Big baby rates a special delivery

The Reid family's first child made a big first impression

An Aberdeenshire couple are recovering from the shock of their first baby being one of the country's biggest - tipping the scales at just under 13lbs.

Zoe and George Reid, of Inverurie, could hardly believe it when son Matthew weighed in at 12lbs 13oz.

His weight is more common for children of about three months old.

Mrs Reid, 36, a nurse, told the BBC Scotland news website: "I could not believe he was such a big baby - but Matthew is perfect."

Matthew was a fortnight overdue when he was born by Caesarean section last Monday at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.

Proud new father Mr Reid, also 36, who works for Scottish Water, said: "He is keeping us very busy.

I just remember seeing him and thinking 'goodness' Zoe Reid

"Matthew was two weeks overdue so that might explain it.

"Zoe had quite a big bump but there was no suggestion the baby would be quite this big - it came as a complete surprise.

"When he was born, the theatre staff said he was a big baby and were all trying to guess his size - but the biggest was just under 11lbs.

"He's quite long at 22in rather than chubby, if he's going to be a footballer he must be a centre half rather than a striker."

'Emotional moment'

Mrs Reid, who works at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said: "He does not actually look his weight but he's very long - especially next to little babies.

"I just remember seeing him and thinking 'goodness'.

"It was an emotional moment."

Matthew is too big for most of his clothes and is having to wear outfits for babies aged six months.

According to Guinness World Records, the heaviest baby to survive a birth was a boy weighing 22lbs 8oz at Aversa, Italy, in 1955.

A doctor in Torpoint, Cornwall, reported that a child born on Christmas Day in 1852 weighed 21lbs. A boy weighing 20lbs 2oz was born in Crewe, Cheshire, in November 1884.