HE’S a big bundle of joy – a really, really big bundle.
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Bentley Dahlstrom is officially the biggest baby ever born at Tamworth hospital, weighing in at a whopping 6.29kg – a touch under 14 pounds in the old scale.
A bub for proud parents Michelle Wharram and Kevin Dahlstron of Moree, Bentley was – mercifully – born by Caesarean section on Tuesday.
His mum, whose first child weighed in at just four pounds, said she was “still in shock”.
“I’m just glad he didn’t come naturally,” Ms Wharram said.
“I can’t believe it’s happened ... when I saw the expressions on the doctors’ faces as they pulled him out, I knew there was something different about him.”
Bentley’s parents have already had to buy new clothes, while maternity ward nurses have been forced to pinch bottles, singlets and nappies from the children’s ward.
“The 000 and 00 clothes wouldn’t even go over one leg,” Ms Wharram said.
It’s hardly a surprise, Bentley is almost twice the weight of an average Australian newborn.
Ms Wharram described her partner Kevin as “only a little fella” and hoped Bentley would one day grow big and strong enough to play for her beloved Canterbury Bulldogs.
“He could play the whole front row by himself,” she said.
Tamworth hospital midwife Maureen Simpson said Bentley had become a celebrity in the maternity ward.
“We haven’t seen a baby as big as Bentley here before,” Mrs Simpson said.
“It’s always such a surprise to see a baby that size and I’m relieved they did decide to go Caesarean section.
“He’s such a relaxed boy and very sweet.”