The delivery of a child is the happiest moment in a woman’s life. One of the first questions a new mother is asked is about the weight of a baby. Some babies are lightweight and tiny while some are heavy. Each baby is unique. There is no ideal birth weight or height of a baby. It is simply a range in which most babies fall.
Many mothers feel that the heavier the baby, the healthier it is. This may not be true. An underweight or overweight baby is prone to many illnesses. A baby needs to be healthy and active. This is important.
In This Article
- Is The Weight Of A Baby Important?
- First 3 Months Weight Of A Baby
- Underweight Babies
- Overweight Baby
- Weight Gain
Is The Weight Of A Baby Important?
The weight of a baby is one of the many important measures, that your pediatric doctor can use to help you determine if your baby is developing in an expected way or if there may be any underlying in it.
First 3 Months Weight Of A Baby
Parents are concerned about the weight of a baby and read all data available so that they can check if their baby is growing normally or not. Once the birth weight of a baby is known, the doctor will map the growth pattern.
The important thing is that the weight gain in the baby month on month should be healthy and normal. In the first three months, it is important to weigh the baby every week and ensure that it is gaining an average of 200 gms per week. That is the general normal weight gain. If this is happening, there is no need for concern.
By the time a baby is five months old, it should have doubled its birth weight. From then on until it becomes a year old, the gain in weight every month should be around 400 gms. But though this is the norm, many babies fall ill, and there could be a dip in weight. It is important to ensure that overall weight gain around 6 Months and after a year is more or less normal.
Underweight Babies
In case it is noticed that a baby is underweight, it is good to consult a doctor, who will rule out any medical issues. The doctor will also check how frequently the baby urinates or monitor its bowel movements. Another factor for not gaining the required weight could be that the baby is unable to suck well and thus not to get adequate nutrition from the mother’s milk.
Another important factor is genes. If there is a history of the parents having been underweight at birth, there is a high chance that the baby may also be underweight. In the initial weeks after birth, it is best to feed the baby breastmilk only. This has adequate nutrition needed for its growth.
Overweight Baby
If you have any problems like diabetes or gestational diabetes, you may have a chance of having an overweight baby. Above-average, weight babies may need extra medication to make sure their blood sugar levels are in normal ranges or not.
Your baby’s weight may be more than the average weight also if you gain more than the required amount of weight during the pregnancy phase. This is the reason why it is important to maintain a healthy diet plan when you are pregnant for you and your baby too.
Always follow the suggestions given by your doctor about it. It is a very important one to help your baby to stay within a healthy weight as they grow and start eating solid food items. Doing this may help them to maintain the normal weight of a baby in their further days. Otherwise, consult your doctor about it if you are concerned about the baby’s weight.
Weight Gain
It is important that a child is well-fed and receives adequate nutrition from the mother. But the following are important when discussing to gain weight of a baby:
1. Breast Milk
Breast milk is the most natural and nutritious food that a baby feeds on after birth. In cases where there is inadequate breast milk or any other issues in feeding the mother’s milk, it is good to give formula milk. But it is good to take advice from a doctor before starting the formula.
2. Adequate Feed
It is good to feed every 2 to 3 hours. It is also equally important to ensure that the baby is sucking correctly and getting an adequate quantity of breast milk. This will ensure weight gain.
3. Other Food
It is imperative that only breast milk is fed to a baby until it is four months old. Solids should start only after a baby completes four months. But it is good to go slow when moving from the liquid diet to a combination of a liquid and solid diet. When a solid item is fed to a baby, it is good to wait a while and check for any allergic reaction.
If there is one, it is important to stop the food item immediately and also consult a doctor. Fruits and vegetables can be cooked and pureed before feeding so that it is easy to eat. The introduction of solid foods will increase the weight of a baby.
4. Cereals
There are baby cereals available, and those will also specify for which age it should be consumed. It is good to mix the cereals with milk or water and feed a little at a time. Whenever a baby is started off, on a new food item, it is good to give that food only once a day. The rest of the time, it is good to continue with milk and pureed fruits and vegetables.
In terms of length or height gain, the norm is a half to one-inch increase every week, for babies who are less than six months old. A 3-month baby will be around 60 to 62 cm long. The baby’s growth in the first year is a marvel. The baby’s body, as well as the brain, grow at an amazing pace. A healthy and active child is an indication that all is well.
