Baby Weight Gain

When you bring home your new bundle of bliss after giving birth, one of the important things which are frequently asked by people is how much your baby weighs. And this question is continuously asked for at least the first year of child’s life. So it is important to get acquainted with what to watch for and what are the warning signs of insufficient weight gain.

Weight of the baby must be noticed keenly beginning from his/her date of birth. Baby weight gain should be maintained properly according to his/her age. Both underweight and overweight are not considered to be good for baby because many health problems may arise if the weight is more or less.

Firstly, all babies gain weight differently no matter whatever their weight is at the time of birth. It is possible that a four pounds baby could weigh 20 pounds in first year while a 10 pound baby could weigh 18 pounds in first year. There are many important variables which are to be considered.

The first important element to be considered while monitoring your baby’s weight gain is how much is your baby gaining weight and how much they are losing their weight. If breastfeeding, duration and frequency of breast feedings are properly tracked-off, then it will help in determining whether your baby is eating enough at regular intervals of time to get the required nourishment.

Formula of fed babies will pursue a more strict schedule concerning duration between feedings and how many ounces consumed.

Noticing the output of your baby is significantly important. A newborn should at least wet 4-6 diapers every day and generally poop one or more times every day. Breasted babies are expected to have a very small amount of stool after every feeding and as they get older possibly only once every day.

The first weight check of your baby should be done after 2 weeks which is considered to be an essential factor in knowing how well your baby is gaining weight. In this first visit to the doctor, most of the babies have usually regained their birth weight and sometimes their weight even exceeds the normal limit.

The growth and energy levels of your baby can be maintained properly by providing the right amount of foods essential for them. Perfect baby weight gain can be attained if you follow properly the nutrition table.

Infants who are aged between 0-3 months should be given breast milk in their breakfast, in their lunch or in their dinner or snacks. For gaining correct baby weight, infants who are aged between 4-8 months should be given breast milk in the morning when they wake-up. In their breakfast they can be given breast milk, infant cereal or any fruit or vegetable. During their lunch and dinner also they can be given the same food. Thus, for gaining perfect weight of a baby healthy diet of food should be given to them.

Weight gain is considered to be one of the signs of good health in the breastfeeding baby. Many times, a completely healthy baby basically gains weight slowly just because of his/her own unique pattern of growth. It is necessary that the baby and the mother should be properly checked by a certified lactation consultant or by the physician if a baby is not gaining weight according to certain prescribed patterns.

To decide whether slow weight gain is due to baby’s natural pattern of growth or it is the result of something else, you should ask many questions regarding both you and your baby. Thus, baby weight gain is crucially important at his/her early stage of growth.