There are so many lessons in life that you, as a parent, teach your child. Teaching your baby about food is one lesson that your child is born knowing something about. New babies know when they’re hungry and when they’re full.

But sometimes we have very chubby babes. Is this baby more likely to become an overweight adult? If you look at the research on this, you won’t find the absolutely true answer. Some say yes and some no.

In most situations, it appears that the size of your infant under 2 and the size she will be as an adult is not connected. If the baby is extremely overweight, some researchers feel this baby is more likely to be overweight as an adult.

Another medical clinic maintains that the best predictors of an overweight child are if both parents or even just the mother is overweight.

One good way to help ensure that your baby doesn’t overeat is to breastfeed him. Some believe that breastfed babies eat primarily when they are hungry. They are not encouraged to overeat by an overly enthusiastic parent.

Other “experts” stress giving more fruits and vegetables and less rice and cereal.

A different group is concerned about babies being given too much fruit juice. They maintain juice isn’t as healthy as actual fruit. Others say this isn’t as bad as giving sweetened soft drinks to a young child.

Another physician studying overweight babies maintains that if a mother smokes during pregnancy, she increases her risk of having an extra-small newborn who then grows up to be an overweight child.

This same researcher found that babies who didn’t get enough sleep tended to pack on unneeded ounces that soon added up to unneeded pounds. A second researcher on this agreed but also felt that timing of sleep made a difference. Late bedtimes (after 9 p.m.) are linked to excess weight.

Another theory is that you might be overfeeding your baby. This theory says that offering a breast or bottle because your baby is crying when he is bored or if he is just slightly uncomfortable may encourage overeating.

Other medical people believe you may be feeding your baby too much solid food. At this point, your baby doesn’t need the calories that solids provide. As he does begin to want more solid foods, it will be time to reduce the number of bottles or breast-feedings.

Parents worry about their baby’s size and whether it is any indication of how their child will look as an adult. Will your chubby baby be obese later in life?

If your baby is simply chubby, don’t be overly concerned. All babies have more body fat than older children. But if his weight seems to be climbing at a faster rate than his height, talk to your pediatrician. You need more advice than what your parent says or your neighbor. If your pediatrician agrees that your baby’s weight is excessive, discuss what you can do.

No matter how overweight you think your baby is, never ever consider putting him on a low-fat diet. Restricting calories, limiting feedings or using reduced fat milk can be dangerous. Fat is important in brain development. Without the right amount of fat in their diets, babies can develop serious problems in learning ability and intelligence.

If, on the other side, you’re worried that your baby is too thin, you also need to speak to your doctor.

You need to be comfortable with how you are raising your baby. Look at all the information that is given you. There is no one source of all the answers. Read, listen and ask questions not just about feeding your baby but about all the questions you have about raising this special little person.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com.