You now have a new tiny bean in your home. Congratulations! Your little one is indeed hungry if they appear to be constantly hungry. Babies need to grow and develop a great deal!
During the first five months of life, the weight of your kid will about double. Most babies triple their birth weight by the time they turn one year old. However, infants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, just like adults.
Some infants put on weight rapidly. As per the child growth norms set by the World Health Organization (WHO), boys tend to gain weight more quickly than girls.
During your child’s regular checkups, your paediatrician will weigh your baby regularly to make sure the weight increase is within the usual range for their age and length. It’s acceptable if your child occasionally reaches record heights; each infant is unique and gains weight at a different rate.
What does the average newborn weigh at birth?
In the United States, newborns typically weigh between seven and seven and a half pounds.
You probably shouldn’t worry about your newborn’s size if she weighs between 5 and a half pounds (2,500 grams) and 8 and a half pounds (4,000 grams). Should her weight exceed or fall below that threshold, your physician may suggest additional testing or close observation to ensure her continued well-being.
What factors contribute to your newborn baby’s weight?
What factors cause your baby’s weight to differ from that of the baby in the adjacent bassinet? There are several factors at work:
• Your diet and weight, both before and throughout the pregnancy (a larger baby may result from being overweight; a smaller baby may result from inadequate nutrient intake).
• Your health during pregnancy, including any alcohol, tobacco, or diabetes you may have
• Genetics and your birth weight (your birth weight plus the current weights of both parents may be factors)
• Your age (young moms typically give birth to smaller kids)
• If your child is a boy or a girl (boys often weigh more),
• If this is your first child—firstborns typically have smaller statures than subsequent ones—
• If your child is a twin or a triplet
Newborn weight gain chart
Below is the chart that shows the average weight gain chart of a newborn baby:
What to do if your baby isn’t gaining enough weight
In the first week following delivery, the majority of newborns lose some weight. But do not worry. In the upcoming weeks, they will easily make up for it as long as they are eating adequately.
In the first few days of life, most newborns lose 7 to 10 percent of their birth weight on average. By ten to fourteen days following delivery, they should ideally have returned to their birth weight. If not, make sure to discuss any concerns regarding feeding with your pediatrician and potentially a lactation specialist.
It’s crucial to weigh your child on a regular basis, whether at home or at the doctor’s office, as any weight growth that is within a safe range indicates that the baby is getting enough food.
Your pediatrician can assist if your baby hasn’t gained back their birth weight by days 10 to 14, has lost too much weight, or is growing too slowly. Often, they will work in tandem with a lactation consultant.
When to make a doctor’s appointment
There’s no reason to worry about the scale if your baby is wearing the necessary amount of wet and poopy diapers each day, is attentive when waking up from sleep, and is latching onto a breast or bottle correctly.
All newborns grow at different rates, so while the baby growing at a rapid pace will probably level off eventually, the slow-growing infant will probably catch up to her contemporaries later.
However, you should give us a call if you see any of the following:
• When your baby is two weeks old, she still hasn’t reached her birth weight; • She has a sharp decrease in weight after reaching her birth weight.
• Even after waking up from a nap, she appears lethargic or unresponsive.
As usual, see your pediatrician if you have any worries about your newborn’s weight. Most likely, your baby’s ups and downs are just a natural aspect of their growth cycles and will level out eventually.