Worried that your skinny baby isn’t getting all the nutrients she needs? Feeling like they’ll be more prone to sickness? It may be due to the norm that when a baby is fat, it is a sign of good health. This is where the belief that a baby is healthy when fed properly begins.
Let’s figure it out and try to debunk this. This article reads:
- What should the baby's weight be?
- Why is baby is not gaining weight
- How to make baby gain weight fast
What should the baby’s weight be?
Babies come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Weight fluctuates a lot. Full-term newborns weigh an average of 7 pounds, 5 ounces. However, a small percentage of full-term, healthy babies are delivered under or over the normal weight.
The rate at which your baby gains weight will be an essential sign of their general health and development as they grow. At each well-child appointment, your baby's pediatrician will check weight, length, and head size to see if he or she is developing normally.
Average weight of a newborn baby
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a standard that must be followed for infant and child development. The average weight of a newborn baby is in the range of 7 - 7.5 pounds (3.2 kg - 3.4 kg) should.
For full-term healthy newborns, they should be at 2.6 kg to 3.8 kg. A baby can be considered low birth weight if it does not meet the WHO standard.
Average weight of baby for the first year
| Age | Male | Female |
| 50th Percentile | 50th Percentile | |
| 1 Month | 9 lbs 14 oz (4.5 kg) | 9 lbs 4 oz (4.2 kg) |
| 2 Months | 12 lbs 5 oz (5.6 kg) | 11 lbs 4 oz (5.1 kg) |
| 3 Months | 14 lbs (6.4 kg) | 12 lbs 14 oz (5.8 kg) |
| 4 Months | 15 lbs 7 oz (7.0 kg) | 14 lbs 2 oz (6.4 kg) |
| 5 Months | 16 lbs 9 oz (7.5 kg) | 15 lbs 3 oz (6.9 kg) |
| 6 Months | 17 lbs 8 oz (7.9 kg) | 16 lbs 2 oz (7.3 kg) |
| 7 Months | 18 lbs 5 oz (8.3 kg) | 16 lbs 14 oz (7.6 kg) |
| 8 Months | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) | 17 lbs 7 oz (7.9 kg) |
| 9 Months | 19 lbs 10 oz (8.9 kg) | 18 lbs 2 oz (8.2 kg) |
| 10 Months | 20 lbs 3 oz (9.2 kg) | 18 lbs 11 oz (8.5 kg) |
| 11 Months | 20 lbs 12 oz (9.4 kg) | 19 lbs 4 oz (8.7 kg) |
| 12 Months | 21 lbs 3 oz (9.6 kg) | 19 lbs 10 oz (8.9 kg) |
Why is baby not gaining weight?
Your baby's weight is one of many vital indicators that your doctor can use to determine whether or not your baby is developing normally or if there is a cause for worry.
For a variety of reasons, babies may struggle to gain weight. These are some of them:
- suckling difficulties
- vomiting or gagging on milk
- Congenital defect (i.e Cystic Fibrosis)
- not obtaining enough calories or food on a daily basis
- exposure to an illness during pregnancy
- Medical conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and congenital heart disease (CHD)
When a baby doesn't acquire weight as expected, it could indicate issues such as malnutrition or underlying health concern.
Gaining weight is important since it affects your baby's capacity to reach developmental milestones. It's also possible that it'll have a negative effect on their immune system.
Why is my child not gaining weight but growing in height
According to Dr. Kadakkal Radhakrishnan, a pediatric gastroenterologist, your child's general weight trend is typically more crucial than a single weight loss.
It's also crucial to compare their weight to their height to verify that the youngster is gaining weight appropriately for their height. A weight-for-length chart or a BMI (body mass index) chart is used to show the relationship between height and weight.
In Dr. Radhakrishnan’s statement in Cleveland Clinic’s article, he said,
“Sometimes toddlers will lose weight as they become more active. Their weight may drop in relation to their height but the child can still continue to progress at a normal rate for their age.
If there’s a significant drop however in weight within a single measurement, they should be taken to a doctor and re-measured to determine if that drop warrants further action.”
Factors that affect having a skinny baby
Now that we know what a baby's ideal weight is, let's find out what causes them to be thin.
1. Genetics
A baby's weight and size are determined by its genes. If the parents are both skinny, the child may be as well. If the parent is healthy or has a history of obesity, the same thing will happen.
