Weighing in at a hefty 22kg and standing 96cm tall, 10-month-old Karan Singh is a giant among babies.
While some mums would be more than a little surprised to find their baby weighed the same as the average five-year-old, proud mum Svetlana Singh — who stands at 218cm herself — didn’t bat an eyelid.
The delighted mum — who is an inch taller than basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal — hopes her giant baby will grow up to become the tallest person in the world. Speaking in the family’s modest home in Meerut, on the outskirts of Delhi, Svetlana told how the hungry youngster needs feeding an astonishing 20 times a day.
“He just doesn’t stop eating and never stops growing,” she said. “He is only 10 months old and wears clothes designed for five-year-olds.
“Karan has never fitted into baby clothes, even when he was first born he was 66cm tall and was the same size as a normal two-year-old.”
Husband Sanjay, who at 198cm has to look up to his wife, hopes his son’s height will help him become a basketball player so he can study in America.
“Both sides of our family are very tall — my father is 197cm and Svetlana’s father is 199cm — so Karan could not really have been born any other way,” he said.
Despite being proud of their size the family admit it can cause problems. Travelling in buses and cars is almost impossible because both husband and wife have to stoop to fit in. And shopping becomes an ordeal in itself as hordes of curious onlookers gather to stare at the couple and their giant baby.
“Despite his size everyone treats Karan normally because he is such a happy baby,” said Sanjay. “People who don’t know us stare initially, but Karan always wins them around with his smile and personality.
“He has a very jolly nature. He laughs and giggles a lot and has already started walking. “The amount of food he demands must give him extra energy because he is very strong.”
The couple, who are both doctors of naturopathy met at university where their size immediately attracted them to each other.
“I was unsure if I would ever find a wife to match my height, but as soon as I met Svetlana I knew we would make a great couple,” said Sanjay. “I dream Karan will become a doctor like us. Perhaps his size will help him — we would love to send him to study in the US and he would be naturally gifted at basketball.
“We hope an American college might take him because he will be so tall. We will try to look after Karan and give him the best life.”
Credits: Sam Relph/Barcroft Pacific.
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