12lbs 2ozs Jack a strapping lad

Donna Saunders and Nick Saunders with their 12lb 2 ounce new born baby Jack Allen Saunders.

THEY say the best things come in small packages — but bigger is definitely better for first-time parents Donna and Nick Saunders.

For Jack Allen Saunders weighed in at a bouncing 12lbs 2ozs and he is thought to be one of Oldham’s biggest babies.

The 33-year-old, of Harewood Drive in Royton, endured a painful 16-hour labour before giving birth to Jack, naturally by forceps delivery at the Royal Oldham Hospital, on October 30.

Doctors and midwives on the ward held a sweepstake on Jack’s weight but none came close to guessing just how big he was.

And when Nick (34) texted friends and family with the good news they thought he had mixed Jack’s weight up with the time of his birth.

Donna, a management accountant at JW Lees, said: “Our families thought Jack had been born at two minutes past midnight rather than weighing 12lbs 2ozs. They couldn’t believe how big he was. My final scan showed that he would weigh around 9lbs so we were all shocked when he came out weighing 12lbs.

“I was a bit upset because if they think a baby will weigh more than 10lbs they offer you a Caesarean which would have been a lot easier on me and Jack.

“The midwives were fantastic but I was in a lot of pain and the experience has made me think twice about having another baby! Jack looked so big compared with the other babies on the ward.”

Donna and Nick, an accommodation administrator at Salford University, had bought clothes in size 0-3 months but these only just fit him.

Family have rallied round to kit Jack out in clothes more suitable.

Donna said: “I tried breast feeding at first but the milk wasn’t coming out fast enough for him so we had to switch him on to bottles.

“He is really well behaved and only cries if his nappy needs changing or he’s hungry.”