Your Newborn's Weight - What is Normal?

One of the first aspects everyone tends to focus on when it comes to a newborn, is their weight. “how much did your baby weigh” is a question you will answer multiple times in the first few weeks. A baby’s weight is an important factor that can tell us about their health. Your newborn’s weight will always be a concern for you as a new mother.

How Big Are Newborns?

We are all different from the day we are born. Newborn babies differ in size and weight. A baby born to tall or big parents can be both heavy and lengthy. Similarly, if the parents are thin or small made, the baby can be too.

On average a newborn can be the size of a winter melon at 37 weeks and a small pumpkin at 40 weeks; weighing roughly between 2.5kg to 4kg. However, babies can be either bigger or smaller than this size at birth. Though in both cases, the baby can be perfectly fine, doctors will pay a little more attention than usual to rule out any complications.

Is Bigger Better For Newborns?

Not really. A tiny baby can be very delicate and difficult to manage. However, the size cannot determine anything. If the baby is more than 4kg or big made, it can complicate the birthing process. In many cases, vaginal delivery may not be possible, resulting in a cesarean section. Sometimes a heavy baby can even indicate other health issues.

What Does the Average Newborn Weight at Birth?

The average weight of a baby born between the 37th and the 40th week is roughly anywhere between 2.5kgs to 4 kg. Anything lesser than 2.5kg is considered underweight while more than 4kg is considered a big baby.

As mentioned earlier, there are many factors that can influence this. Just because your newborn does not fit into this size or weight range, does not mean there is anything wrong with them. Unless the doctors have medical reasons, there is nothing to worry about here.

List of Top 7 Factors Affecting Your Newborn’s Weight

Some of the factors that can affect a newborn baby’s weight are:

1. Height And Weight of Parents

In most cases, the size of the parents has a direct impact on the size of the baby. Big-made parents – big baby; small-made parents – small baby. Then again, this is not a hard and fast rule. Sometimes, taller babies can be born to combination or short parents. Genetics plays a major role in deciding the height and weight of a newborn baby.

2. Ethnicity

People from different ethnicities are different in size and weight. The same applies to babies too. However, if both parents are from different ethnicities, one can never guess the size of the baby.

3. Multiple Gestations

If your baby has to share the uterus with more siblings, it can affect their size and weight. Since the space is limited, the baby’s growth will be too. Such babies pick up after birth and

4. Order of Birth

Usually, the firstborn baby is smaller in size compared to others.

5. Mother’s Health

If the mother has suffered gestational hypertension, diabetes, or other ailments, it could lead to a low birth weight baby. Similarly, if the mother was on any drugs or medications, it could lead to higher birth weight baby.

6. Baby’s Health

Birth defects and other medical issues can have an impact on the baby’s birth weight.

7. Pregnancy Journey

If there were any complications or an accident during the pregnancy, it can affect the baby’s growth. Sometimes, hormonal injections or medications to ensure the safety of the baby during such events can lead to bigger babies.

Will Your Newborn Baby Lose Weight After Birth?

All babies lose a little weight after birth and regain it slowly. Since the baby is in the amniotic fluid until they are born, their body absorbs a lot of the liquid.

In the first 2 weeks after birth, babies lose this water weight. Their weight will then increase depending on their feeding pattern.

[Read : Baby Weight Loss After Birth]

Are Newborn Growth Spurts Normal?

Yes, they are perfectly normal. Babies experience a growth spurt every few months. However, this is not identical for all babies. While one baby might experience a growth spurt in the third month, one baby might experience it in the first month itself.

Babies grow in height and gain weight at a faster rate, during this growth spurt. You are most likely to notice this with their clothes. Suddenly they may seem to be outgrowing clothes at a fast rate and then it will slow down again.

How to Manage too Much Weight Loss in Babies?

It is natural for a newborn to lose some weight in the initial 2 weeks. however, what if they lose too much? How can you manage this? Here, are a few ideas:

Improve the breastfeeding mother’s diet.
Increase the number of feeds or duration of each feed.
If the baby has reflux issues, check with the doctor and give a top-up feed with a suitable formula.
Maintain a feeding diary and track the baby’s intake.

It is not medically recommended to start your baby on solid foods or “weight-gaining” foods until the baby is 6 months old. If you want to do otherwise, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor first.

[Read : Post Delivery Diet]

How to Manage too Much Weight Gain in Babies?

Everyone loves a growing baby. A baby gaining weight can be delightful for the parents. What if the gain is too much? You can manage this excessive weight gain in babies in the following ways.

Change the breastfeeding mother’s diet and include only healthy foods rich in essential nutrients
Feed only on demand
If the baby is on formula milk, measure and stick to the prescribed limit every feed
Avoid cluster feeding
Check baby’s urination and bowel movements

When Should You be Concerned About Your Baby’s Weight?

Your baby’s weight is bound to fluctuate in the first year. One month the weight gain could be steady while in the next month it can be drastic. If your baby is gaining too much weight too fast or losing weight every week, it is time to consult a doctor.

When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?

If you notice the following in your baby, you need to consult a doctor immediately.

Sudden weight loss after the first 2 weeks
No weight gain week-on-week or month-on-month
The baby does not urinate much
The baby is not feeding properly
Baby suffers from severe reflux that prevents them from retaining any milk
Baby does not double their birth weight in the first 6 months

Your newborns’ weight may worry you. It is necessary to understand that every baby is different and so is their weight. While weight can be an important measuring factor, one should not compare it with other babies’ weights and worry too much.

FAQ’s

1. Is it Normal For Newborn Babies to Gain and Lose Weight?

Yes, it is very normal for a newborn to lose some weight in the first week after birth and regain the weight over the next two weeks. Both the weight loss and the weight gain will be gradual and not very drastic.

2. How Much Weight Should a Baby Gain Per Month?

A baby should gain anywhere between 500 gm to a kg every month. This will vary depending on the birth weight and feeding pattern.

3. What is the Normal Weight Loss in a Newborn?

A healthy baby can lose between 7% to 10% of their birth weight within the first 2 weeks after birth.

4. How Much Weight Should a Newborn Baby Gain Per Week?

A healthy newborn can gain anywhere between 100gm to 200gm every week. Babies on formula milk might gain a little more than those on breast milk.

5. How Much Weight Should a Newborn Baby Gain Per Day?

It is not feasible to check your newborn baby’s weight every day. On average a baby must gain approximately 30gm per day.

Your Newborn’s Weight – What is Normal?