Will Your Child Be Fat?

Eating well: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity in later childhood and beyond. Not only do compounds in breast milk help regulate body fat and appetite, but breastfed babies take in only as much as they need. For a bottle-fed baby, resist the urge to feed him that last ounce -- whether it's formula or expressed breast milk -- after he's signaled he's full. Nor should you rush solids. It may be best to wait until 6 months, especially if your baby's heavy to start with.