In the United States, many doctors refuse to deliver a baby weighing more than 9 and a half pounds through a vaginal birth. Some midwives report delivering perfectly healthy 10-pound babies, naturally – it can be done.

But there was little question or debate that Ani, of Jakarta, Indonesia, would need a cesarean section to deliver her 19.2-pound, 24.4 inch, baby boy. The child, as yet unnamed, is the largest baby to be born in the country and the third heaviest in the world.

The largest baby ever born was delivered in Canada in 1879 and weighed 23 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 30 inches, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He died 11 hours after birth, however. The largest baby to survive infancy was born in Italy in 1955, weighing 22 pounds, 8 ounces.

Gestational Diabetes to Blame

Reports say the baby grew so large because of the mother’s gestational diabetes. Ani was rushed to the hospital in the ninth month due to complications of the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes, if left unchecked, may result in macrosomia (excessively high birthweight, above the 90^th percentile), neonatal hypoglycemia, jaundice and, in rare instances, stillbirth.

A Difficult Delivery

A gynecologist involved in Ani’s son’s delivery said the c-section birth was a difficult process. Removing the baby without damaging the mother’s uterus was a challenge since his legs were so large. In spite of this, Ani’s baby was born healthy — and extremely hungry. He had minor breathing problems at first and received oxygen, but recovered quickly. Doctors reported that he wanted to eat constantly, and his cries were much louder than the smaller babies beside him in the nursery.

Some Perspective on his Size

My daughter was born (at 41 weeks and 3 days gestation!) weighing only 6 lbs. 4 oz. Today, she tips the scales (and those birth charts some doctors like to bandy about) at a whopping 17 lbs., putting her in the 5^th percentile for weight… and smaller than Ani’s newborn son! The newborn, measuring 24.4 inches long, is practically toddler-sized.

His measurements put him in size 12-month clothes already, so he skipped four clothing sizes (five if you count the hard-to-find “newborn” size). If he continues growing at the rate of most infants, he’ll be wearing 3T before he’s a year old. In all likelihood, however, his growth will level out and, while he may remain large, will drop into the 95^th percentile or less for his age within a few months.

In the meantime, Ani and her family, which includes three other children all born naturally in midwife-assisted births, simply has more of him to love.

Munire Recalls “Newport Rubbed Black” Cribs and Matching Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Newport Rubbed Black 4-in-1 Cribs and Matching Furniture

Units: About 3,000 Cribs and 6,000 Matching Furniture Pieces

Manufacturer: Munire Furniture Inc, of Piscataway, N.J.

Hazard: The red paint which is underneath the black finish paint on some of the cribs and matching furniture exceeds federal lead limits. If ingested by young children lead can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: Munire has received one report of a child ingesting the paint. The child was diagnosed with lead poisoning.

Description: The recalled cribs and furniture are made of wood and have a rubbed black finish. Only the “Newport Rubbed Black” cribs and matching furniture manufactured in Indonesia between April 2006 and November 2008 are included in this recall. The model number, date, and country of manufacture are printed on the label attached to the side panel of the crib and the date of manufacture is on the back panel of the furniture. Models listed below are included in the recall:

Sold at: Specialty furniture stores nationwide from April 2006 through November 2008 for about $600 for the crib and the matching furniture pieces were sold between $700 and $1,000. Additional accessories were sold for about $170.

Manufactured in: Indonesia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the products and contact Munire Furniture to receive a replacement coupon which will entitle consumers to exchange the products for another product free of charge.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Munire Furniture toll-free at (866) 586-9639 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.munirefurniture.com

Doll Clothing Sets Recalled by Manhattan Group Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Groovy Fashions™ Sassy Jammies™ Doll Clothing Sets

Units: About 9,200

Manufacturer: Manhattan Group, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: Surface paints on the pajama pants contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled doll clothing set features a two-piece pajama set, eye mask and slippers. The pajama top is pink satin and the pants are dark brown with multiple-colored flowers printed on them.

Sold at: Mail order, Internet and specialty gift stores nationwide from January 2008 through October 2008 for about $12.

Manufactured in: Indonesia

Remedy: Consumers should take the product away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund or store credit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Manhattan Group at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.manhattantoy.com

Children’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by R&D International Due to Strangulation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Young Colors Children?s Hooded Jackets

Units: About 1,500

Importer: R&D International Inc., of Salida, Colo.

Hazard: The jackets have drawstrings through the hood and at the waist. Children can get entangled in the drawstrings that can catch on playground equipment, fences or tree branches. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstring in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. From 1985 through June 2008, CPSC received reports of 27 deaths and 70 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children?s clothing drawstrings.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The cotton knit and woven hooded jackets have a drawstring through the hood and waist. They were sold in sizes 12 months through size 10 in a variety of solid colors and prints. ?Young Colors? is sewn into the jacket tag located at the neck.

Sold at: Specialty children?s stores nationwide from April 2004 through September 2007 for about $45.

Manufactured in: Peru and Indonesia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the jacket to eliminate the safety hazard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact R&D International Inc. collect at (719) 539-3812 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm?s Web site www.youngcolors.com

Munire Furniture Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Majestic Curved Top and Flat Top Cribs, Essex Cribs, Brighton/Sussex Cribs and Captiva Cribs

Units: About 24,000

Importer: Munire Furniture Inc., of Piscataway, N.J.

Hazard: The cribs fail to meet the federal safety standards for cribs. The four support brackets on the mattress support spring are too long. The brackets prevent the spring from lowering to the full 26 inch minimum height in its lowest position, allowing children inside to crawl over the railing, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The cribs are wooden. The recalled cribs include: Majestic Curved Top cribs with model number 9500; Majestic Flat Top cribs with model number 9000; Essex cribs with model number 7100; Brighton/Sussex cribs with model number 9100 and Captiva cribs with model number 5100. Only cribs with manufacture dates between November 1, 2005 and November 1, 2007 are included in the recall. The crib model number is printed on the white label on the bottom inside of the right side rail. The crib manufacture date is printed on either the white label near the model number or on the white label located on the bottom of the headboard. Cribs with a green sticker on the mattress frame are not included in the recall.

Sold at: Specialty juvenile product stores nationwide from November 2005 through November 2007 for between $400 and $600.

Manufactured in: Indonesia

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled cribs and contact Munire Furniture to receive replacement spring brackets.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Munire Furniture Inc. at (866) 586-9639 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET or visit the firm?s Web site at www.munirefurniture.com