), but they weren't prepared for just how big little JaMichael Brown would be. His father, Michael Brown, says they're calling him "Moose." Cute, but ... not really.

My first thought was ouch!, though mercifully in this case the baby was delivered via c-section. But beyond that the whole thing is just heartbreaking. While I'm sure they're basking in their record-breaking glory now, they're missing out on an entire chapter of this boy's life -- and one of the most beautiful ones there is.

At 16 pounds, there will be no tiny little fingers and toes, or precious newborn clothing. He may be an infant by age, but there's nothing about him that looks like an infant or will feel the same as holding a tiny baby in your arms. I just can't imagine starting with a 16-pounder.

Not to mention the health implications for both mother and child. According to reports, both parents are large people and she had gestational diabetes. As Dr. Ian Holzman explained to ABC, "A baby gets this large usually because a mother has poorly controlled diabetes and the baby is getting extra glucose calories during the pregnancy."

The whole thing really makes you wonder about the quality of care this woman was receiving. Why wasn't her diabetes better controlled, and why were the doctors' estimates so far off as to just how big this baby was?

Fortunately, so far JaMichael has only suffered minor problems with blood sugar and is expected to go home soon, but who knows what the future holds. According to the American Diabetes Association, large babies are at higher risk for obesity and diabetes later in life. Hopefully, they'll focus on providing a healthy lifestyle to ensure JaMichael gets all the help he needs after such an unhealthy start.

Can you imagine delivering a 16-pound baby?

Image via YouTube

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: c-sections, delivery, is it normal

Comments (140)|
Likes (9)

Comments (140)

dirtiekittie

on Jul 12, 2011 at 10:52 AM

the blogger asks "what kind of care was she receiving?" well, i'm sure whatever was suited to her medical insurance / medicare needs. however, a dr can give you advice all day long, but if you don't listen... well that's on you. i can very easily see how the dr could/would have told the mom-to-be about her GD and how to eat properly. does that mean that she did? i'm pretty sure if she had, it wouldn't have resulted in a 16 pound newborn.

i have to say though - don't reduce them down to "missing out on the infant years" because they had a larger baby. i'm sure they love the little chubby toes and fingers as much as parents of a smaller newborn and are just as enthralled. one/your experience does not define them all.

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sweetcherry_59

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:07 AM

wow...just wow. Their experience with their son will be just as special and even you can't downplay that.

1bluemonkey

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:17 AM

I'm not appreciating the mom-bashing that's been happening about this (it's all over the news websites, locally). I'm taking issue with the way this article shakes a metaphorical finger at the mom about her "missing out" on tiny newborn clothes and whatnot. It's her fourth child, by the way. She hasn't missed out.

Mymys_Mommy

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:23 AM

I really do not like the idea that they are missing out on anything. The baby is their little miracle. He may not be teeny tiny, but as long as he's healthy and they are all happy, then not having the average newborn fingers and toes really don't matter. Maybe they don't care about having those tiny toes. Maybe they will cherish things like those cute chubby cheeks. My child was so tiny when she was born that the most notable part of her was her cute chubby cheeks and big bright eyes. This is just their cute big bundle of joy.

Nonmember comment from cjustice

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:30 AM

As a member of the Brown family, I appreciate your kind & encouraging comments. This author was completely out of line for her comments. The mother & child are doing much better.

RhondaVeggie

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:41 AM

My son was fairly big, not record breaking by any stretch but over nine pounds and very obviously the biggest kid in the nursery. He started in 3-6 month clothes and stayed in those for maybe a week before moving up. Never did I feel that I missed out on the cute tiny stage because to me he was cute and tiny.

I'm sure there are concerns about his future health but they can cross that bridge when they come to it. Right now I'm sure they're just enjoying their not-so-tiny bundle of joy.

Kiki1212

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:46 AM

He looks adorable enough to me! I just want to squeeze those cute cheeks!

hallieballie

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:52 AM

Yeah the missing out thing is just ridiculous... A preemie mom could say that moms who deliver to term miss out on the super tiny baby and getting to wear preemie clothes and "getting" to finally hold the baby after weeks. The size of a baby doesn't make them any less special.

kelli0585

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Yeah. . . don't be proud of your child. He should be stuck in the corner somewhere, with a dunce cap that says "DIABETES RISK."

Way to be supportive, Cafemom.

While I'm sure they're basking in their record-breaking glory now, they're missing out on an entire chapter of this boy's life -- and one of the most beautiful ones there is."

Seriously? Do you know how absolutely STUPID this sounds? The most beautiful chapter is being able to buy a size NB from the Dwell rack at Target? What about the actual birth?

How about the fact that they probably realize that the baby may or may not have issues when he's older, but for right now, they can be proud (yes, proud) of the fact that they have him?

I'm pretty sure you aren't giving them any enlightening advice.

I swear. . . . . . . . .people kill me.

Marveyb.

on Jul 12, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Complications during pregnancy and delivery are heartbreaking for a mother. It's not fair to judge her experience with gestational diabetes. It can happen to anyone whether they are "large people" or not. Thank goodness she and the baby are doing well.