If there's one way in which parents want their babies to be average, it might be when it comes to weight. Too low and parents fret that their little ones are, well, too little or perhaps ill; too high and they start to worry about other health problems. Show
But here's some news that might help you relax: There's a wide range of healthy weights when it comes to newborns, and as long as your baby is eating, peeing and pooping, there's probably no cause for concern. What does the average newborn weigh at birth?The average birthweight of babies born in the U.S. is around 7 to 7 ½ pounds. If your newborn baby falls somewhere between 5 ½ pounds (or 2,500 grams) and 8 ¾ pounds (or 4,000 grams), there's probably no reason to be concerned about her size. If she's bigger or smaller than that, your practitioner might recommend some extra tests or monitoring to make sure she stays healthy. What factors contribute to your newborn baby's weight?What makes your baby weigh more or less than the newborn in the next bassinet? Several factors come into play:
Newborn weight lossDon't be alarmed to learn that, upon discharge from the hospital or birthing center, your baby will weigh on average 5 to 10 percent less than she did at birth. What's up with the downturn? She's just losing fluid, which is normal right after delivery. Continue Reading Below Read This NextAnd because she doesn't need a lot of food right now (a good thing since mature transitional breast milk won't arrive for three to four days postpartum), she won't gain those ounces back right away. Not to worry — within five days, she should start gaining weight again, and within 10 to 14 days, she'll be back up to her birth weight, if not beyond. Newborn growth spurtsYour pediatrician will monitor your baby's weight at well-baby checkups, most likely at 1, 2 and 4 weeks of age. (If your practitioner schedules fewer appointments, feel free to bring your baby in for a weight check anytime.) Don't go by your scale at home — it's not sensitive enough to pick up on those fractions of an ounce that matter when it comes to newborn weight! Typically, once they're back to their birth weight, new babies gain 4 to 7 ounces a week for the first 4 to 6 months — that's 1 to 2 pounds a month. After about 4 months, formula-fed babies will gain at a slightly faster rate due to formula's slightly different composition and that parents tend to have babies to finish bottles (as opposed to letting them stop at the breast whenever they want). If you're not sure whether your little one is getting enough milk, here's a good gauge: If your baby is eating enough, she'll produce eight to 10 wet diapers a day, and at least five poopy ones if she's breastfed (fewer than formula-fed newborns). Many babies go through a growth spurt at 7 to 10 days old, and then again at 3 weeks and 6 weeks of age. Don't be surprised if your little one demands extra feedings around those times, or nurses for longer sessions. (It's a good thing that breastfeeding is all about supply and demand; the more baby nurses, the more milk mom makes!). Baby's weight might shoot up during these periods, and increase more slowly in between growth spurts. How to manage too much weight loss or weight gain in your babyIf your baby is consistently gaining much less than the recommended 4 ounces a week, you'll need to do some troubleshooting to find out what's holding back her weight gain and how to fix the problem. Some common issues include:
What if your baby is packing on the pounds faster than 7 ounces a week? If that just happens over the course of one week, you might be in the middle of a growth spurt. And some newborns simply grow faster than others. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, it's unlikely that you're overfeeding her, and the extra weight gain is probably just a sign of her growing appetite. If you're supplementing with bottles, or feeding formula exclusively, make sure you know the signs that your baby is full. A full baby will usually:
When to call the doctorIf your baby has the recommended number of wet and poopy diapers a day, seems alert after she wakes up from sleeping, and is latching onto a breast or bottle correctly, there's no need to obsess about the scale. Babies all grow at different rates, and the newborn who's slow to grow will likely catch up to her peers later, just like the one who's growing at an impressive clip will probably level off in time. But a call is warranted if you notice any of the following:
As always, if you have any concerns at all about your newborn's weight, check in with your pediatrician. Chances are all those ups and downs are part of your baby's normal growing patterns and will stabilize in time. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. Was this article helpful? What would be a normal body weight after 1 year for a healthy infant?Most babies double their birth weight by five to six months of age and triple it by the time they are a year old. By one year, the average weight of a baby girl is approximately 19 pounds 10 ounces (8.9 kg), with boys weighing about 21 pounds 3 ounces (9.6 kg).
What is the typical weight gain lbs of an infant between the first and second year of life quizlet?In the next two years, the infant will grow faster than at any later period, including adolescence. Birth-weight typically doubles by five months (to 15 pounds) and triples by the first birthday (to 22 pounds). The baby gains only 5 to 6 pounds in the second year, and 4 to 5 pounds in the third year.
What is the typical weight gain in pounds of an infant between the first and second year of life?By age 4 to 6 months, an infant's weight should be double their birth weight. During the second half of the first year of life, growth is not as rapid. Between ages 1 and 2, a toddler will gain only about 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms). Weight gain will remain at about 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms) per year between ages 2 to 5.
How much should a 1 year old eat?At 1 year, solid foods – including healthy snacks – are now your child's main source of energy and nutrition. He can take between three quarters to one cup of food three to four times a day, plus one to two snacks between meals. Continue breastfeeding as much as your child wants, until he is at least 2 years old.
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