XML RSS
What is this?
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Add to Google

Home
What's New?
Contribute/Donate
Ask Erika
Buy Tinokis
Babywearing
Breastfeeding Diet
Weaning
Starting Solids
Growth Charts
Pregnancy
Special Needs Baby
Medication
Pumping
Nursing Toddlers
Who is Erika?
Increase Milk Supply
Nursing Bras
Work from Home
Online Services
Photo Gallery
Breastfeeding Benefits
Infant Potty Training
Toddler Activities
Headaches
Anatomy
Pregnant Breastfeeding
Problems
Stories
Iron
Site Map
Normal Weight Gain
Caffeine
 

Normal Baby Weight Gain

baby weight gain

Normal Baby Weight Gain

Congratulations! Your new baby has arrived and is breastfeeding. How do you know if your baby is gaining the weight that he or she should? What is normal weight gain for babies? Many books and medical professionals will tell you that it is normal for your baby to lose 10% of their birth weight during the first three to four days after birth. It is best to avoid this amount of weight loss in your baby by feeding frequently. Weight loss of 5 to 7% in the first three to four days is birth is considered normal. If your baby has lost more weight, it’s a sign that baby needs to nurse more often or perhaps there is another issue that should be evaluated. The earlier that difficulties are recognized the less complicated they become.

There is usually no need to weigh your baby more than once a week. When your baby is 2 weeks he or she should have regained their birth weight though premature babies often take longer to regain weight. When you calculate your baby’s weight, use the lowest beginning weight recorded. It’s best to weigh baby undressed and with the same scale to make sure the measurements are accurate.

Normal Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies

The following weight gain standards for breastfed babies are according to the World Health Organization. Get WHO baby weight gain charts .

0 – 4 months 5.5 - 8.5 ounces per week / 155 - 241 grams per week

4-6 months 3.25 - 4.5 ounces per week / 92 - 126 grams per week

6-12 months 1.75 - 2.75 ounces per week / 50 - 80 grams per week

Normal Height Growth

0 – 6 months 1 inch per month / 2.5 cm per month

6-12 months 1/2 inch per month / 1.27 cm per month

Normal Head Growth

0 – 6 months 1/2 inch per month / 1.27 cm per month

6-12 months 1/4 inch per month / 64 mm per month


footer for baby weight gain page