In the first four weeks of life, your baby will gain at least 5 oz. each week, according to KidsHealth. Glade Curtis and Judith Schuler, authors of "Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week," point out that by the end of three months, an infant will have gained an average of 1-1/2 to 2 lbs. each month. Your baby will grow at a tremendous pace, especially in their first few weeks of life.
Size
HealthyChildren, a website associated with the American Academy of Pediatrics, reports that 80 out of every 100 babies born at 40 weeks of pregnancy weigh between 5 lbs. 11-1/2 oz. and 8 lbs. 5-3/4 oz. This is a "healthy average." A baby above the 90th percentile, or below the 10ht percentile may be watched more closely in the days just after birth. Keep in mind, though, that where your baby falls on the growth chart now, does not dictate his size as an adult.
Misconceptions
A big, chubby newborn--often one outside of the 90th percentile--was once looked upon as a "healthy" baby. According to KidsHealth, though, these babies may need extra feedings, or even intravenous glucose, in the first days of life. Their larger size may make maintaining blood sugar levels difficult. Large babies are a particular risk of mothers with diabetes. According to HealthyChildren, other factors such as ethnicity, sex, overdue pregnancy or the mother having children previously have the potential of producing a large newborn.
Tracking Growth
According to HealthyChildren, your baby's length, weight and head circumference are measured at each physical exam starting from birth. The measurements of a healthy baby will increase predictably, and any interruptions will alert your pediatrician to any sort of medical or feeding issues.
Warning
Failure to thrive is diagnosed--most often--in infants or toddlers. The condition of failure to thrive occurs when a child is unable to take in or utilize the appropriate amount of calories to fuel appropriate growth, according to KidsHealth. Failure to thrive can occur as a result of a parent--for whatever reason--not feeding the baby enough. It can also result due to various illnesses, a milk protein allergy, infection, prematurity, or some other medical disorder that makes eating difficult.
Considerations
According to KidsHealth, if you are at all concerned about your baby's weight gain, check with her doctor. The small size of a newborn makes it difficult to know if she is gaining enough weight. Breastfeeding mothers, especially, may wonder if their baby is getting enough to eat since there is no specific measurement telling you how much she just ate.
References
- HealthyChildren: Tracking Your Baby's Weight and Measurements
- "Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week;" Glade B. Curtis, MD, MPH and Judith Schuler, MS; 2010
- KidsHealth: Growth and Your Newborn
- KidsHealth: Failure to Thrive