2. Low birth weight
Low fetal weight is caused in large part by genetics. It's possible that they're slim because they were born prematurely. This sluggish weight gain can linger for months. However, as a child's health progresses, it will vary spontaneously over time.
However, don't be afraid to discuss your baby's development with your pediatrician. This will allow you to keep track of her progress, which is especially important if she is a premature baby.
3. Breastfed vs bottle-fed
Although stereotyping may appear, there is a significant difference between breastfed and bottle-fed babies. Formula-fed babies gain weight faster. This is owing to the fact that they are given milk directly and receive a large number of servings.
Breastfed babies are skinny in their first year, according to a recent study. Infants who were bottle-fed, on the other hand, were found to be heavier in their first year.
Skinny baby but healthy? Look at these signs!
Many things influence your child's health. You must keep an eye on their milestones to see if they have been met. This is a wonderful sign that your child is healthy.
1. Key Milestones
Your pediatrician has extensive knowledge of your child’s ideal milestone. Some babies take a long time to achieve this but there are also others that are easy. This is perfectly normal.
It is okay as long as your child's milestones are still in the healthy time frame. When milestones are mentioned, it could include smiling, holding the head, rolling, or attempting to stand up.
2. Baby’s diaper
You also need to keep an eye on the diapers worn by babies. Changing the diaper often when the baby urinates is a good practice. While regular diaper change when they defecate is a sign that their health and temperament are good.
3. Change in diet
If your child's milestones are being missed, consult your pediatrician to see if their diet can be adjusted.
When babies drink breast milk or formula milk, they may not obtain enough nourishment. They require additional vitamins in order to maintain a healthy immune system.
Keep an eye on your youngster if he or she is not developing normally. When your child does not fit into the weight chart or standard growth charts, this is referred to as 'failure to thrive.'
It isn't life-threatening, but it is upsetting. Just make sure to speak with your pediatrician as soon as possible. This could be the result of improper feeding or a change in food.
READ MORE:
Here’s why weight gain during last trimester is good for your baby!
How much weight should a baby gain per month? Here's the newborn weight chart
How to make baby gain weight fast
If you want tips on how to make baby gain weight fast, here are the ones you should know.
Some babies struggle to eat and can't seem to keep up with their peers when it comes to weight gain. If your infant has trouble swallowing, vomits between feeds, appears to have a food allergy, has reflux, or has persistent diarrhea, consult your pediatrician.These difficulties may make it difficult for your kid to absorb the calories he or she requires. After you've ruled out these options, if you and your baby's pediatrician agree that it's required, you can devise a plan to achieve that desired weight growth.
Set a mealtime schedule
Remember that your infant is more in tune with their own needs than the clock throughout the first few months of life. Feed them if they're hungry. You can start establishing set mealtimes when they get older. More of a regimen after 6 months or so may help foster healthy eating habits. That’s the time to start setting aside time to mindfully eat. Make sure to schedule snack time at mid-morning and mid-afternoon because little tummies don’t hold many reserves.Try vitamins and supplements
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfed babies be given an iron supplement starting at 4 months of age, despite the fact that most babies are born with enough iron stores in their bodies to last them for the first 4 months of life.The iron in the formula is sufficient for formula-fed babies. It's also a good idea to include a lot of iron-rich foods in your diet. Consult your pediatrician before starting your baby on vitamins or supplements.
Boost your milk supply
There’s nothing to worry about if your milk production seems to be insufficient to meet your baby's needs. This is a common fear among mothers. Keep your baby close by, breastfeed every hour or two, and try to get some rest to boost your milk supply. The more people you feed, the more people you need to feed.Change your baby’s formula milk
If your kid appears to have a sensitivity or allergy to the formula you're using, you might want to consider switching brands or acquiring breast milk from a milk bank. If your child has signs of reflux, eczema, diarrhea, constipation, or other problems, consult your pediatrician.Don’t worry, mom!
Each baby is different in size or shape. Therefore, they should not be strict with their ideal body weight. A child’s body changes after their first trimester. Proper parental care is important at this time. As parents, we should also teach friends or relatives the ideal body weight in babies. As long as they go through milestones like smiling, crying, and showing consistent growth, you don’t have to worry. Just remember to always follow the pediatrician’s guidance about your child.If you want to read the Filipino version of this article, click here.
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