Several possible factors can cause slow weight gain, from a medical condition to social or financial hardship. Anything that interferes with a child's access to food or ability to digest food can impair their growth. Often it is caused by a combination of factors.
If there is concern but no urgent medical recommendations, the first step is to try to increase your baby's intake of milk. You can: Try breastfeeding more often, day and night. Offer at least both breasts at each feed.
Other factors should be considered when a baby: Doesn't gain at least a half-ounce (15 g) a day by the fourth or fifth day after birth. Doesn't regain birth weight by 2 to 3 weeks after birth. Doesn't gain at least 1 pound (454 g) a month for the first 4 months (from lowest weight after birth vs.
Doesn't gain about 0.67 ounces per day (20g/day) between 3 and 6 months of age. Doesn't regain birth weight by 10 to 14 days after birth. Has a dramatic drop in rate of growth (weight, length, or head circumference) from his or her previous curve.
Babies tend to gain weight fast and then slow down. In the first few months, babies gain about 1 ounce (28 grams) a day. That slows at around 4 months to about 20 grams a day. As they turn 6 months old, many babies are gaining about 10 grams or less a day.
Weight: average gain of 1 pound each month; boys usually weigh about ½ pound more than girls; 2 times the birth weight by 4 to 5 months and 3 times the birth weight by 1 year. Height: average growth of about ½ inch each month.
Healthy breastfed infants typically put on weight more slowly than formula-fed infants in the first year of life. Formula-fed infants typically gain weight more quickly after about 3 months of age. Differences in weight patterns continue even after complimentary foods are introduced.
To support all this growth, your doctor may advise you to increase your food intake. According to the American Pregnancy Association, your baby gains around 1/2 pound (266.6 gms) each week during the 9th month of pregnancy.
Six months – At the half year mark, it is common for most babies to be roughly double their birth weight. So expect an average weight of 7.3 to 7.5 kg for baby girls and 7.9 kg to 8.5 kg for baby boys.
Infant birthweight doubling time is widely quoted as being achieved between 5 and 6 months.
According to the WHO, the average birth weight of a full-term male baby is 7 pounds (lb) 6 ounces (oz) , or 3.3 kilograms (kg). The average birth weight of a full-term female is 7 lb 2 oz , or 3.2 kg. The average weight of a baby born at 37–40 weeks ranges from 5 lb 8 oz to 8 lb 13 oz. This is 2.5 to 4 kg.
The average weight at two months is about 11 pounds 4 ounces (5.1 kg) for girls and 12 pounds 5 ounces (5.6 kg) for boys.
Include protein foods 2-3 times per day such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts and seeds. Eat three servings of vegetables, including dark green and yellow vegetables per day. Eat two servings of fruit per day. Include whole grains such as whole wheat breads, pasta, cereal and oatmeal in your daily diet.
Genetically lean baby
Or he might have be born normal weight and become progressively leaner during the early months. Genetically lean babies are underweight babies when using medical criteria. Baby's length is as expected given the size of parents and other family members.
The findings highlight the importance of monitoring a baby's weight and height gain during the first few weeks and months, but not creating anxiety with parents of slow-growing babies who are well, as most of these babies will catch up to within the national average over time.
Low-birth-weight babies often have problems. The baby's tiny body is not as strong as a baby of normal birth weight. They may have a harder time eating, gaining weight, and fighting infection. Low-birth-weight babies often have a hard time staying warm because they don't have much fat on their bodies.
This could be because the mother isn't making enough milk, or the baby can't get enough milk out of the breast. Or it could be that the baby may have a health problem. Your baby's healthcare provider should assess any instance of poor weight gain. Often a certified lactation consultant can help.
Each child is born with a genetic blueprint for their predetermined size and shape. Some babies are supposed to be chunky. Some babies are supposed to be skinny. Along with this blueprint, they have the innate ability to eat the right amount of food to support their body type.
Birth to 3 months: 5 to 7 ounces or 150 to 200 grams per week. 3 to 6 months: 3.5 to 5 ounces or 100 to 150 grams per week. 6 to 12 months: 2.5 to 3 ounces or 70 to 90 grams a week.
As a rough guide, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council recommends the following for weight gain in infancy: Birth to 3 months: 150 to 200 grams a week. 3 to 6 months: 100 to 150 grams a week. 6 to 12 months: 70 to 90 grams a week.